2014 Cadillac CTS moves up in size, style, and price

The 2014 Cadillac CTS sedan promises to be sportier and more luxurious than its predecessor, but that extra niftiness comes with a higher sticker price.

The 2014 CTS has a base price of $46,025 (including a $925 destination charge), compared to $39,095 for a base 2013 model. The top Vsport model starts at $59,995, compared to $59,090 for a fully-laden 2013.

However, Cadillac says the new CTS is five inches longer than the outgoing car, moving it up into the midsize luxury sedan class, and comes with 20 new standard features.

Those features include CUE (Cadillac User Experience), the luxury brand’s touch-screen based infotainment system. CUE seeks to replicate the look and feel of a tablet on a car’s dashboard, but it can be as difficult to use as a tablet mounted to a car’s dashboard.

The Vsport model itself is also worth noting. Equipped with the top 420 horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6, sportier chassis tuning, and an electronic limited-slip differential, it will bridge the gap between regular CTS models and the V8-powered CTS-V, the return of which we are eagerly awaiting.

With its new stature, the CTS has also gained new competition in the form of the Audi A6 BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The Caddy undercuts the Bimmer’s base price by $1,800, and the Benz’s by $5,875. However, it’s $3,825 more than a base 2013 A6.

Granted, buyers looking for a bargain basement A6 will have to specify the 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder, which produces 211 hp and 258-pound-feet. CTS buyers are treated to 272 hp and 295 lb-ft, courtesy of Cadillac’s own turbocharged 2.0-liter.

The CTS also bests the base turbocharged 2.0-liter in the base BMW 528i; it develops 245 hp and 258 lb-ft. The base Mercedes E350 comes with a 3.5-liter V6 with 302 hp and 273 lb-ft.

Gearheads will also note that the base A6 is front-wheel drive, while the default configuration for the CTS is rear-wheel drive (both cars are offered with optional all-wheel drive). The CTS is also weighs 200 pounds less than a BMW 528i. Both traits should make this Caddy a star in the corners.

We’ll have to reserve final judgment on that point until we can drive a 2014 CTS for ourselves, though. It arrives in showrooms this fall. Until then, read more about the 2014 Cadillac CTS here.