Cadillac Sts Models & History 2005
Test Drive: 2005 Cadillac STS V6 Review and photos by Haney Louka As my week with the V6 version of Cadillac’s new-for-2005 STS came to an end, it was time to give it a bath, snap some shots, and hand it over to the next lucky journalist. All went well in the wash bay until I got back in the car and hit the start button, part of the Cadillac’s Smart Access system, which allows the driver to fire up the engine without physically inserting a key in the ignition. But this time, a warning message on the dash read “key fob not detected.” No problem, I thought, and I tried it again. And again. I even got out of the car, locked it, unlocked it, got back in and hit the button again. No dice. My first thought was that the remote entry fob, which must be in close proximity to the driver’s seat when the start button is depressed, needed a new battery (which, it turned out, wasn’t the case). So I got the owner’s manual to find out where to stick the key to start the car. After all, there must be a redundant starting system in place for situations such as these, right? Wrong. Turns out that would make the car easier to steal, GM’s representatives told me. Even the folks at mighty OnStar were limited to calling a tow truck to take the car to the local Cadillac dealer. Click image to enlarge I think the edgy styling theme employed by all new Cadillacs is best suited to the STS, which pulls off a sleek appearance, rather than CTS-chunky. Inside, the STS looks and feels like a high-quality piece and there are very few things I would change, save for that oversized steering wheel. Colour coordination is tasteful with just the right glint of chrome class. Dark, tasteful eucalyptus wood is used sparingly on the centre console and dash. The centre stack houses the climate and audio controls trimmed in matte black, imparting a slightly Teutonic feel to the cabin. As in the CTS, there are four soft keys flanking the main display that can be defined by the driver to operate as he or she sees fit. That’s the best way to achieve true intuitive operation of a system that can be used by multiple people. It also allows the maximum number of functions to be available without overcomplicating matters with a central control knob, such as with BMW’s iDrive. For all its capability, the centre stack design is clean and uncluttered. The standard-issue dual-zone climate control worked in a most unobtrusive manner by getting the cabin quickly up to the desired temperature and then backing off in short order. Base MSRP for the V6 Cadillac STS is $55,995. Technical Data: 2005 Cadillac STS V6 Base price $55,995 Options $3,300 (Luxury package of rain-sensing wipers, garage door opener, cargo net, vent system with micro filter, heated seats, memory including mirror and wheel and six-CD system $2,755; eucalyptus trim $545) Freight $1,100 A/C tax $100 Price as tested $60,495 Type 4-door, 5-passenger full size sedan Layout Longitudinal front engine/rear-wheel-drive Engine 3.6-litre V6, DOHC, 24 valves Horsepower 255 @ 6500 rpm Torque 252 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm Transmission 5-speed automatic with manual shift mode Tires 235/50R17 Curb weight 1750 kg (3857 lbs.) Wheelbase 2956 mm (116.4 in.) Length 4986 mm (196.3 in.) Width 1844 mm (72.6 in.) Height 1463 mm (57.6 in.) Cargo capacity 391 litres (13.8 cu. ft.) Fuel consumption City: 14.2 L/100 km (20 mpg Imperial) Hwy: 8.8 L/100 km (32 mpg Imperial) Warranty 4 yrs/80,000 km Powertrain warranty 4 yrs/80,000 km
Keyword: Cadillac Sts 2005