Cadillac CTS test drive since 2007 sedan
Cadillac CTS VS Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Cadillac CTS. Price: 1423000 rub. On sale: since 2007 MB E-SLASS. Price: 2650000 rub. On sale: since 2009
Cadillac CTS and New Eshka Mercedes are almost classmates. Almost because as soon as it comes to comparing the cost of these cars, everything immediately falls into place: the German is almost twice as much as an American. So, maybe, it makes no sense to overpay? Our reader Svetlana Kocheganova discusses on this subject
Svetlana Kocheganova, head of the sales department, travels to MB E-Class, driving experience for 20 years
Let's just immediately put all the dots over and. I have never experienced trepidation in front of American cars, and especially before Cadillac. Let this brand be associated with luxury and wealth for someone, and for me such cars are simply a extras in the cashier, no more. They can be matched, you can rush on a ram on them, you can even improve demography, but drive ... The fact is that I spent all my conscious life behind the wheel of German cars, in connection with which they are a standard for me . The question reasonly arises: what am I doing here then? The notorious uncontrollable female curiosity is what prevailed over common sense. It hurts a lot of people who claims: Cadillac is now not the same as it was before. Which, they say, goes better, and quality is at the level, but there is no need to talk about equipment. Okay, let's see if this CTS is able to at least get closer to Eshka.
Appearance
I will begin, of course, with the appearance. I don’t know how you are, but I somehow don’t like such an aggressive look at all. There is something theatrical, pretense in it. After all, the new Eshka, too,, due to another head optics, frowned slightly, but this does not spoil her, but adds masculinity. An undisguised threat comes from CTS, both for others and for itself. I'm talking about the front overhang. Well, the owner of this car is probably tormented with such a chin. You can hang a bumper with a turn over the pack of cigarettes. Mercedes is also not a standard in this regard, of course, but I have no problems with it when parking. I am not enthusiastic about the design of the back of this car. The whitish lanterns personally cause associations with Chinese consumer goods. They are not that they do not add, but rather, completely kill all solidity. I will not hide, the rear optics of the new E-Class is also not a role model, but at least it feels in it. And here, in general, a clear designer failure.
Let's look inside But what pleased in CTS is the salon. I will tell you, this is a breakthrough compared to what I had to see before! What was the interior of the American usually forced? That's right: a countertop with cup holders instead of the instrument panel, a shapeless sofa instead of seats and a radio with huge buttons instead of an audio system. Here, everything is more or less clear, in European. Although in European this is perhaps too much. Rather, in Japanese. It is painfully a lot here can be traced that at first, as it seems to me, it appeared on cars from the country of the rising sun. I mean the wells separate for each scale, and a tightly knocked down beard of the central console, and even seats with overly developed lateral support. All this is undoubtedly great, but, alas, unoriginal. Eshka in this regard is not so screaming. In her interior, the desire to appear imperceptibly. And although the salon looks much more modest than CTS, still, there is more stature and thoroughness in it. And for comfort it is much better. For example, the back of the second row seats here have a much more comfortable angle of inclination than Cadillac.
Go
Now directly that I was embarrassed for a long time in the Americans, that is, about driving. I will not hide, what I used to have to encounter the will before, in any comparison with this machine does not go. I don’t know who helped them set up a steering and a suspension, but CTS really steer well. It is rushing, because there were never problems with acceleration from cars from the ocean. And the brakes are quite adequate. However, this car still does not reach the level of Mercedes. The fact is that E-Class is equally friendly to both the driver and passengers. That is, absolutely everyone gets pleasure. In Cadillac, only the driver enjoys. And first of all, the guilty of this is the contested suspension. Any unevenness on the road for CTS is stress. Any unevenness on the road for E-Class is just one of the technical specifications that has been coped with the design stage. This is what bribes me in the Mercedes brand.
Cadillac CTS
Driving
Dynamic, steer well, but the suspension leaves much to be desired. Its characteristics are clearly adjusted to the driver.
Salon
Spacious, but not as convenient as we would like. The main claims to the inclination of the back of the second row of seats.
Comfort Good sound insulation, excellent acoustics, the presence of a TV and a DVD player will undoubtedly brighten up any journey.
Safety
At the level of competitors.
Price
Undoubtedly attractive.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Driving
Friendly to the driver and passengers. Allows you to relax even during a dynamic driving. The effectiveness of the brakes is beyond praise.
Salon
Spacious and convenient. The quality of finishing materials corresponds to the class of the car, and the conservative design emphasizes the status.
Comfort
This car in principle cannot be not comfortable.
Safety
All conceivable systems are present.
Price
She can scare off someone, but do not forget what we pay for.
My verdict
As I expected, Cadillac did not become something that could make me reconsider my priorities even in a financial crisis. Yes, CTS is cheaper, yes, it is well equipped, and for this money there is even all -wheel drive in it, its appearance is arguing, but, what a sin to hide, memorable. However, in my understanding, he in no way can compete with Mercedes-Benz E-Class, in which traditions and innovations always went hand in hand with respectability and quality. And I think that I am not alone in such an opinion.
Expert opinion
Well, this time we also failed to transplant our reader from one car to another, albeit much cheaper. However, if a load of communicating with cars of eminent European brands does not pretend to be over you, I would still recommend that I look my eyes on Cadillac CTS. Indeed, for much smaller money compared to MB E-Class, you get not only a well-equipped car, but also a car that goes quite well. In the end, it was not for nothing that his suspension was tuned on the famous nourburgering. Do not forget about the presence of all -wheel drive. MB E-Class 4Matic is even more expensive.
Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
Source: Magazine 5 wheel [August 2009]
