2008 Cadillac CTS 4 from North America

Summary:

Bold design, quick performance, and slightly above average build quality

Faults:

There have been a couple of recalls on this particular vehicle, which include the door handles potentially freezing if water got in the seams, and check engine light stayed on, which was fixed by a software update.

The recall that challenged me not to challenge Cadillac was the removal of the heated washer fluid system. This is a Cadillac, they have engineered some of the most innovative vehicle technologies in past, but they are not able to find a solution to their heated washer fluid system? Sounds minor however; just a peeve.

Other than recalls, there have been no issues with this car in the 2.5 years owned.

General Comments:

-The car has striking looks whether you like the design or not, it does grab attention.

- 3.6L DI V6 (304HP) engine is a great performer.

- Cadillac's AWD system is great in Canadian winters.

- Bose 9 speaker stereo system sounds pretty good.

- Cadillac customer service is actually pretty good.

- Onstar integration quite handy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th April, 2011

2008 Cadillac CTS 4 from North America

Summary:

Cadillac? Oh, please!

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car.

General Comments:

This car was an inheritance. If I didn't inherit it, I would have never bought one. I was never a Cadillac fan.

The car is not particularly fast and handling is not that impressive. My last car is about as fun to drive. I never thought of driving to be fun. I never pimped any cars, and they never appealed to me. I see a car as an appliance like a toaster or a washing machine.

The comfort is about average. The seats are sculpted properly, but they remain rock hard after eight months of ownership between my parents and me. Visibility in all directions is good from the driver seat, and there is sufficient space inside for passengers. I think five people would be a stretch, though, as hip room and leg room are snug.

The car is downright ugly. The profile looks blah, and the front looks goofy with the grille.

I have not gone to the dealer for anything yet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th August, 2009

4th Jan 2010, 15:58

The car was inherited by your parents and has needed nothing. You freely admit a car is equal to a blender or DVD player in your mind, yet you bother to write a review. Why would you care if the car is ugly? It transports you from A to B without breaking down. Drive it or sell it, but don't complain.

20th Jan 2010, 14:22

Let me piggy back on to the first poster.

Don't waste your time with that ugly car that you are unhappy with, I will pick the car up off your hands for free and treat it far better than you.

One other thing, when your friends went GA GA over the car and told you you were lucky, then you really saw the CTS in all its glory, and right now you just peeped out the window to look at it.

Now admit it, you're in love with the CTS.

13th Jan 2012, 03:14

I totally disagree. Even the Honda dealer admitted that the CTS is one of the sexiest cars around. The interior is equally awesome, and the 270 hp takes off like a rocket. It corners very well, and gets better fuel mileage than my Impala or 2004 LeSabre.

17th Jul 2015, 13:04

To the second poster, if I was the owner of this CTS, you could gladly have it -- if you could afford to keep it on the road.

17th Jul 2015, 13:06

I had a 2000 LeSabre, and driving in cruise control on flat highways, it would get 40 MPG. The CTS would never see 20 in the same conditions. Forget what the EPA tells you, try real world mileage.

2008 Cadillac CTS 3.6 port injection from North America

Summary:

Wonderful car, and the size is just right!

Faults:

Nothing except a flat tire.

General Comments:

This is our first Cadillac in many, many years.

Compared to our 07 Chevrolet Malibu, the Cadillac rides noticeably smoother and drives with fewer steering corrections needed. The steering is quite German, which is to my liking.

I like the contrast when switching from one of our other cars to the Cadillac CTS. It feels like it is as solid as a rock, very strong, very safe, very comfortable and quiet enough.

The individual temperature control setting for both the driver and the front passenger is a very nice and I would even say useful feature. The built-in dash compass was useful, but is no longer needed as we have a GPS unit.

The edgy styling of the CTS is very visible; makes many of the competitors, some hugely more expensive, appear plain by comparison or similar to their lower priced brands. The CTS is not invisible in traffic like so many other luxury cars are. Some brands are finally making efforts to change this a little for themselves.

The engine runs perfectly, has a very relaxed pace at highway speeds and idles very smoothly. Fuel mileage with mostly highway, but some city driving using 10% ethanol runs about 26 mpg with 87 octane recommended, also a nice feature.

The heating and cooling controls could be simplified so that they are more intuitive. Windshield defrost is tricky to find.

The DIC (Driver Information Control) switches have duplicate functions and could be consolidated a little.

The console storage compartments could be larger like our Malibu's.

The power window controls were too touchy at first until we got used to them. It was too easy to push the control too hard so that a window would go all the way up or down when only an adjustment was wanted.

Another positive feature noted when running the Cadillac is that other drivers seem to be less pushy; are less inclined to tailgate when we are in less of a hurry and are in the right lane, of course.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st July, 2009