Car Reviws |
| 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon, an AW Drivers Log: Posted: 16 Dec 2010 06:09 AM PST      
EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: As much as there's nothing like a big, honkin' pickup when you need to do some serious hauling, when you need to do some serious haulin', there's really no match for the Cadillac CTS-V wagon. The V wagon is a beast, packing 556 hp in a 4,390-pound package, giving it enough punch to flash to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds flat. The rear-drive chassis, fitted with magnetic ride-control shocks, Brembo brakes and Michelin Sport Pilot rubber, is so capable that we found it advisable to use the handy built-in chrome cargo-floor anchors just to make sure our loads didn't shift under hard cornering, braking or acceleration. The heavily bolstered, leather-lined seats performed the same function for driver and passengers, keeping everyone planted as the wagon carved up the curves. No wagon--even with the rear seats folded down--will carry the kinds of loads we stuff into pickup beds or SUV cabins. And while the car is listed as a five-seater, things get tight when three adults have to squeeze into the back seat. But I found the space ample for most toting needs, swallowing a few big hauls, including a five-foot folding table and some chairs. That said, given the lesser cargo capacity (compared with utes and trucks), no sport wagon should leave the dealer showroom without a roof rack installed. But I can forgive the oversight on this CTS-V because someone wisely checked “manual” when it came to picking the transmission. The six-speed gearbox, managed via an Alcantara-upholstered shifter and a shiny chrome clutch pedal, went a long way toward reducing the wagon's relative lack of utility to simply a minor annoyance. In addition, the interior is sweet with the stitched leather, the perforated seating surfaces, the Alcantara shifter and steering wheel and the impressive illumination band wrapping from the door panels into the dashboard--very cool. ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR CHERYL L. BLAHNIK: One word describes this car: Wow! I had an extended stay in a regular CTS wagon over the summer, but besides sharing the same stunning looks, this V version, not surprisingly, behaves like a completely different beast. First of all, you slide behind the wheel and notice the nice-looking Alcantara six-speed shifter, which is the first hint that you aren't driving just any wagon. Fire the engine, and the power makes this wagon feel more like a race car than a family hauler, which makes it a whole lot of fun. Whoever decided to put this supercharged engine into this wagon is a genius. This is by far the most fun family-haulin' wagon I've ever driven, and I did use it to haul the family around in it, too. My niece was laughing and squealing in the back telling me to go faster. We had some snow on the roads with low temps, and I tried to shake this car loose at a couple of corners (without my niece in the car, of course), but the car remained stable at all times. I could very easily live with this, not just for its fun driving character, but for its roomy interior and attractive sheetmetal. It's not the normal cookie-cutter look but an elegant design that really stands out in the crowd with its long lines and extreme taillights. The interior is also very nice looking and feels inviting and very upscale. Overall, good job, Cadillac. ASSOCIATE EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: I really like the looks of the CTS coupe and I also really like the looks of the wagon. Hell, the sedan looks good, too. OK, so I'm basically saying that I like how the entire CTS family looks. When I got seat time in this particular CTS-V wagon, Cadillac had already picked up the car to swap a set of winter tires on it in place of the high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s, which is good being December and all. The really cool thing is that the winter tires came mounted on a set of sinister-looking gunmetal rims, which gave the V wagon a sleeker appearance. I encounter some cold, slick roads over the weekend, which made me appreciate having the winter tires even more. But if you're interested in a CTS-V of any kind, get yours with the gunmetal rims. You can thank me later. I'm not very sure how many people out there are looking for a 556-hp wagon, but for the people who are, this Caddy is killer. Think about it: A powerful supercharged engine, a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, magnetic ride suspension and plenty of room to carry stuff. So basically this is a wagon that not only can haul a bunch of stuff, but light it up, too. Straight-line thrust is, as expected, plentiful, and the suspension--when put in sport mode--does a good job of keeping all 4,390 pounds of this wagon pretty well composed around corners. Steering feel is responsive, and the brakes provide confident stopping muscle. The cabin is first-rate with high-quality materials and is easy enough to navigate once you get the hang of the button-laden center console. The Recaro seats fit me fine and provided enough support to keep me happy and locked in place. Either way, for the wagon-haters out there, a drive in this will banish those horrifying memories of the old wood-paneled family station wagon and make you a believer. 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon Base Price: $64,290 As-Tested Price: $69,585 Drivetrain: 6.2-liter supercharged V8; RWD, six-speed manual Output: 556 hp @ 6,100 rpm, 551 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm Curb Weight: 4,390 lb Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 16/14.7 mpg Options: Recaro high-performance seats ($3400); crystal red tintcoat paint ($995); midnight sapele-wood trim ($600); sueded steering wheel ($300) |
| 2011 Volvo XC70 T6, an AW Drivers Log: Posted: 15 Dec 2010 07:12 AM PST      
NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend in the Volvo XC70, which was well-equipped and terrifically powered. The twin-scroll turbo is surprisingly good. The acceleration from launch is strong, and even when going light on it (this thing had only 164 miles on the odo), it was still satisfying. It's comfortable and confident over crumpling roads and through turns while maintaining bearing during somewhat aggressive maneuvering. Really, this is one of the better everyday-driving wagons I've experienced in awhile. It's not as energetic as a Mercedes-Benz, a BMW or an Audi, but really, what would you expect? The chassis is flat and even through nearly all conditions and even under braking. This Volvo is slathered in safety stuff and electronics, though I would say more than $45,000 is too high for the sticker. This is still a Volvo, and I think upper-crust customers might want a little more brand panache for their money than this plane-Jane wagon. Still, it's very good in nearly all areas, especially with what matters: engine, chassis and drive character. COPY EDITOR CYNTHIA L. OROSCO-WRIGHT: This Volvo wagon is a pretty cool customer. Sure, it's a wagon, but it's not staid in the sense of wagons of old. It's not luxurious, either, but if you're looking for a package of solid handling, decent power, fine looks and good cargo space, this might be a good choice. Yes, it does seem pricey, but you're likely paying for the badge and all of the bells and whistles. Inside, the seats offer good bolster, there is good legroom and it is easy to get in and out of the wagon. The XC70 heats up quick, and the seat heaters were a bonus on cold mornings. Merging into traffic and passing are accomplished with ease, and the power comes on strong and stays that way. The brakes also are firm but don't cause any jerking sensation. EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: I'm a big fan of Volvo wagons. This, to me, is one of the best anti-SUV alternatives available. You get to drive an AWD car with several options regarding hauling stuff. Granted, you don't have the towing capacity of a GMC Yukon, but beyond that, this car will fill most people's transportation needs. The turbo six-cylinder is smooth and powerful, and Volvo seats are among the very best, in my opinion. They are comfortable and supportive. This one was loaded with just about every option, and if a soccer mom doesn't want to drive a minivan, this is her car. EXECUTIVE EDITOR--AUTOWEEK.COM BOB GRITZINGER: There's a pantry-full of power under the hood of this granola-mobile. Combined with the borderline sporty chassis and the Scandinavian-clean interior, this is a great choice for those looking to get out of the SUV and crossover rat race. Some might argue that the XC70 is a crossover, but in my book, crossovers are typically the taller and more bulbous of the breed. Nope, to me at least, this one is clearly a station wagon. The highlight of this wagon, as noted above, is the rich reserve of low-end torque this truckster applies to the weighty tasks at hand. It launches smartly off the line, and thanks to all-wheel drive, doesn't lurch in any odd directions but shoots off in the direction it is pointed. The tranny is smooth, and while gears are readily selectable via the shift lever, I'd like some steering-wheel paddles to add a sportier flavor to the drive. There aren't many downsides to this wagon, but I'd like some attention to the steering set up, which I find heavy and numb. A lot of cars opt for a tauter, heavier steering feel to make a better connection to the road, but that's not the case here. I'd guess I'd rather just have a lighter feel and higher level of assist if the steering feel isn't going to be there anyway. I like a lot of the controls inside, but I disliked having the radio-information options buried in a menu, forcing a series of actions merely to check on the name of a song the artist. And while the automatically raising and lowering backup camera screen provides an “Aww, isn't that cool” moment, it seems needlessly complex to perform one function. I assume that's where navigation information would also be displayed in a car so equipped, but it seems like a needlessly costly extra in a car without a navi. EDITOR WES RAYNAL: A mid/largish station wagon--the car on which Volvo built its reputation--pretty much defines what Volvo is in plenty of buyers' minds. And this is a fine car for the winter slop that got dumped on the Motor City over the weekend. I had no problems getting downtown today. Leaving early helps, but so does this car's ability to get through the lousy stuff with no problem, even with all of the other idiots on the road. The XC70 is a nice-looking car inside and out. And it is practical, too. It rides nicely and is quiet inside at all speeds. Shifts from the transmission are unnoticeable. One thing I did notice is a slight wind howl around the roof rack at freeway speeds. Nothing bad, but it's there nonetheless. This is comfortable, practical and safe. That sums up Volvo, and it pretty much sums up this car as well. 2011 Volvo XC70 T6 Base Price: $38,850 As-Tested Price: $45,550 Drivetrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged I6; AWD, six-speed automatic Output: 300 hp @ 5,600 rpm, 325 lb-ft @ 2,100-4,200 rpm Curb Weight: 4,279 lb Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 19/18.4 mpg Options: Multimedia package including premium sound, 650-watt speaker system, rear park-assist camera, navigation with real-time traffic, remote control, two complimentary navigation updates ($2,700); convenience package including power-operated tailgate, park assist front and rear, cargo cover, 12V outlet in cargo area with grocery-bag holder, integrated garage-door opener, tinted glass, rear doors and cargo area, compass in rearview mirror, electric folding rear headrest ($1,300); climate package including heated front seats, headlight washers, heated windshield-washer nozzles, rain sensor, humidity sensor, interior air-quality system, blue-band windshield ($900); blind-spot information system ($700); metallic paint ($550); personal car communicator ($550) |
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