Few icons are as synonymous with the American automobile as Cadillac and the station wagon, so it may come as a surprise that Cadillac has never officially offered a station wagon to American customers in its 106-year long history. Sure, there was the SRX Crossover that came rather close, and the enormous Escalade SUV, as well. The all-new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon takes driving to the next level while offering all the luxuries you’ve come to expect from Cadillac. As Cadillac’s first-ever North American wagon, the 2010 CTS was designed to offer the cargo space of an SUV with the compactness of a sedan.
Not surprisingly, the CTS Sport Wagon powertrains are identical to those of the sedan. A 3.6L 263 hp V-6 sits as the base engine in the U.S. with the direct-injection 3.6L V-6 making 304 hp as the top engine. As on the sedan, potential wagon buyers must choose between an Aisin six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, and between rear and all-wheel drive. With EPA highway ratings expected to be in the mid-twenties, the wagon should garner a few more MPG overall than bigger crossovers.
Created as an alternative to larger utility vehicles, the CTS Sport Wagon promises the same stylish good looks and competent handling as its sedan counterpart, but with the added utility and cargo space of a wagon.
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. 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.
The wagon’s interior features streamlined instrumentation, LED lighting, an integrated center stack design available in either a satin metallic finish or genuine Sapele Pommele wood, and a center console that provides a sportier “cockpit” feel. Add the optional heated and ventilated seats, which incorporate “thin-seat” technology, for maximum comfort and enhanced leg room.
Annual production of the wagon should total between 10,000 and 12,000 units, with half of those vehicles earmarked for markets other than the U.S. With a starting price of $39,830, the car thoroughly crushes its remaining German rivals for the price. Our optioned-out performance package came with heated and cooled seats, XM radio, 18″ Contisport 3 summer tires, more aggressive suspension tuning, a faster steering ratio and stiffer anti-roll bar.
If you’re in the market for a luxury vehicle that is as functional as it is sleek, Cadillac’s new take on the wagon is an ideal choice. So, it’s time to say goodbye to the wood-paneled wagon of the past and say hello to the 2010 CTS Sport Wagon.