Cadillac begins filling out the CTS lineup this year with the introduction of a new Sport Wagon model. Joining the CTS and CTS-V sedans, the new Sport Wagon improves cargo utility by offering up to 53.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. That’s not as much as the redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX offers, so you might be wondering why Cadillac even bothered with the CTS Sport Wagon. First, the CTS is a global product and buyers in other markets sometimes prefer a wagon over a crossover SUV. Second, the new SRX is designed to tackle the Lexus RX head on, and Cadillac thinks male buyers might prefer the Sport Wagon over the new SRX. Notably, the CTS Sport Wagon is the first American-brand station wagon to hit the market since the Dodge Magnum went out of production in 2008, unless you categorize the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT as wagons rather than crossovers.

Highlights of the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon include:
• V-shaped rear design elements
• Unique, available 19-inch wheel design
• Power rear liftgate can be programmed to open at specific heights
• Roof to bumper vertical taillights with light-pipe technology
• Integrated roof rack design
• Cargo space behind the rear seats = 25 cubic feet
• Up to 53.4 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded
• Standard cargo management system
• Available pet screen
• Available panoramic sunroof

Model Lineup

The 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is offered in standard, Luxury, Performance, and Premium trim levels with rear- or all-wheel drive. The standard model has the smaller of two V-6 engines and the usual roster of entry-luxury standard features including a Bose audio system with XM satellite radio, dual-zone climate control, OnStar telematics with a one-year subscription to service, heated side mirrors, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The seats are upholstered in leatherette, rather than leather. Options include a panoramic sunroof, a dealer-installed rear seat entertainment system, chrome wheels, and a handful of other items.

To gain access to a wider array of available equipment, buyers must choose the Luxury trim level. The CTS Sport Wagon Luxury includes leather upholstery, wood interior trim, ambient interior lighting, Bluetooth hands-free calling, a power front passenger’s seat, heated front seats with power lumbar adjustment, seat and mirror memory settings for the driver, and a Homelink universal remote. The Luxury model is offered only with the smaller V-6 engine, with rear- or all-wheel drive, and can be upgraded with the same amenities as the standard model plus a Bose 5.1 surround sound audio system with a hard drive for music and photo storage, an auxiliary audio input jack, a navigation system, and keyless access and ignition.

Performance trim is offered with both available engines. With the smaller 3.0-liter V-6, Performance models build from the standard CTS Sport Wagon with Bluetooth, a power front passenger’s seat, power lumbar support and heating for the front seats, seat and mirror memory, Homelink, and Bluetooth. With the larger 3.6-liter V-6, the CTS Sport Wagon Performance includes Bose 5.1 surround sound audio with a USB port and an auxiliary audio input jack. As the trim name implies, the Performance models also have HID Xenon headlights with adaptive forward lighting system, fog lights, a sport suspension, a locking rear differential, and 18-inch wheels. Choosing Performance trim also grants access to Luxury level options plus a reversing camera, Ultrasonic rear parking assist sensors, ventilated front seats, and remote engine starting. Bigger 19-inch alloy wheels wearing summer performance tires are offered with the larger engine.

The CTS Sport Wagon Premium is fully equipped, including Luxury and Performance trim plus a navigation system, a reversing camera, Ultrasonic rear parking assist sensors, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, keyless locking and ignition, and remote vehicle starting. Everything is standard, with only a handful of minor options and a Performance package including 19-inch polished alloy wheels, summer performance tires, performance cooling, performance brakes, and even stiffer suspension tuning.

Under the Hood

The 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon is equipped with one of two direct-injected engines: a 3.0-liter V-6 or a 3.6-liter V-6 driving the rear or all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift feature. The smaller V-6 makes 270 horsepower at its 7,000 rpm redline, and churns 223 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,700 rpm. The larger V-6 generates 304 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm. Both engines are designed to operate on regular unleaded fuel.

According to the EPA, the 3.0-liter is rated to return 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway (18 city/26 highway with AWD) while the 3.6-liter is rated to deliver 18 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with rear- and all-wheel drive. Our review vehicle, a CTS Sport Wagon with the 3.6-liter V-6 engine and AWD, averaged 18.8 mpg in mixed driving with a highway emphasis. Combined with the CTS Sport Wagon’s standard 18-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 340-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on every 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon includes dual front airbags, side impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and side curtain airbags. Cadillac’s StabiliTrak stability and traction control system is also standard, and the braking system is a four-wheel vented-disc antilock setup with dynamic rear proportioning and hydraulic brake assist.

The CTS is also equipped with Automatic Crash Response, a feature of its standard OnStar telematics system (a free one-year subscription to OnStar services is included, but requires a monthly fee after the first year of ownership). With Automatic Crash Response, an OnStar advisor contacts the vehicle in the event of a severe collision. The advisor can communicate with vehicle occupants, summon emergency help to the scene, and pinpoint the vehicle’s exact location as well as determine how bad the accident might be.

Another interesting OnStar feature for the CTS Sport Wagon, one recently displayed on an episode of ABC’s “Modern Family” using a Chevrolet Malibu, is remote door unlocking. In the sitcom, characters accidently locked both the keys and their baby inside the car. An OnStar advisor was able to remotely unlock the doors with a simple phone call.

Safety options on the CTS Sport Wagon, depending on model selected, include rear park assist sensors, a reversing camera, and an adaptive front lighting system that helps the driver see around dark curves at night. Cadillac does not offer increasingly commoditized items like a blind spot warning system, active cruise control, or collision mitigation braking on the CTS Sport Wagon.

The Competition

JDPower.com says the 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon competes against other luxury station wagons such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5, Volvo V50, Volvo V70, and Volvo XC70. We’d also consider cross-comparing the Infiniti EX35 and Lincoln MKT. Note that in 2011, Acura plans to offer a sport wagon version of its TSX model.

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Note: This review was published on November 2, 2009. It may not reflect data that has become available for this vehicle since that date.