Comparo: 2008 Cadillac CTS4 vs. Mercedes-Benz C350 4MATIC
Story and photos by John LeBLanc
Which of this pair of entry-level luxury sedans is the best all-weather road warrior?
At one point not too long ago, luxury sedan owners looking for all-season traction defaulted to Audi and its famous Quattro all-wheel-drive system. But the safety and performance advantages of having traction at all four wheels has spread like a newfound religion. To the point where AWD is now expected, at least as an option, in almost every entry-level luxury sedan on the market from Acura to Volvo.
Which brings us to our two Faceoff competitors.
The redesigned-for-2008 Cadillac CTS can be arguably called the “best American” car ever made. With world class refinement inside and out, sophisticated engines, and a Nürburgring-tuned road manners—along with the Chevrolet’s Malibu—the five-passenger CTS sedan is seen as the type of competitive product General Motors can do when it puts its generous collective talents to work.
Lined up against the Caddy is the fourth generation of the so-called Baby Benz, better known as the C Class. “Baby,” though, is a relative term.
It may be the smallest of Mercedes-Benz’s full lineup of sedans—topping out at the luxobarge S Class—the new five-passenger sedan, however, is bigger in every dimension than its predecessor, and is within centimetres of the roomy CTS in interior space.
But which one is the better to drive specced out with AWD?
SECOND PLACE: 2008 Cadillac CTS-4
You may assume the Mercedes is the more expensive car here. Which it is, but not by as much as you might think.
The CTS4 tester was what my dad would have called “loaded.” Checked off option boxes included: all-wheel-drive (which mandates that you get the six-speed automatic gear box over the six-speed manual that comes standard on rear-drive models); upgraded 3.6-litre V6 engine; enhanced audio; navigation; performance suspension package; a full-length glass roof; plus a plethora of trim and convenience features that elevated its $47,280 base price to $53,365—or about $2,500 less than the equally fully “loaded” C350 4MATIC rival.
The Caddy’s base 3.6-litre V6 is very up-to-date tech-wise, including variable-valve-timing. Upgraded from the regular six found in lesser CTSs, the premium 3.6 unit engine found under the CTS4’s long hood further adds direct-injection technology. Thus, horsepower gets juiced up from the base mill by 41 to 304, and pound-feet of torque goes from 253 to 273; numbers that fairly trump the C350 4MATIC’s relatively meagre 268/258 ratings.
With over 1,800 kg in curb weight to haul around, the Cadillac’s under-seven-second 0-100 km/h dash is about a half second behind the 1,148 kg lighter Mercedes. Despite having one less gear to play with compared to the C350 4MATIC’s’s seven-speed gearbox, the CTS4’s six-speed auto performed crisp with quick up- and down-shifts when called upon.
Fuel economy is a wash between these two: both are rated at 12.5L/100 km city. But the Caddy is slightly better on the highway at 7.5L, versus 8.2 in the ‘Benz.
For an American branded car, on the road, the CTS4’s Teutonic tuning roots are all too obvious. Just like the best from Germany, the Cadillac throws off mid-corner bumps without complaint. Even when hitting Aveo-swallowing pot holes, the Caddy’s solid structure absorbs the brunt, filtering out the impact before any reach its quiet cockpit.
Composed and balanced at high speed, the Cadillac’s performance suspension achieves cornering speeds your father’s Seville could only have dreamt about.
However, the addition of power to the CTS4’s front wheels seems to have dulled its steering a bit. As good as the Caddy’s steering is—very accurate at turn in and predictable thought out its turning range—compared against the more fulsome C350 4MATIC, though, it could use more feel.
BUY THIS CAR IF ... if you want AWD Germanic road manners in an American wrapper.
DON'T BUY THIS CAR IF ... you want “agile”, or “lithesome” as part of your car’s attributes.
FIRST PLACE: Mercedes-Benz C350 4MATIC
On its own, the CTS4 is a very competent and rewarding car to drive. But against the more athletic C350 4MATIC (which this time around Mercedes has aimed directly at the class leading BMW 335i), it feels big. More like a competitor of the mid-size E Class rather than the compact C.
Driven back-to-back, the predominant feeling form the Cadillac’s driver’s seat is that the Mercedes is the smaller car. Its combination of a rock solid body structure and a suspension that’s a classic German blend of firm highway ride athletic and athletic cornering when called upon) not only distinguish the ‘Benz from the best from Cadillac, but also puts it right up there with the best in the entry-level luxury sedan class.
And where the last generation C Class gave little information as to what the front wheels were doing when turned, this new C 350 4MATIC’s tiller actions are nicely weighted and more communicative.
As mentioned, the C350 4MATIC’s carryover 3.5-litre V6 comes only with 268 hp and 258 lb-ft. Its seven-speed auto, however, makes the most of the power in a straight-line. Whereas the Cadillac can hesitate off the line waiting for its engine to gain revs, the Mercedes’ throttle response is immediate and gear shifts in auto mode are nearly imperceptible. Driving enthusiasts will be annoyed, however, when the tranny—even manual shift mode—decides when to up shift up on its own when the engine speed gets anywhere close to redline.
Despite growing in size with its more accommodating cabin, Mercedes’ attempts to add a little more sport to the new C Class’s sport/luxury equation seems to have worked. The CTS4 may score on the pricing front, but the C350 4MATIC’s wins hands down as the more rewarding car to drive, and ultimately, the better value.
BUY THIS CAR IF ... you want a smooth and quick drivetrain; tight and athletic chassis; nicely weighted steering.
DON'T BUY THIS CAR IF ... you want a transmission with a mind of its own; trying to save a loonie or two.