Consumer Reports: Cadillac CTS outscores Mercedes, BMW

[FenwickHockey65]

WHAT?!! Consumer Reports said something good about a GM?? *gasp*

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by njtex

Even more impressive considering that the new C-Class is a big step forward from it's previous model! From what I have heard, MB threw all it had at the redesign.

It is definitely a solid, no apologies effort.

Originally Posted by powervette

the interior is a huge step backwards

I've driven the C350, and I found the interior to be a nice place to be, and it, I assure you, was a big step FORWARD compared to the last C-class.

[Joevette]

Originally Posted by genjy

Unfortunately, MBZ is a luxury brand and not a sport-luxury brand like BMW. Non-AMG MBZ cars usually can't get away with stiff suspensions and harsh rides like non-M BMW cars can.

And cadillac is definitely sport-luxury too... that is NO excuse for what happened here. the CTS combines the best of both worlds in one.

[GMusa]

cool... but isnt the CTS more of a 5-series competitor?

[patrickbec]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - General Motors Corp's (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) 2008 Cadillac CTS moved up in Consumer Reports' ranking of sports sedans, passing BMW's (BMWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) 328i and Daimler's (DAIGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) redesigned Mercedes-Benz C300 models, the magazine reported in its March 2008 issue.

The CTS scored an "excellent" overall score, topping the 328i and C300, both of which received "very good" overall scores, Consumer Reports said. The CTS also ranked above some previously tested sports sedans, including Toyota Motor Corp's (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research) Lexus IS250, Honda Motor Co Ltd's (7267.T: Quote, Profile, Research) Acura TSX and Volkswagen's (VOWG.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) Audi A4.

Improving how consumers view its cars is crucial to the turnaround at GM, which lost more than $10 billion in 2005 and 2006 and is in the midst of a restructuring. Achieving recognition from magazines like Consumer Reports could be valuable to the No. 1 U.S. automaker's marketing efforts.

The CTS now ranks third among 12 sports sedans tested by Consumer Reports at its center in Connecticut, trailing Nissan Motor Co Ltd's (7201.T: Quote, Profile, Research) Infiniti G35 and Honda's Acura TL, said the magazine, which is published by nonprofit organization, Consumers Union.

"The Cadillac CTS now competes toe-to-toe with some of the best German and Japanese sports sedans," David Champion, senior director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports, said in a statement.

The CTS model tested carries a suggested retail price of $40,835, compared with $39,175 for the 328i and $37,325 for the C300, the magazine said. GM's Saab 9-3 Aero, which also was tested, has a price tag of $37,815.

Rest of article: http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv...60323320080204

[gwwyjjliu]

Conventional wisdom seems to be falling by the wayside, these days, especially when it comes to the established order among automotive nameplates. As TheCarConnection.com previously reported, Nissan’s Altima pulled an unexpected win over the well-entrenched Honda Accord, in the most recent Consumer Reports list of affordable midsize sedans.
Now comes an even bigger surprise from the influential CR: in an equally noteworthy upset, Cadillac’s second-generation CTS sedan has whupped both the benchmark BMW 328i, as well as the recently redesigned Mercedes-Benz C300 in the magazine’s list of upscale sports sedans. Among a tough, competitive field, CTS was the only model to win an “Excellent” ranking.

“The Cadillac CTS now competes toe-to-toe with some of the best German and Japanese sport sedans,” explained David Champion, Consumer Reports’ senior director of automotive testing. “There are more safety features and interior amenities in the new model. Fit and finish is greatly improved, and the interior is much more pleasant than in the previous generation.”

http://www.thecarconnection.com/blog...ccd=de20080205

[gwwyjjliu]

Considering the source, this is a HUGE win for GM!

[T-Type]

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=60281

[supraracer]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The horn works just as well!

Flash to pass is in the drivers manual, at least in Vinginia. Using the horn causes more problems than it solves.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by ifcar

For its March issue, CR reviewed a selection of entry-lux sedans that it hadn't already tested.Its a clever attempt to pump Lexus and Acura who aren't doing well right now and knock the AMERICAN and European offerings .

Rankings of all "upscale" sedans tested by CR: (models tested this month in italics and recommended models (models that tested well and have reliability predicted at average or above) in bold)

< Here is one version how it should've come out. There are many more.
This list corrects scores and rank position.>

EXCELLENT:
1. Cadillac CTS 3.6: 93 ($40,835)
2.Infiniti G35 Journey: 86 points ($35,150)
3. BMW 328i: 86 ($39,175)
4.Lincoln MKZ: 84 ($32,675)
5.Audi A4 2.0T (2008): 82 ($35,855)
6. Infiniti G35X AWD: 82 ($39,400)

VERY GOOD:
7.Mercedes-Benz C300: 80 ($37,325)
8. Saab 9-5: 79 ($38,635)
9. Volvo S60 2.5T: 78 ($34,980)
10. Saab 9-3 Aero V6: 73 ($37,815)
11. Acura TL: 71 ($33,670)
12. Lexus IS250: 70 ($33,734)
13. Acura TSX: 70 ($29,035)

GOOD:
14. Lexus ES350: 58 ($41,289)***


*** CANNOT RECOMMEND AT THIS TIME.

So thats why they wrote it the way they wrote it.

.

[M_RABID]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

You use flash to pass while on the highway (in the fast lane) driving behind somebody going 5 miles an hour below the speed limit while everyone in the lanes next to you is going 10 miles an hour over.

It's just such a bother to have to CLICK the brights ON AND OFF AND ON AND OFF through the detent. I mean, my gawd people! How barbaric!

[XP300]

I can't believe this! CR rates a GM vehicle as #1.

I thought I just saw Ralph Nader being carried into an ambulance with a heart attack.

It is April 1st, isn't it?

[chevydlrmn]

I hate how they name the lows as "some controls"

[AMcA]

Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano

There's nothing less than excellent about the Lexus ES350.

Yeah, if you think the Camry is a desirable car.

[AMERICA 123]

This illustrates just part of why they wrote what they wrote when they wrote it.
Sales figures for 2008 /2007 both JAN and YTD. These trends started as soon as the new CTS launched.

EXCELLENT:
1.Infiniti G35 Journey: 92 points ($35,150)
2. Lexus ES350: 91 ($41,289)/.................. 4,346 5,320 -18.3%
3. Acura TL: 90 ($33,670)/....................... 3,246 3,878 -16.3%
4. Infiniti G35X AWD: 87 ($39,400)
5. Cadillac CTS 3.6: 84 ($40,835)/...........5,534. 2,843 +94.7%
6. Lexus IS250: 84 ($33,734)/................... 3,262. 3,395. -03.9%

VERY GOOD:
7. BMW 328i: 77 ($39,175)
8. Acura TSX: 77 ($29,035)/..................... 2,073 2,628. -21.1%
9. Mercedes-Benz C300: 77 ($37,325)/.........4,647 3,928 +18.3%
10. Lincoln MKZ: 77 ($32,675)
11. Audi A4 2.0T (2008): 77 ($35,855)
12. Saab 9-5: 71 ($38,635)
13. Saab 9-3 Aero V6: 71 ($37,815)

GOOD:
14. Volvo S60 2.5T: 58 ($34,980)


And of course, the other one they're 'hiding' ie most logical Lexus match up for CTS.

Lexus GS 350 1,270 1,368 -7.2%