Altogether this is one hot-handling Caddie, helped along by near 50/50-weight distribution. Throw in the added insurance of Stabilitrak and the CTS is a Cadillac full of fun. Cornering is flat, tenacious and predictable. Curvaceous highways and backroads are finally a welcomed sight from behind the wheel of a Cadillac.

The CTS is fast. Not muscle car fast mind you, but fast for a V6 powered 1,676 kg (3,694 lb), 5-occupant 4-door sedan. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Of course handling is only half of the sport sedan equation. The question everyone asks is, "Is it fast?" Well Johnny, ask no more. The CTS is fast. Not muscle car fast mind you, but fast for a V6 powered 1,676 kg (3,694 lb), 5-occupant 4-door sedan. Look for 0 to 100 km/h in the 6.2 to 6.4 second range. A sudden prod at the throttle will result in an immediate downshift, followed by that aforementioned growl best suited to Linda Blair's part in the Exorcist, and a rapid run up the tach at which time the gearbox smoothly inserts a taller gear into the process and the climb up the tach repeats itself. Highway passing power inspires confidence; the steam doesn't peter-out until somewhere well north of the posted limits.

The CTS's traction control is not as refined as some of its competitors. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

Isaac Newton noted that, "what goes up, must come down." In the automotive world this can be interpreted as "what goes must also stop," hence the strong brakes on the CTS. Although I never measured the distance of the several panic stops I undertook to test the 4-wheel discs, my subjective sense is it grinds to a halt rapidly, very rapidly. The anti-lock system cut-in at the appropriate interval and ensured that control was easily maintained. The brakes were fade-free and pedal effort was on the light side, but braking force was easily modulated.

I feel less enthusiastic about the car's traction control. When the system deems it necessary to intervene after detecting wheel-spin, which in the CTS occurs at the rear of the vehicle, it does so in a very intrusive manner. The system seems to cut in and out rapidly, causing some awful banging and jostling from the rear end of the car. It is definitely not as refined as some of its competitors in this regard. Fortunately it can be switched off, but if you like it this way remember that when starting the car up again after it has been shut off the traction control system gets activated by default.