The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is a road-thumping powerhouse that is probably unfairly judged because its a wagon. Despite its old-school looks that are in need of more than just an update, the vehicle is still pretty appealing. Similar to the coupe and sedan versions, the CTS-V Wagon is the kind of vehicle that enthusiasts are likely to fall in line for.

The big issue for the CTS-V Wagon are its outdated aesthetics, but these may be addressed sooner than later now that the all-new CTS Sedan has officially broken cover.

But even with the new-look CTS-V Wagon still at least a year away from arriving, you'll still get what you'll pay for with current generation look. It's significantly less expensive than it's rivals and more importantly, its ridiculous 500-horsepower performance puts it right in line with some of the top models in its class.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon.

2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 556 @ 6100
  • Torque: 551 @ 3800
  • Transmission: six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Not a whole lot of changes as far as the CTS-V Wagon's looks are concerned. The same design is still there that we first saw back in the model's early years.

But there is reason for hope with the unveiling of the new CTS. Like with its coupe and sedan siblings, the arrival of the new-look CTS could usher in a new era for the powerful CTS-V next year. And yes, that should also include the wagon trim of Cadillac's performance model.

2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon - Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase (in / mm):

113.4 / 2880

Length (in / mm):

192 / 4878

Height (in / mm):

58 / 1473

Width (in / mm):

72.5 / 1842

Track (in / mm):

61.8 / 1570 (front)
62.3 / 1582 (rear)

Curb weight (lb / kg):

4396 / 1994 (manual)
4424 / 2007 (automatic)

Weight distribution (% front / rear):

51 / 49


2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon - Standard Exterior Features

- 19" painted aluminum wheels

- 19" performance tires

- Daytime Running Lamps

- Fog lamps, integrated in front fascia

- Headlamp washer system, windshield wiper activiated

- Heated outside mirrors

- High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with Adaptive Forward Lighting

- Liftgate, power

Interior

The interior of the CTS-V Wagon carries the same bells and whistles as the sedan and coupe versions, but the wagon does have some unique items to itself, including plenty of nice Obsidian Black accents on the dashboard and doors. As an added option, you can also dress up the steering wheels and the gear lever with Alcantara, which should drum up the luxury of the wagon even more.

That being said, it would've been nice if Cadillac had put in more work to make the cabin more luxurious. With a car like the E63 AMG S serving as a direct competitor, Caddy should've taken the interior look of the CTS-V Wagon to a similar level.

2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon - Interior Dimensions

Legroom (in / mm):

42.4 / 1078 (front)
36.1 / 916 (rear)

Headroom (in / mm):

38.8 / 986 (front)
37.1 / 941 (rear)

Shoulder room (in / mm):

56.7 / 1441 (front)
57.7 / 1390 (rear)

Hip room (in / mm):

53.7 / 1365 (front)
53 / 1346 (rear)


2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon - Standard Interior Features

- 10-way power driver and front passenger seats

- Adjustable front seat lumbar support

- Ambient Interior Lighting

- Audio system with navigation, single-slot CD player and Bose® surround sound 10-speaker system

- Auto-dimming rearview mirror

- Automatic dual-zone climate control

- Bluetooth® for phone interface

- Cargo shade

- Cruise control, electronic with set and resume speed

- Defogger, rear-window electric

- Door locks, power programmable

- Door locks, rear child security

- Floor mats, carpeted front and rear

- Head restraints, active front

Drivetrain

Like the rest of the CTS-V variants, the wagon version gets its power from a 6.2-liter, V-8 engine that develops 556 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 551 pound-feet of torque at 3,800 rpm. Mileage isn't anything to be proud about at just 12 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway with a six-speed automatic transmission.

2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon - Drivetrain Specifications

Displacement (cu in / cc):

376 / 6162

Bore & stroke (in / mm):

4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92

Block material:

cast aluminum

Cylinder head material:

cast aluminum

Valvetrain:

overhead valve, two valves per cylinder

Fuel delivery:

Sequential fuel injection

Compression ratio:

9.1:1

Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):

556 / 415 @ 6100

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm):

551 / 747 @ 3800

Recommended fuel:

premium required

Maximum engine speed (rpm):

6200

EPA estimated fuel economy (city / hwy):

12 / 18 (auto)
14 / 19 (man)


Prices

The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon retails for $65,825, far more affordable than the price of the E63 AMG S. Premium add-ons could shoot the price up to the range of $80,000 plus, but that's still less than you would pay compared to any of Germany's finest.

Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

$65,825

Premium Exterior Colors

$495

19" high-polished aluminum wheels

$800

19" Satin Graphite wheels

$800

Midnight Sapele Wood Trim Package

$600

Brembo® brake calipers, yellow

$595

Brembo® brake calipers, red

$595

Highway Safety Kit (Dealer-installed)

$85

Wheel locks (Dealer-installed)

$115

UltraView® power sunroof

$1,150

Luggage rack, double cross bows

$325

Black chrome grille (Dealer-installed)

$870

Protective black outdoor car cover (Dealer-installed)

$410

RECARO® performance seats

$3,400

All-weather floor mats (Dealer-installed)

$140

Sueded steering wheel and shift knob

$300


Competition

2014 Mercedes E63 AMG S Wagon

The new E63 AMG S-Model will be offered in both the sedan and station wagon versions, and will add a distinctive look when compared to a standard E63 AMG model, plus a more powerful engine. That's about as high-quality as you can get for one of the best luxury sedans in the market.

The standard AMG 5.5-liter V-8 biturbo engine powers the E63 AMG S Wagon, although output has been updated to deliver an impressive 577 horsepower and a peak torque of 590 pound-feet of torque.

Price for the 2014 E63 AMG S shoots up to just north of $100,000 making it far more bruising on your pockets than a CTS-V Wagon would.

2013 Audi RS5

The Audi RS6 Avant brings no major surprises on the outside, as every detail has been previewed by the sedan version. The RS6’s body is now made of 20-percent aluminum and features numerous components made from high-strength steel. As a result, the new R6 Avant is 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor, which helps it deliver improved power-to-weight ratio.

Under the hood, the RS6 Avant dropped its usual V-10 engine in favor of a new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter TFSI V-8 engine that delivers a total of 560 horsepower between 5,700 and 6,700 rpm, and 516.29 pound-feet of torque between 1,750 and 5,500 rpm. This engine is equipped with two large twin-scroll turbochargers and an additional intercooler inside the cylinder-bank valley – pretty creative use of space.

Over on the other side of the pond, the RS6 Avant retails for £77,000, which is about $124,000 based on the current exchange rates.

Conclusion

The CTS-V Wagon falls in the same problem as that of the coupe and sedan versions. Why buy the old one now when you can just wait for the next-generation model? That's the all-encompassing conundrum with all these different versions of the CTS-V. If you can't wait, it's as good a purchase for a high-performing wagon as you can find, especially with its price tag.

But if you're the patient type, we suggest you sit this one out just wait for next year's model.