With 556 horsepower on tap, mashing the accelerator produces the type of thrust normally associated with fighter aircraft, and the car’s suspension, seating and brakes are equally impressive.
If there’s a drawback to the CTS-V, it would be the car’s $64,000 starting price, which jumps to nearly $70,000 when you add the Recaro seats, suede steering wheel and polished aluminum wheels. Given the car’s performance potential, that’s still one hell of a bargain, but let’s be honest: how many of us can afford to buy a $70,000 sedan?
Cadillac feels our pain, which is why the automaker is introducing a “Touring Package” option for the 3.0-liter V-6 and 3.6-liter V-6 Cadillac CTS models. While the packages won’t make the CTS any faster, it will enhance the driving experience by borrowing interior bits from the CTS-V.
Opting for the $2,065 Touring Package on 3.0-liter V-6 CTS sedans or wagons will get you 18-inch pearl nickel finish wheels, dual exhausts, a dark finish grille, HID headlamps and fog lamps, suede seat inserts, a suede steering wheel and shifter, midnight Sapele wood trim and metal pedals.
If you choose a CTS sedan, coupe or wagon with the 3.6-liter V-6, the Touring Package jumps to $2,810 in price but includes more content. You get the Recaro sport seats (which cost $3,400 on their own in the CTS-V), plus the suede steering wheel and shifter, midnight Sapele wood trim, dark finish grille, metal pedals and polished 19-inch wheels.
Sedan and Coupe buyers opting for the Touring Package will also get the wing-shaped high-center brake light from the CTS-V, which isn't available on Sport Wagon models.
For those who want improved handling, Cadillac is also offering the FE3 performance suspension, which nets you steering-wheel-mounted mounted paddle shifters for the six-speed automatic as well as stiffer springs and dampers.
Starting prices for the CTS lineup are $36,750 for the Sedan, $39,590 for the Coupe and $39,890 for the Sport Wagon. A Sedan with the 3.6-liter V-6 and the Touring Package will set you back $45,975, which is a whole lot more attainable for most people than a $70,000 CTS-V.