The 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon balances the sporty dynamics of the CTS sedan with the utility of a luxury station wagon. In terms of performance, the CTS Sport Wagon reigns supreme among luxury wagons. The CTS Sport Wagon features two powerful engine options, a 270-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 and 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. Equipped with loads of performance and safety-enhancing technology, like traction control and a StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System, test drivers report that the 2011 CTS Sport Wagon handles like a dream.
The 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon carries over essentially unchanged. The new high-performance CTS-V wagon is reviewed separately.
Among the upsides are the 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon's commendable performance, handsome cabin, user-friendly high-tech features and manageable size.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is a five-passenger wagon available in five trim levels: 3.0 base, 3.0 Luxury, 3.0 Performance, 3.6 Performance and 3.6 Premium.
The CTS 3.0 Performance has the Luxury's equipment plus 18-inch wheels, performance brakes, upgraded "FE2" sport-tuned suspension and adaptive HID headlamps. The Luxury Level Two package can be added to the Performance trims and includes rear parking sensors, a split-folding rear seat, heated and cooled front seats, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, keyless ignition/entry and remote engine start.
The navigation system is optional on all but the base CTS. The 19-inch Summer Tire Performance package available on 3.6 models adds 19-inch wheels, summer tires, the FE3 performance suspension and enhanced power steering.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is available with one of two V6 engines. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual are standard with both, while a six-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are available separately. In performance testing, a 3.6 rear-drive Sport Wagon went from zero to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds.
Safety
The CTS's standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and GM's OnStar emergency communications system.
In government crash testing, the 2011 Cadillac CTS was awarded a perfect five stars for side protection.
Interior Design and Special Features
Cargo capacity is obviously important with a wagon, and the CTS provides a generous 25 cubic feet with the rear seats raised and 53.4 cubic feet with them lowered.
Driving Impressions
On the road, the 2011 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is very stable and copes well with quick directional changes. That said, the CTS lacks the dexterity of smaller cars like the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series.
Because of the wagon's sedan roots, it actually rides on the same 113.4-inch wheelbase as the sedan. However, despite having a larger rear cargo area, the wagon actually measures in 0.3 inches shorter than the CTS sedan.
New optional 19 inch wheels round out the CTS Sport Wagon's exterior appearance.
Inside, the Sport Wagon's interior mirrors the CTS sedan's, save for the extra cargo room aft of the rear seats. With the rear seats up, the wagon provides 25 cubic feet of cargo space, with that number expanding to 121.9 cubic feet when the rear seats folded away.
