First Glance
The completely re-designed and re-engineered rear wheel drive Cadillac STS was introduced as a 2005 model. It has a very smooth, almost streamlined shape; it's much rounder than the edgy CTS with which it shares chassis components. As a huge fan of the CTS, I found the STS's egg shape somewhat off-putting at first. However, after spending just a few hours with it, I had completely changed my mind.Frankly, what first prompted me to re-think my opposition was the reasonable base price of the V-6 equipped model. Now I like a V-8 as much as the next fool but I don't like it when it prices a model I might otherwise like completely out of my financial ballpark. With the V-6, I get almost everything - no, everything - I'd want on my own STS without the extravagantly high price, which admittedly includes a lot of neat gadgetry. However, most of this stuff is, totally unnecessary on a driver's automobile like this.
The STS is available with both V-8 and V-6 engines. Starting in the 2006 model year, AWD, which is currently only available with the V-8 can be ordered with the V-6 as well. However, with good tires and traction control, you don't really need it. Personally, I wouldn't bother.
In the Driver's Seat
While very much in keeping with the current styling idiom, the high sill and high dash will take a bit of getting used to for people who haven't bought a new car in a while. I found it a bit claustrophobic at first, although after a few hours behind the wheel I'd gotten used to it.
The STS is a big car. Not big like the your uncle's old Coupe de Ville, but still pretty big. Which makes it all the more difficult to understand why there's so little space for rear seat passengers' legs. I won't get into interior volume measurements, which frankly can confuse as often as clarify, but I'd bet there's less room back there than in the new Hyundai Sonata - a car with a much smaller footprint. With the square cut rear door, however, entering and exiting was a breeze.
On the Road
The STS is built on what GM calls the Sigma platform, which also underpins the considerably less expensive Cadillac CTS. The STS's ride is quite a bit firmer than Cadillac's traditional buyer is used to. However, this provides much more information available about what's going on where the rubber meets the road. Which, no matter how you slice it, is a good thing.The new Canadian-built 3.6L V-6 engine is a delight and not just because it's nearly ten grand cheaper than the Northstar V-8 on which it's based. The V-6 puts out 255hp and 252 lb-ft of torque (90% of which comes on at 1,600rpm). Step on the gas and you go girl! All this power gets to the wheels via a 5-speed automatic transmission. This combo will serve perfectly well in 99% of the driving situations most of us are likely to find ourselves in. But folks who live in or near mountains might occasionally find themselves wishing for a 6th gear to get them up those long, momentum-sapping grinds.
With the bargain price of the base V-6 STS, you forsake niceties like the magnetic ride control suspension, adaptive cruise control and heads up display. But know what? You don't need any of that stuff. And frankly, you won't even miss them.
Journey's End
My major concern with the V-6 engine is its fuel economy. You'd think that with two fewer cylinders and a lot fewer horses, you'll go further on a tank full of gasoline. On paper, you do. However, in real life driving situations, the V-6 doesn't get any better fuel economy than the V-8.
Yet, I'd still take it over the V-8 simply because the V-6 package offers such terrific bang for the buck. So if you're considering something in this class from Germany or Japan, do yourself a favor and check out the STS V-6. You won't be giving up anything in the way of engineering and build quality, and you'll be keeping more of your money at home.
