In the latest Consumer Reports' Tests of Sports Sedans, the 2008 Cadillac CTS was ranked above the BMW 328i and the redesigned Mercedes-Benz C300.

The CTS achieved an "Excellent" overall score, surpassing both the 328i and C300, which received "Very Good" overall scores. The CTS is also ranked above some previously-tested sports sedans including the Lexus IS250, the Acura TSX, and the Audi A4.

"The Cadillac CTS now competes toe-to-toe with some of the best German and Japanese sport sedans," said David Champion, senior director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports. "There are more safety features and interior amenities in the new model. Fit and finish is greatly improved, and the interior is much more pleasant than in the previous generation."

More after the jump.

The redesigned 2008 Cadillac CTS beat out the BMW 328i and the redesigned Mercedes-Benz C300 in Consumer Reports' testing of upscale sports sedans for the March issue. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have long been considered by many Americans to set the standard in the sport-sedan category.

The CTS achieved an "Excellent" overall score, surpassing both the 328i and C300, which received "Very Good" overall scores. The CTS is also ranked above some previously-tested sports sedans including the Lexus IS250, the Acura TSX, and the Audi A4.

While the CTS vaulted past most competitors, the Infiniti G35 and Acura TL still outscore it and lead this class in Consumer Reports' ratings. The CTS ranks third among the 12 sports sedans that CR has rated at its Auto Test Center in East Haddam, Connecticut.

In a separate "Auto Test Extra" report, Consumer Reports tested two trim lines of the new Chevrolet Malibu, the four-cylinder LT trim line and a V6-powered LTZ. The redesigned Malibu now ranks among the best family sedans in CR's ratings, just below the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, and Toyota Camry.

The more expensive LTZ posted an "Excellent" score and ranks fourth among family sedans in the $25,000 to $30,000 category. The Malibu LT achieved a "Very Good" overall score; ranking in fifth position overall, and just a fraction of a point behind the four-cylinder Camry LE.

"The Cadillac CTS now competes toe-to-toe with some of the best German and Japanese sport sedans," said David Champion, senior director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports. "There are more safety features and interior amenities in the new model. Fit and finish is greatly improved, and the interior is much more pleasant than in the previous generation."

There were a total of four vehicles in this test group--the CTS, 328i, C300 and Saab 9-3 Aero. The 328i and C300 posted "Very Good" overall scores and are ranked roughly mid-pack. The 9-3 earned a lower overall score, though still high enough to be in the "Very Good" range; it finished near the bottom of the ranking.

Consumer Reports is Recommending two of the vehicles in this test group, the 328i and the 9-3. The reliability of the redesigned CTS and C300 are unknown, so CR cannot recommend either vehicle. Consumer Reports only recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Car Reliability Survey of its own subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.