After acclimatizing to the odd CTS interior, I grew to appreciate all the good that Cadillac has engineered into its baby sedan. Perhaps it's one of those relationships that takes longer to develop than the love-at-first-sight kind, but in the end may be more enduring. Of course, it could just as well be one that gets more annoying with time. Yes, there are things that I would like to see changed before I'd haul a wheelbarrow full of greenbacks into my local GM dealer. But if Cadillac continues to evolve in its current direction it won't be long before it arrives as a major premium player, with the well-healed masses stalking GM sales staff in search of a CTS or some other Cadillac product to satisfy their need for speed and luxury.

The CTS is a worthy effort by Cadillac, and worth a look if you're shopping in the luxury-performance sedan market. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

In the end Cadillac's entry model may fall slightly short of the threshold set by some of the premium brands from Europe and Japan, but it's a worthy effort and one that shouldn't be overlooked by anyone in the enviable luxury-performance sedan market.

Specifications:

• Price Range (MSRP): $39,200 - $58,435
• Body Type: 4-door sedan
• Layout: front engine, RWD
• Engine (base): 220 hp, 218 lb ft torque, 3.2-L (195 cu in), 24-valve, DOHC V6
• Engine (optional): 255 hp, 252 lb ft torque, 3.6-L (220 cu in), 24-valve, DOHC V6
• Transmission: 5-spd auto (5-spd manual in 3.2-L only)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
• Cargo Cap (trunk): 362 L (12.8 cu ft)
• Curb Weight (manual 3.2-L): 1,620 kg (3,509 lbs)
• Curb Weight (auto 3.6-L): 1,676 kg (3,694 lbs)
• Fuel Economy (3.2-L city/hwy): 12.6 / 8.2 L/100 km
• Fuel Economy (3.6-L city/hwy): 13.4 / 7.8 L/100 km
• Warranty (mo/km): 48/80,000 comprehensive
• Direct Competitors: Acura TL, Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Chrysler 300C, Infiniti G35, Lexus IS 300, Lincoln LS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Maxima, Saab 9-3, VW Passat, Volvo S60
• Web Site: www.gmcanada.com