Cadillac’s STS isn’t quite as agile or fast as the CTS, but it’s still a very enjoyable luxury sedan.
Muscular V-6 powers improved Cadillac STS
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For years, luxury car makers have offered less expensive V-6 powered versions of their more costly models with eight or even 12 cylinders. Now Cadillac has come up with a V-6 under the hood of its STS that is so good, it makes the extra money for two more spark plugs seem like a frivolous expense.
The 3.6 liter V-6 sports direct fuel injection and pumps out 306 horsepower. It does so with a fat torque bulge right in the sweet spot of the power curve and delivers its punch with exceptional smoothness and flexibility throughout the rev range.
If you absolutely insist on having an eight, you can also have your STS with a 4.6 liter version of Cadillac’s familiar Northstar V-8 that is good for 320 horsepower. Having driven both, I can attest to the difficulty one would have in choosing between the six and the eight based strictly on performance characteristics. I love the Northstar’s rumble but that new V-6 reeks of technological sophistication.
With the V-6, the STS scoots from zero to 60 mph in just a hair more than six seconds, while the V-8 can occasionally be coaxed to so the same exercise in an equaling thin hair below six seconds.
If that is not fast enough for you, there is one other STS you should know about, the STS-V, which is powered by a supercharged 4.4 liter V-8 that produces an outrageous (i.e. almost enough for yours truly) 469 horsepower. Each of these powerplants is hand-built. Too bad this monster is not available with all-wheel-drive.
Anyway, the 2008 edition of the STS continues Cadillac’s steady improvement of a model that debuted more than a decade ago as an option in the
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The exterior styling has been refined a bit for 08, with the front end getting a trademark Caddy egg-crate treatment that works nicely with the vertically stacked head lights that recall another former styling trademark of GM’s top division. I like the way the CTS projects this same basic “art and science” silhouette a little better but the STS is still a handsome vehicle that has substance and sportiness.
My sole complaint with the STS was the too-tight space between the front seat and the power seat adjustment. This is one of those important details that needs more thought because it contributes directly to it affects the comfort level of occupants.
Chart:
2008 CADILLAC STS V-6 LP
Price-as-tested: $58,590
Engine information: 3.6 liter DOHC V-6, 302 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, torque equals 272 lb-ft at 5,200 rpm
Performance: 0-60 mph in 6.27 seconds (With six-speed automatic transmission)
EPA fuel economy: 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway
Safety equipment: Driver and front passenger front and side airbags, side curtain air bags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, StabiliTrak stability control, Lane Departure Warning (optional)
