Near the top of the list of exciting new American cars for 2014 sits the Cadillac CTS. Why is it so exciting? Well, it's because a solid luxury machine looks to be stepping into an even greater world of both quality and performance. The styling is updated and sharper, and it means the next generation CTS-V is just around the corner. The high-performance V machine isn't here yet, however, but that doesn't mean there's a lack of excitement with the 2014 CTS.

Don't believe us? Maybe you should head on over to the configurator and check out what you can put together.

If you're like us, you're going to skip over the 2.0-liter turbo and the 3.6-liter versions. Check that box for the 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V-6-equipped CTS Vsport for the best ride currently in the new Cadillac stable. This gives you a 420-horsepower four-door that sends that power out to the rear wheels. The car is kept stable thanks to the performance suspension paired with the magnetic ride control system. A set of Brembo high-performance brakes can haul the action back down to legal speed.

If you have to ride with whiny passengers that think you're going too fast, you can always slow down and treat them to some fine Cadillac luxury. The CUE system will take care of the tunes, and your front passenger can choose to have his or her backside heated or cooled. Enough of the pampering though... kick them out, put the car in Track mode, and head out to your local canyon run. The badge on the back says Vsport, so go out and burn up your tires a bit.

Of course, we assume you can afford to burn those tires since you just bought a car that starts at a tick under $60,000. Check all the boxes and you wind up north of $70,000. So anyone waiting for the CTS-V... prepare to find yourself in the land of $80,000 cars.

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