2003 Cadillac CTS Review Summary & Specs
Base Sedan
Cadillac takes on the best of the European sports sedans.
Summary & Specs
reviewed by
With a new chassis, a new body, a new engine, two new transmissions, a new factory and a new workforce, there is an awful lot that could go wrong with a car like the CTS in its first year of production. On the other hand, there is a lot that could go right, and that's what we're banking on when we recommend it as a car to be looked at and test driven if you are in the market for a entry luxury sports sedan.
The Cadillac CTS drives beautifully, it looks and feels extremely modern from the left front seat, it has all the feature content an American driver is looking for, and it looks different from anything else out there.
Specs
| Vehicle Category |
Luxury Cars |
| Editor |
Jim McCraw |
| Model Lineup |
CTS Base ($29,350) |
| Engines (standard) |
3.2-liter dohc V6 |
| Engines (optional) |
3.2-liter dohc V6 |
| Transmissions (standard) |
5-speed manual |
| Transmissions (optional) |
5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) |
dual airbags, side air bags, and roof air bags standard; ABS, traction control |
| Safety Equipment (optional) |
Stabilitrak stability control |
| Basic Warranty |
4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In |
Lansing, Michigan |
| Manufacturer Phone |
1-800-333-4CAD |
| Manufacturer URL |
www.gm.com/cadillac |
| Base Price MSRP |
$29,350 |
Specs as Tested
| Model Tested MSRP |
Cadillac CTS ($29,350) |
| Standard Equipment |
(CTS) air conditioning; variable assist power steering; power brakes; power mirrors; power windows; power locks; tinted glass; passive anti-theft system; tilt wheel; cruise control; sport front bucket seats with leather seating surfaces; suspension package; 225/50ZR17 tires; cast aluminum wheels; Bose AM/FM/cassette/CD sound system; remote keyless entry; ABS; traction control; Stabilitrak II; electric rear window defroster |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) |
automatic transmission ($1200); Bose premium sound system with cassette/six-disc CD changer and CD-ROM-based navigation system ($2700); heated front seats ($400); express-open sunroof ($1100); xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps with high-pressure washers ($500); 60/40 split fold-down rear seat ($300); Luxury Sport Package ($3500) includes the Luxury Package with an eight-way power adjustable passenger seat, audible theft deterrent system, Zebrano wood trim, memory package, rear-view mirror compass, and a three-channel programmable garage door opener with electronic voice recorder, plus the Stabilitrak 2.0 chassis control system, sport-tuned suspension, high-performance brake linings, load-leveling rear suspension, speed-sensitive power steering, and 17-inch polished wheels with V-rated tires |
| Destination Charge |
640 |
| Gas Guzzler Tax |
|
| Layout |
rear-wheel drive |
| Price as Tested |
$39,690 |
| Horse Power |
220 @ 6000 |
| Torque |
218 @ 3400 |
| Fuel Economy |
18 / 25 |
| Wheelbase |
113.4 |
| Length/Width/Height |
190.1/70.6/56.7 |
| Track Front/Rear |
60.0/60.0 |
| Turning Radius |
35.5 |
| Seating Capacity |
5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room |
38.5/53.3/42.4 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room |
|
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room |
36.9/53.5/37.0 |
| Trunk Volume |
12.8 |
| Payload |
|
| Towing Capacity |
1000 |
| Front Suspension |
Independent |
| Rear Suspension |
Independent |
| Ground Clearance |
|
| Curb Weight |
3568 |
| Stock Tires |
225/50VR17 |
| Brakes Front/Rear |
disc/disc with ABS |
| Fuel Capacity |
17.5 |