In the upscale, midsize car category, the 2012 Cadillac Sport Wagon can accommodate the most active of lifestyles. It offers a sportier design and performance, with a luxurious cabin, and seating for five.
The adaptable features allow room for cargo, yet look like a sports vehicle. The technology and design, unique to Cadillac, make the Sport Wagon safe, reliable, comfortable to drive. Standard interior features are not lacking, and the changes in engineering make it fuel efficient, and a pleasure to drive.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Luxury Wagon | Base Price: $39,015.00 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: 18 gallons (68l) | MPG: 18 city / 27 hwy |
| Length: 192 in. (487.6 cm) | Wheel Base: 113.4 in. (288 cm) |
| Height: 58 in. (147.3 cm) | Width: 72.5 in. (184.1 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 4026 lbs (1826 kg) | Ground Clearance: NA |
| Luggage Capacity: 25 cu ft | Maximum Seating: 5 people |
| Engine: Direct Injection V6 VVT RWD | Displacement: 3.0 Liter |
| Horsepower: 270 HP | Max RPM: 7000 RPM |
| Torque: 223 lb-ft @ 5700 rpm | Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic |
| Option:Luxury | MSRP: $42,150; MPG: 18 city / 27 hwy |
| Option:Performance | MSRP: $44,190; MPG: 18 city / 26 hwy |
| Option:Premium | MSRP: $49,750; MPG: 18 city / 26 hwy |
Engine Performance
There is a choice of the either the standard 3.0 liter, or 3.6 liter, direct injection V6 engine, which provide 270 and 318 horsepower respectively. The estimated fuel economy is 18 miles per gallon in the city, and 26 miles per gallon on the highway.
Cadillac’s short, long arm (SLA) suspension technology offers adjustability, which helps to control the wheel movement better than the traditional strut. The Sport Wagon is on a balanced front-to-rear platform for a combination of driving responsiveness, and comfort.
The wagon has 6-speed Interactive Adaptive Automatic Transmission with overdrive, and a floor-mounted shifter. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, but is also optional. With continuously variable valve timing, a premium engine, all-wheel drive (AWD) availability and stabiliTrak, the wagon has all-weather capability, enhanced handling and safety.
Exterior
The exterior of the Sport Wagon is a seamless design, using integrated roof nails, as opposed to traditional bars. The wagon comes in three body styles, Standard, Performance, and Premium. There are four trim levels offered which are Standard, Luxury, Performance, and Premium. Exterior colors are offered in Opulent Blue, Black Diamond, and Mocha Steel.
The Adaptive Forward Lighting sensors with High-Intensity Discharge (HID), provide the wagon headlights which illuminate your direction of travel by swiveling 15 degrees, making it easier to see your path of driving. In the rear, the sculpted LED taillights extend along the tailgate. The 17-inch aluminum wheels, and heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors, are other features which give the edgy look, a luxurious look as well.
Interior
The leather interior and detailed dashboard instruments look classy with the Ambient Interior Lighting provided. A light pipe is meticulously fitted under the wood trim on the dash, and LED spotlights under the door handles, foot wells, and overhead console, give the interior a very serene atmosphere. The control center on the dash includes a Glide-up navigation system, which features voice guidance.
Features
The 8-inch LCD touch screen includes 3-D color imaging with OnStar, iPod connectivity, hard drive for music storage, Bose 5.1 Surround Sound, Bluetooth, Pause and Play radio, and dual-zone climate control. A panoramic view of the wagon’s path is projected on the rearview mirror, or navigation system screen when in reverse, and ultrasonic rear parking assist with audible warning is also available.
Spacious
The rear seats fold flat, which will create more than 58 cubic feet of cargo room, and the floor rails are equipped with attachment points with tie-downs, to prevent cargo from sliding. There is under-floor cargo space, as well as modular storage, in order to organize, and conceal cargo from sight. The liftgate is power-operated and programmable for any height, to avoid hitting overhead objects, such as garage obstacles.
Safety
StabiliTrak is standard, as well as front, rear, and side airbags. Side-guard door beams reinforce the body of the wagon as well. This wagon can handle daily commutes with ease, and is equipped for the worst weather scenarios. Cadillac has transferred the performance and handling of the CTS Sedan, to a sport wagon.
Reliability
To back up their promise of reliability, they offer a basic warranty of 50,000 miles, or 48 months, and drivetrain warranty of 100,000 miles, or 60 months. They also offer corrosion warranty of 50,000 miles, or 72 months, all along with roadside assist.
Pros & Cons
The 2012 Sport Wagon offers ample power, versatility, performance, four years of free maintenance, an upscale interior, sport handling, and luxuriously-spacious interior, all in one sleek wagon. The rivals in this category are the Infiniti G, BMW 3-Series, and Acura TL. These models are very much the same standard models, with different exterior looks. The BMW may exceed in performance, but at a cost.
Two unfavorable comments pertain to the rather narrow trunk opening, and poor rear visibility. Otherwise, the Cadillac wagon has ample power and unrivaled versatility. If you are on the go quite often with cargo, and are looking for fuel economy, safety, and luxury to ride in, the 2012 Cadillac Sport Wagon is a very good option.
Competition
There is only one other make that the CTS Wagon can be compared to in terms of price and features, the Mercedes Benz E Class Wagon, (MSRP $57,150; 19 city / 27 hwy).
Overall Rating
82 out of 100
What others say:
“The 2012 CTS Sport Wagon receives a lighter, more powerful version of its 3.6-liter V-6 engine…”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports
“The handsome 2012 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is not just an alternative to other wagons but also an enticing choice for those considering compact luxury crossovers.”Edmunds
