Fresh touches for one of Cadillac’s lame ducks

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2008 Cadillac STS - Ride and Handling

Handling
Michelin Pilot Sport tires (part of the Performance Handling Package) helped our STS stick in the corners even when pushed to extremes. That $1,600 add-on also included Brembo brakes which provided for a level of confidence base STS buyers may not enjoy. With excellent modulation and nary a hint of fade, these binders allowed for worry-free downhill jaunts all test-day long. The suspension did well to measure up, though the steering, which lacked road feel and longed for a tighter ratio, made the argument for the STS being more luxury than sport.

Fun to Drive
Years ago, the idea of a large Cadillac sedan with a V-6 engine providing any semblance of fun would have been preposterous. These days, however, the brand has reinvented itself, offering engaging rides even beyond the bounds of its V series. Much to our amazement, the V-6 equipped STS can actually make for a fun afternoon of canyon carving, provided the Performance Handling Package has been added. Sure, the steering could be more responsive and the engine less rowdy at high revs, but the only real culprit was the transmission that occasionally became confused. Then again, dropping ‘er into manual mode takes care of that issue.