The Cadillac CTS Wagon is a plum machine, and one so rare you may never pass yourself going the other way on any road, worldwide.

Available with a rear-drive 3.0-liter V6, or the upgraded 3.6-liter in rear-drive or AWD, this is a massively practical car that just happens to be gorgeous.

It would be my pick in a heartbeat over the CTS Coupe, but versus the new sedan? That is a toss-up.

What the Wagon does bring is that intangible sense of coolness that every fast wagon driver will know and love. What does that actually earn you?

• Nods of respect among car-guy cognoscenti

• Exemptions from speeding tickets (once they see it is a wagon, I have literally watched officers roll their eyes as my Legacy GT zooms past…)

• Space to haul kids, buddies, dogs and cargo that many of the latest SUV’s could not even accommodate.

• A better weight distribution for even more tail-happiness than a golden retriever.

58-cubic-feet of space is available in the CTS Wagon with the seats down, or a full 26 with them all upright. That is huge. And useful!

But the best part of all? Not only is there a CTS-V Wagon with a stick-shift or automatic — but it barely looks different from the base V6 cars!

That is what is called a Win-Win in my book.

The CTS-V Wagon totals about $75,000 when equipped like mine below with the moonroof, Recaro seats, automatic transmission, and a few other comfort goodies. The base is $65,825.

But with the blacked-out Touring package on a 3.6-liter car? Just a few clicks above the base price of $43,000. A great value for a great car.

In a final note: this Cadillac of Europe photographer is awesome. It feels like the same style as the ATS photos from Bonn — and he is really talented. More, please!

ABOVE: CTS-V

BELOW: CTS 3.6 Touring

 

My Favorite CTS-V Colors

CTS-V Wagon Gallery

 

 

INTERIORS

OFFICIAL from Cadillac below.

New for 2014

• Exterior colors: Phantom Gray Metallic, Mocha Steel Metallic, Red Obsession Tintcoat and Majestic Plum Metallic

2014 CADILLAC CTS SPORT WAGON BLENDS STYLE WITH CARGO CAPABILITY

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is a progressive take on the classic American wagon body that delivers style, function and efficiency – including up to an estimated 26 mpg on the highway.

The CTS Sport Wagon is offered as a well-equipped Luxury model and two option collections: Performance and Premium. All models offer seating for five or up to 58 cubic feet (1,642 liters) of cargo space with the rear seat folded. CTS Touring and Performance packages that enhance the appearance and sporty driving feel are available.

The Luxury model features a 3.0L V-6, while Performance and Premium Collections come with a 3.6L V-6. Both engines feature direct-injection technology and EPA highway mileage ratings of 26 mpg. All-wheel drive is available, giving this stylish and versatile wagon a greater measure of capability.

Continuous improvements have helped keep the CTS family at the top of customer consideration lists and earned it critical praise. That tradition continues in 2014, as the CTS Sport Wagon offers four new exterior color choices: Phantom Gray Metallic, Majestic Plum Metallic (available at an extra cost), Mocha Steel Metallic and Red Obsession Tintcoat (available at an extra cost).

The CTS Sport Wagon complements a range of models and body styles that includes the all-new 2014 CTS Sedan, Wagon and the high-performance V-Series. Please see separate releases for CTS Sedan and CTS Coupe. Also, please see the separate release for CTS-V Wagon.

CTS Touring Package and Performance Packages

The CTS Touring Package edition is available on Luxury and Premium Collections. Highlights include:

• Eighteen-inch painted pearl nickel wheels (Luxury) or 19-inch polished aluminum wheels (Premium)

• Microfiber suede-trimmed steering wheel rim and shift knob

• Sport alloy pedals

• Chrome door handles

• Sport grille and V-Series center brake light

• Midnight Sapele wood trim package

• Microfiber sueded fabric seat inserts in Ebony or Light Titanium and Recaro performance seats in the Premium Touring Package.

The 18-inch All-Season Tire Performance Package is included on the Luxury Collection when equipped with the Touring package and is standard on Performance and Premium Collections. It features:

• Eighteen-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires – multi-coat painted-finish wheels standard on Performance and high-polished wheels standard on Premium (available on Performance)

• Unique 18-inch painted pearl nickel finish wheels with Touring Package on Luxury

• High-intensity discharge headlamps

• Fog lamps

• Limited-slip differential (AWD models)

• Performance brakes (AWD models)

• Sport suspension.

Also available on Performance and Premium Collections is the 19-inch Summer Tire Performance Package (RWD models only), which adds or substitutes the following features to the equipment roster included with the standard Performance Package:

• Nineteen-inch polished aluminum wheels with P245/45ZR19 Y-rated performance tires

• Steering wheel-mounted paddle shift controls

• Performance cooling

• Limited-slip differential

• Performance brakes

• Performance suspension.

There is also a 19-inch All-Season Tire Package available on Performance and Premium Collections.

CTS Sport Wagon design and exterior features

The CTS Sport Wagon is essentially the same size as the CTS Sedan on the outside, but its unique cargo compartment nearly doubles carrying capacity, with 25.4 cubic feet (720 liters) of space behind the rear seats; and 58 cubic feet (1,642 liters) with the rear seat folded. Design highlights include:

• Signature V-shaped deck and tailgate motif

• Large, vertical taillamps with light-pipe technology

• Power-opening liftgate (via key fob or in-vehicle button)

• CHMSL-integrated roof spoiler

• Integrated roof load management system with cross bars for a seamless appearance

• Cargo management system with adjustable in-floor containment

• Large available panoramic rear sunroof.

Additional standard and available exterior features include:

• Halogen headlamps are standard on Luxury

• High-intensity discharge headlamps with Adaptive Forward Lighting System are standard on Performance and Premium and available on Luxury

• Power liftgate is standard on all models

• Rainsense automatic windshield wipers are standard on Luxury and Premium and available on Performance

• Seventeen-inch aluminum wheels are standard on Base and Luxury

• Eighteen-inch aluminum wheels are standard Performance and Premium Collections and available on Luxury with the Touring Package

• Nineteen-inch polished aluminum wheels are available on Performance and Premium

• Exterior colors: Red Obsession Tintcoat (extra cost); Phantom Gray Metallic, Majestic Plum Metallic, Mocha Steel Metallic, Radiant Silver Metallic, Black Raven, Black Diamond Tricoat, White Diamond Tricoat, Opulent Blue Metallic and Silver Coast Metallic.

CTS Sport Wagon interior

The interior of the CTS Sport Wagon emphasizes technical precision with hand-crafted details. An integrated center stack design – with a satin metallic finish – blends into the lower instrument panel that sweeps forward and away from front-seat occupants.

Available heated and ventilated seats incorporate “thin-seat” technology for maximum occupant comfort and enhanced rear-seat leg, knee and foot room. French stitching is used throughout the interior, including the upper instrument panel, door inserts, seats and the shifter boot.

Standard and available features include:

• Audio system with navigation, including AM/FM stereo, CD/DVD player, MP3 playback, Bose Surround Sound with 10 speakers, 40-gig hard drive and USB with audio connectivity, is standard on Premium and available on Luxury and Performance

• Bluetooth phone connectivity is standard on all models

• Keyless entry and keyless start features are standard on Premium and available on Performance

• Ambient lighting package is standard on Luxury and Premium and available on Performance

• Ultrasonic rear park assist is standard on Premium and available on Performance

• Adaptive remote vehicle starting is standard on all models

• Heated front seats are standard and ventilated seats are standard on Premium and available on Performance

• Leather-trimmed steering wheel with wood trim is standard on Luxury and Premium and available on Performance

• Heated steering wheel is standard on Premium and available on Performance

• Steering wheel-mounted controls for audio, cruise and Bluetooth systems are standard on all models

• UltraView power sunroof is standard on Premium and available on all other models

• Wood trim packages with Sapele wood accents are standard on Premium and Luxury and available Performance

• Interior color and trim choices: Ebony seats with Ebony accents, Light Titanium seats with Light Titanium accents, Cashmere seats with Cocoa accents, Ebony seats with Ebony microfiber suede inserts (Touring Package only) and Light Titanium seats with Light Titanium microfiber suede inserts (Touring Package only).

 

 

 

CTS Sport Wagon powertrains

A 3.0L direct-injected V-6 is the standard engine in Base and Luxury models and is rated at 270 horsepower (201 kW). Along with direct injection technology, the 3.0L engine employs continuously variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Highway fuel economy on 3.0L-equipped rear-wheel drive models is 27 mpg.

The CTS Sport Wagon’s 3.6L direct-injected V-6 is standard in the Performance and Premium Collections and delivers an SAE-certified 318 horsepower (237 kW). Lightweight features help reduce overall weight for greater efficiency and a more favorable front-to-rear weight balance. Examples include a composite intake manifold that saves approximately 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) over the weight of a comparable aluminum intake and an integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design that saves approximately 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine.

The Hydra-Matic 6L45 six-speed automatic transmission is standard on all CTS Sport Wagon RWD models. The 6L50 six-speed is featured on AWD models.

CTS Sport Wagon chassis and suspension

The CTS chassis enables a great balance of performance and luxury. The hardware includes structural enhancements via a tower-to-tower brace; large, four-wheel disc brakes and a ZF steering rack. Four suspension tuning packages are available: base, performance (standard on 3.6L models and optional on 3.0L models), 19-inch performance all-season and the summer tire performance package with a summer-only 19-inch tire (RWD only).

Suspension tuning for the CTS Sport Wagon is different than Sedan and Coupe models, with larger-diameter stabilizer bars and specific spring rates. The Performance suspension is available on Performance and Premium trim levels with RWD. It includes 19-inch aluminum wheels and summer tires, rear load leveling and speed-sensitive variable-assist steering.

Additional features and details include:

• An independent short/long arm (SLA) front suspension system is standard on all models, featuring low-mass aluminum for the upper and lower control arms, as well as the knuckles

• A multi-link rear suspension with a fully isolated subframe is standard on all models

• StabiliTrak electronic chassis control system is standard. It is integrated with the car’s standard four-channel ABS with the full-function traction control, as well as the hydraulic brake assist and engine control systems

• Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is standard.

CTS Sport Wagon safety and crash-avoidance features

CTS Sport Wagon is designed to enhance Cadillac’s reputation for providing safe occupant environments in luxury vehicles. Standard and available features include:

• Dual-stage driver front air bag

• Segment-first dual depth front passenger air bag

• Driver and front passenger side seat-mounted pelvic/thorax side air bags

• Roof-rail side curtain air bags with rollover protection technology that cover front and rear seating rows

• Front safety belt pretensioners

• Tire pressure monitoring system

• Body structure with strategically placed high-strength steel

• Active head restraints for front seat occupants

• Ultrasonic rear parking assist

• Rearview camera system.