First Glance
The designers at Cadillac have taken great pains to ensure that the line is instantly identifiable at a glance – from little brother CTS to STS to DTS to XLR and even Escalade and SRX, each Caddy looks like it was drawn with a straight edge, not a curve in sight. Big vertically-stacked headlights and taillights, wide grilles and aggressive stances abound. The STS and CTS are very similar-looking even beyond the familial cues – the STS looks like a bigger CTS.The STS manages to look big without looking flabby. The clean, straight lines create an impression of forward motion, and the wedge shape of the front end emphasizes that impression. The STS crouches low to the ground, with its big wheels pushed out toward its corners. Neither meek nor nostalgic, the STS is a bold design that stands apart from the more organic German luxury designs.
Cadillac has not had great luck with bold design choices – remember the first-generation Seville? It remains to be seen whether or not this knife-edged design weathers well. I love the Caddies of the late 1950s with their big fins and over-the-top opulence. The current crop couldn't look more different and still be cars. To borrow another GM line's old slogan, this is not your father's Cadillac.
In The Driver's Seat
Keyless entry and ignition is still a novelty to me, and the STS adds a cool function that I will miss – the car recognizes the remote in your pocket when you reach to open the door, and unlocks automatically. No need to fish for the remote and push the button. Very James Bond.
My test car was outfitted with an $8,285 "Luxury Performance Package" that included heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, eucalyptus wood trim and DVD-based navigation, among other options. Each option is exquisitely rendered, and raises the luxury quotient. The navigation system is great – I can't imagine buying a luxury car without one.
On The Road
When the STS has to live up to the "Sports" part of its name, well, the V6 is much more comfortable with "Luxury." The 3.6 liter V6 pumps out 254 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque, enough to motivate the 3857 lb sedan through most situations in style – but not in a fashion that I'd call "Sports." Tossing the STS through some curves reveals moderate levels of body roll and very good bump absorption, but handling and braking are not confidence-inspiring. If you forget the "Sports" part of the name, the STS is a very good-driving luxury car. It would be great for a road trip, with a very comfortable highway ride that is still connected to the road. But stick to the main roads, and avoid the hilly canyons – the STS doesn't have enough power in its V6 or the right setup in its steering or suspension to perform with a sporting feel.The STS seems to know this – it has a cavernous trunk, and for such a roomy car it gets very good gas mileage: 18 city/27 highway according to EPA estimates. With its 17.5 gallon tank, you could drive from Springfield, MD to Springfield, NH on one tank of gas – well, almost. Just make sure that your rear seat passengers are under 6' tall, or you'll be liable for chiropractic bills when you reach your destination.
Journey's End
On the level of driving experience, the BMW 5-series is still much sportier than the STS V6. BMW's concept of luxury is different than Cadillac's – less lush, a little sparer. Mercedes' E-class is a good benchmark as well – if you're considering the STS, you have to drive both the BMW and the Mercedes. Take a look at the Lexus GS 430 and Acura RL as well, and while you're at it, drive the fantastic Infiniti M35, my favorite car in the class.
A few years ago, Cadillac was so far behind the competition that it wasn't even in the same battle. The STS V6 Luxury Sports sedan may have hit an entirely unintended target in the car wars: the hip old dude.
