Engine drops the ball

Cadillac elr front

Then, just as I was beginning to kind-of like the ELR and was beginning to think that, perhaps, it wasn't quite overpriced... the gasoline engine came on.

When this happens in a Chevrolet Volt, you barely notice it. Believe me, you won't miss it in the ELR.

Maybe Cadillac engineers thought some engine noise would add to the ELR's performance feel. And, if it were a nice, throaty V8 rumble, maybe so. But the ELR's noise is an awful, pathetic sound that makes you feel guilty for torturing that poor little 1.4-liter machine.

And, so, like a running back who fumbles the ball at the 10 yard line, the ELR comes so close to winning before giving it all up in one monstrous error. The ELR was only, and just barely, worth its price until that engine turned on. Then I winced in grim disappointment. No luxury car worth any money at all should make that noise.

Sorry, Cadillac. You almost had me. But you didn't quite make it.

First published December 2, 2013: 6:15 AM ET

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