INTRO: Abandon all hope of fuel economy upon shifting the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon into gear. But, what you'll get instead is exhilarating supercharged, g-force acceleration, rocketing the luxury 5-passenger family hauler from zero to 60 in under 5 seconds.
This level of high-performance is not expected of station wagons. So, finding it in a vehicle as distinctively styled and elegantly equipped as the CTS-V wagon is undoubtedly a bonus. Being able to haul up to 58 cubic feet of cargo might even justify it - if you need to.
PERFORMANCE: The CTS-V Wagon gets a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, sending a head-snapping 556 horsepower and 551 pound feet of torque to the rear wheels through either a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission or Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.
FUEL ECONOMY: Here are the highest and lowest EPA estimates for fuel economy:
FEATURES: The CTS-V Wagon is as impressive inside as it is under the hood. Heated front leather bucket seats are standard along with a touch-screen navigation system and 10-speaker Bose 5.1 surround sound system. Whether using an iPod, listening to pause-and-play live radio or accessing the 10 gigabytes of hard drive music storage, the system delivers premium audio.
Standard driving conveniences include rain-sensing wipers, an integrated backup camera and the driver-selectable Magnetic Ride Control with Tour mode for cruising and Sport mode for sharp handling.
A recommended option is the Recaro 14-way adjustable performance seats that provide the driver and front passenger with additional support during energetic driving.
SAFETY: Standard safety features include a full array of front and side impact airbags, Stabilitrak stability enhancement system, traction control and ultra-sonic parking sensors.
PRICING: Base MSRP for the 2012 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is $63,215. The vehicle is subject to a mandatory $1,300 gas-guzzler tax.
WARRANTY: The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is backed by a 5-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
CLOSING: While your first impression of the high-performance 2012 CTS-V Wagon may be its muscle car credentials, a lasting impression will be its full-on combination of performance, luxury and versatility.