2010 Cadillac CTS-V Car Review

The latest in a line of performance-focused V-Series cars from Cadillac, the Cadillac CTS-V packs a version of the Chevy Corvette ZR1 engine and takes aim at some of the leading sport sedans from Germany. The 2010 Cadillac CTS-V is based on the more mainstream CTS luxury sedan but is more exclusive, built in small numbers, and considerably more expensive.

Last year the CTS-V was reintroduced as a much more aggressively styled and more powerful vehicle, picking up the refinements inside and out that the CTS gained for ‘08. That’s to say, the CTS-V isn’t as smooth or rakish as rival sedans in this class; from either the front or rear, it’s boxy and angular, though the roofline and door lines help soften the proportions a bit. Taking a closer look, there are plenty of details to appreciate, including jewel-like headlamps, meshlike upper and lower grilles, a well-sculpted front fascia, and integrated fog lamps in front; in back Cadillac’s vertical tail lamps flank the corners, and the trunklid crease is lined with a spoilerlike strip of LEDs. V-Series badging and chrome side vents also help distinguish the V, and flashy 19-inch wheels, polished or painted, have V-shaped spoke segments and showcase the heavy-duty Brembo brake hardware. Overall, the exterior is different and probably won’t appeal to everyone, but inside, the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V follows smoother yet still very fashionable design. Trim alongside the doors extends across the instrument panel from both sides and slopes downward into a V-shaped center console that contains audio and climate controls and additional vents, LED accent lighting is piped in, and an available navigation display retracts neatly into the dash when not in use.

The lusty 6.2-liter, supercharged V-8 engine in the 2010 CTS-V makes an impressive 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque—enough to outgun other top sports sedans from Germany. Performance times have come in at just under four seconds to 60 mph either with the standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic, with a top speed of 191 mph. In real-world driving, the tremendous torque of this engine can pin you back to your seat in just about any situation, yet a well-calibrated throttle makes it easy to take off smoothly and gently. The six-speed manual gearbox is precise, with a light clutch, while the automatic comes with paddle shifters that allow manual selection if you shift to a separate gate. All this power is made enjoyable through great handling, aided by GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, which uses a magnetically sensitive fluid in the dampers to almost instantaneously firm up or soften the suspension. It allows a supple ride on rough roads and crisp body control when it’s needed. The system has a Sport mode, and the StabiliTrack stability control system uses a Competitive Driving Mode to make the most of the balanced chassis, powerful engine, and huge brakes—all enhanced with sticky Z-rated Michelin PS2 summer performance tires.

Interior comfort is good in the CTS-V, especially if you’re sitting out front in the well-bolstered leather sport seats or the even better available Recaro seats—finished in a breathable and grippy microfiber—that add lateral support for high-performance driving and supportive thigh extensions for taller drivers. The backseats are a little tight, but there’s enough space for two adults in reasonable comfort. The instrument panel is a love-hate thing; it’s attractive, with some impressive features and design details, but rather cluttered overall, with the climate controls especially low, near the driver’s knee.

The 2010 Cadillac CTS-V gets good crash-test ratings, but they’re not quite top-notch in all areas. The Cadillac CTS—which has virtually the same structure—gets four stars for frontal crash protection and five stars for side crash protection from the federal government. However, it garners very impressive "good" scores in IIHS frontal offset, side, and rear tests. Cadillac’s excellent StabiliTrak stability control system with a special track-oriented performance mode is standard along with anti-lock braking, front side airbags, and head curtain airbags for front and rear outboard passengers.

The Cadillac CTS-V is offered as a single model, pretty much including everything that’s expected in a traditional luxury car plus a few additional tech features. Xenon HID headlamps, Adaptive Forward Lighting, ultrasonic rear parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, heated power front seats, and dual-zone climate control are all there. So is a surround-sound audio system with a 40GB hard drive, USB connectivity, DVD compatibility, and a Bluetooth interface. Upgrade to the navigation system and you get one of the best screens we’ve tested; the sharp color screen functions as a radio display when stowed but extends upward when using nav functions. It also incorporates XM NavTraffic to provide live traffic information on maps and dynamic rerouting. Cadillac also provides a place to put the keyfob for the handy EZ key entry system, which can be set to automatically unlock the doors as you approach.

• Confident and easy to drive
• Suspension and brakes ready for track time
• Magnetic dampers provide a smooth ride
• Attractive interior design
• Top-notch materials and trims

• Crowded, cluttered instrument panel
• Steering doesn’t have much road feel
• Manual shift gate required to use paddle-shifters

In recent years Cadillac revived its focus on quality and interior refinement, and by nearly all accounts, the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V has a very impressive cabin.

Interior comfort is good in the CTS-V, especially if you’re sitting in front in the well-bolstered leather sport seats or the even better available Recaro seats—finished in a breathable and grippy microfiber—that add lateral support for high-performance driving and supportive thigh extensions for taller drivers. The 2010 CTS-V officially seats five, though four adults is more realistic. Up front, reviewers can’t stop mentioning the optional Recaro racing seats, which Autoblog says "have adjustable thigh supports, as well as adjustable everything else." ConsumerGuide reports that the "standard sport seats are comfortable yet supportive in fast cornering," but the Cadillac CTS-V’s "optional Recaro-brand seats have handy power-adjustable bolsters to dial in ideal comfort/support ratio."

The rear seats don’t receive nearly as much press, but ConsumerGuide finds "adequate rear-seat space, though larger adults will feel crowded" and the "marginal headroom is further reduced by the available sunroof."

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is, for the most part, a practical daily driver. However, the Cadillac CTS-V suffers somewhat when it comes to cargo space. ConsumerGuide reports that the "usefulness of the boxy trunk is compromised by a small opening," although the "interior storage includes an average-sized center console and glovebox." Edmunds reviewers agree, claiming that "loading bulky items into the 13.6-cubic-foot trunk is hampered by a very short deck."

Most reviewers are very impressed with the assembly quality and materials used for the 2010 CTS-V interior. Edmunds notes that "materials are high in quality, and the level of detailing in this car is comparable to the top import nameplates." Other reviewers agree wholeheartedly, with ConsumerGuide claiming the "luxury-grade trim rivals the best in this highly competitive class." Road & Track reviewers "particularly like the piano black interior trim," while Automobile Magazine appreciates that "shiny black trim and bits of chrome keep things from looking too dour inside." Autoblog adds that the Cadillac CTS-V has "some upgraded trim like micro-fiber inserts in the seats and around [the] steering wheel that feel rich to the touch and look great."

The cabin is also among the quietest and most refined in this class, and at interstate cruising speeds, you’d hardly know that you’re in one of the world’s most powerful sport sedans. ConsumerGuide says that "wind noise is well muted, but engine and tire noise are relatively pronounced," but Autoblog differs, mentioning that the exhaust note on the Cadillac CTS-V is "louder than a base CTS but far less than a typical aftermarket exhaust system." Cars.com remarks that "there’s a nice exhaust sound when you really lay on it, but the CTS-V is otherwise remarkably quiet for what it is."

The lusty 6.2-liter, supercharged V-8 engine in the 2010 CTS-V makes an impressive 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque—enough to outgun other top sports sedans from Germany. Performance times have come in at just under four seconds to 60 mph either with the standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic, with a top speed of 191 mph.

Jalopnik explains that while the engine in the Cadillac CTS-V is borrowed from the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, it makes a bit less power in the CTS-V: “a not-quite-as-ridiculous 551 lb-ft and 556 hp." These numbers are still groundbreaking for a sedan, and enough for Motor Trend to declare the Cadillac CTS-V "the fastest, most powerful American sedan in history." Jalopnik calls it "the fastest production sedan in the world."

In real-world driving, the tremendous torque of this engine can pin you back to your seat in just about any situation, yet a well-calibrated throttle makes it easy to take off smoothly and gently. The six-speed manual gearbox is precise, with a light clutch, while the automatic comes with paddle shifters that allow manual selection if you shift to a separate gate. All this power is made enjoyable through great handling, aided by GM’s Magnetic Ride Control, which uses a magnetically sensitive fluid in the dampers to almost instantaneously firm up or soften the suspension. It allows a supple ride on rough roads and crisp body control when it’s needed. The system has a Sport mode, and the StabiliTrack stability control system uses a Competitive Driving Mode to make the most of the balanced chassis, powerful engine, and huge brakes—all enhanced with sticky Z-rated Michelin PS2 summer performance tires.

Cars.com mentions that "the torque band [is]...broad enough, and the sound level is low enough at high revs, that it’s easy to crash into the rather hard rev limiter." Effortless delivery doesn’t mean docile acceleration, though; ConsumerGuide claims that the Cadillac CTS-V can hit 60 mph "in 3.9 seconds with either manual or automatic transmission," which is faster than many of today’s purebred sports cars. Road & Track jokingly comments that "the speedometer in this car is pointless; it should just be a sticker that says ’You’re speeding.’"

Whether you choose the six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic, you really can’t go wrong in the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V; both earn high praise in reviews read by TheCarConnection.com—particularly the manual. ConsumerGuide says it "works smoothly, with a precise but meaty feel," while Cars.com raves about the "pleasing short-throw shifter and ratios matched to the engine’s hearty grunt." As for the automatic, Road & Track reviewers note that it "offers an enjoyable experience," thanks to "quick upshifts and rev-matched downshifts that can be controlled by paddles on the steering wheel." However, as experts at TheCarConnection.com have mentioned, using the paddles first requires that you shift the drive selector into the manual shift gate, which can be annoying.

While the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V has the acceleration times to meet or beat most of the world’s fastest sport sedans, not everyone is completely enthused about the way the CTS-V steers. Starting with the criticisms, Cars.com says "the one line that could use strengthening is the steering, which doesn’t have the feedback of the best track cars"—an opinion shared in several reviews read by TheCarConnection.com.

Although the steering could use some work by some accounts, comments about the CTS-V’s handling are universally positive, with most reviewers pointing to how well the suspension soaks up bumps, too. Autoblog finds "it’s a nice balance that lets you know you’re driving a serious automobile with very serious sporting pretensions, but that it doesn’t mind getting up and going to work each morning," and Automobile Magazine reports that Cadillac CTS-V’s "ability to provide a civilized ride along with blistering track performance is largely a credit of the latest-generation Magnetic Ride Control," which features "variable dampers" in the shock-absorption system capable of "adjusting their firmness level every millisecond." ConsumerGuide concludes that the CTS-V provides "tenacious grip in turns, and tremendously powerful brakes."

With its huge, supercharged V-8, the CTS-V has, as you might expect, quite unimpressive fuel economy figures. With the automatic, it’s rated at 12 mpg city, 19 highway, while the manual comes in at 14/19 mpg.

Last year the CTS-V was reintroduced as a much more aggressively styled and more powerful vehicle, picking up the refinements inside and out that the CTS gained for ‘08.

Most—but not all—reviewers appreciate the bold styling of the CTS-V, which isn’t as smooth or rakish as rival sedans in this class. "Cadillac’s faceted-design language has really come into its own in the second-generation CTS," says Automobile Magazine, opining that Cadillac "doesn’t screw it up with a lot of gratuitous, ’sporty’ add-ons." There are some visual distinctions, though, and Autoblog points out that the Cadillac CTS-V "stands out in a crowd more than either its lesser siblings or its predecessor," thanks to the fact that "the big mesh grille now has twice the open area of the previous V." Motor Trend reviewers also mention the "satin-finish mesh grille, deeper front and rear fascias, and ominously bulged hood."

Taking a closer look, there are plenty of details to appreciate, including jewel-like headlamps, meshlike upper and lower grilles, a well-sculpted front fascia, and integrated fog lamps in front; in back Cadillac’s vertical tail lamps flank the corners and the trunklid crease is lined with a spoilerlike strip of LEDs. V-Series badging and chrome side vents also help distinguish the V, and flashy 19-inch wheels, polished or painted, have V-shaped spoke segments and showcase the heavy-duty Brembo brake hardware. One of the more innovative styling touches, according to Automobile Magazine, "is the rear CHMSL (center high-mounted stop light), which is reshaped to add downforce at high speeds, eliminating the need for a rear spoiler."

Overall, the exterior is different and probably won’t appeal to everyone, but inside, the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V follows smoother yet still very fashionable design. Trim alongside the doors extends across the instrument panel from both sides and slopes downward into a V-shaped center console that contains audio and climate controls and additional vents, LED accent lighting is piped in, and an available navigation display retracts neatly into the dash when not in use. Jalopnik asks, "Know how awkward most current BMW interiors are and how cheap most current Mercedes feel? The CTS-V is better. Seriously." Compared to the standard CTS, "the gauges on the CTS-V are noticeably different," featuring "red tracers [that] follow the sweeping needles and add a technical sophistication," Road & Track points out. Automobile Magazine says that the "cabin manages to look both purposeful and classy," thanks to an interior "set off by the varying textures of its materials." ConsumerGuide is one of the few voices criticizing the interior, contending it "puts form over function when it comes to the use of major controls," since "the v-shape center console stack puts most buttons into a smallish area of the dashboard."

The 2010 Cadillac CTS-V gets good crash-test ratings, but they’re not quite top-notch in all areas. The Cadillac CTS—which has virtually the same structure—gets four stars for frontal crash protection and five stars for side crash protection from the federal government. However, it earns very impressive "good" scores in IIHS frontal offset, side, and rear tests.

Cadillac’s excellent StabiliTrak stability control system, with a special track-oriented performance mode, is standard on the 2010 CTS-V, along with anti-lock braking, front side airbags, active head restraints, and head curtain airbags for front and rear outboard passengers.

Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com rave about the standard stability control system, which Automobile Magazine says has "three levels of computer control: full on, competition mode (traction control off and stability control allowing more leeway), and full off." Motor Trend also notes that the Cadillac CTS-V offers an "optional advanced traction-control system called Performance Traction Management, which will allow the driver to select up to six different traction thresholds."

As with many of today’s new vehicles, the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V suffers from impaired visibility from the driver’s seat. ConsumerGuide is disappointed to find that the "rakish roof line hurts visibility...with thick rear pillars being a particular hindrance to the outward view."

The Cadillac CTS-V is offered as a single model, pretty much including everything that’s expected in a traditional luxury car, plus a few additional tech features.

Xenon HID headlamps, Adaptive Forward Lighting, ultrasonic rear parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, heated power front seats, and dual-zone climate control are all included. So is a surround-sound audio system with a 40GB hard drive, USB connectivity, DVD compatibility, and a Bluetooth interface. Cadillac also provides a place to put the keyfob for the handy EZ key entry system, which can be set to automatically unlock the doors as you approach.

Upgrade to the navigation system and you get one of the best screens we’ve tested; the sharp color screen functions as a radio display when stowed but extends upward when using nav functions. It also incorporates XM NavTraffic to provide live traffic information on maps as well as dynamic rerouting. ConsumerGuide reports that "the navigation screen is large and legible, and quickly powers up or down."

Plenty of review sources take note of the standard and optional tech features in the CTS-V. ConsumerGuide says that "features include steering-linked headlamps and keyless entry and ignition," Motor Trend reports that the Cadillac CTS-V comes with "all the usual CTS goodies, such as the 40-gig hard-drive entertainment system, pop-up sat-nav, Bluetooth capability, and Bose digital surround audio."

Because the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V already comes with the works, the options list is limited to a few features—most of them aimed at those who want the best possible performance or might take their vehicle to the track on weekends. Motor Trend notes that that the available Performance Pack includes "metal-faced pedals" and Cadillac’s new "Performance Traction Management." But by far, the upgraded Recaro sport seats are the most talked-about option. Cars.com says "you’ll pay somewhere north of $2,000 for optional Recaro sport seats, which are higher in overall quality" and offer a much improved driving experience in the Cadillac CTS-V. Autoblog reviewers "recommend opting for the 14-way Recaros—you won’t be sorry."