The CTS' other engine options are a 272 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo on a base car starting at around $45,000 and a 321 horsepower 3.6-liter non-turbocharged engine starting at around $54,000.
The non-turbocharged V6 -- no surprise -- lacks the verve and excitement of the turbo version with almost 100 more horsepower. It also lacks the "Track" mode available in the VSport.
Still, it feels amply powerful even if it has to work a bit harder to accelerate fast. It more than gets the job done. And, thanks to Cadillac's sophisticated computer controlled suspension system, it has the same impossible-seeming levels of body control and ride quality. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to try the base four-cylinder turbo model but, based on the numbers, performance should be pretty close the V6. What you'd be giving up would be smoothness and refinement.
