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Cadillac has enjoyed several seasons of success, the only real turnaround story among General Motors’ divisions.

Escalade hit its stride right off the bat, becoming a favorite for wealthy suburbanites as well as a hip-hop icon. The midsize CTS compares nicely with pricey sports sedans from Europe.

Cadillac’s latest move is the revamp of the STS, switching the full-size sedan to rear-wheel drive and deploying the same chiseled styling that has become the signature look for the GM luxury brand.

STS takes aim at top luxury models from BMW, Lexus, Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz, going for a sporty flair while maintaining the plush ride expected in a Cadillac sedan. Available with V-6 or V-8, rear- or all-wheel drive, STS is priced competitively against the high-end competition while delivering comparable comfort and drivability.

Though I’m not a big fan of large luxury craft, I found STS to have enough of an edge and enough charisma to make it a fine companion for some enjoyable drives. STS felt capable and comfortable and turned one long, early-morning trek into a relaxed cruise.

Maybe not as quiet as a Lexus GS 430, as sharp-performing as a 5-Series BMW or as vaultlike as a Mercedes E-Class, STS presents a style that is distinctly American but updated for today’s more-demanding drivers. Gone is the mushy ride and numb steering of large Cadillacs from the past, replaced by refined performance and sophistication.

Overall, a strong entry among the current crop of superb luxury cars.

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The lowdown

PERFORMANCE: The 320-horsepower V-8, one of Cadillac’s Northstar designs, pulls with real muscle, though the sedan’s 2-ton heft blunts some of the power. Zero to 60 comes in less than six seconds, according to Cadillac.

The engine feels refined but with enough growl under acceleration for a sporty rush. Fuel mileage is not too bad, at 17 city and 26 highway, according to the EPA.

For those who need more, there’s the supercharged STS-V that churns 469 horsepower. Zoom!

DRIVABILITY: The initial sense of driving STS was big and heavy, though after a few miles, I began to appreciate how lithe and well-sorted this car really is.

The STS return to rear-wheel drive after years of front-drive resonates well with luxury-car drivers who appreciate the classic relationship among torque, handling and the flow of power to the rear wheels.

There also is an all-wheel-drive option, which puts STS on par with its AWD competitors, such as Audi.

STYLING: Cadillac’s signature front-end look, most evident on the angular CTS, fits in well with the updated image of STS. Too bad the design stops with the grille; the flanks and rear look as generic as any Lexus.

INTERIOR: The lush interior is good-looking and comfortable, with a masculine style that has the leather-and-wood aura of an old-school men’s club.

Most power and convenience features are present, although too much of the cool stuff comes as part of a $10,740 option package. Seems like some of these options should be part of the $47,520 base price, rather than having it shoot up past $60,000.

BOTTOM LINE: An accommodating luxury craft with enough sporty personality to make it interesting and to compete straight up with the imports.

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RELATED

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door sedan, rear-wheel drive.

Engine: 4.6-liter V-8, 320 horsepower at 6,400 rpm, 315 pound-feet of torque at 4,400.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic.

Wheelbase: 116.4 inches.

Overall length: 196.3 inches.

Curb weight: 3,921 pounds.

EPA rating: 17 city, 26 highway.

Highs: Luxury aura, good handling, lush interior.

Lows: Pricey options package, heavy feel, bland rear styling.

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Pricing

Base price: $47,520.

Price as tested: $60,575.

OPTIONS

* Luxury package: magnetic ride control; performance disc brakes with anti-lock; performance handling package; power, heated seats; eucalyptus wood trim; Bose surround-sound, six-CD audio upgrade; navigation system; high-intensity headlights with automatic high-beam control; tire-pressure monitor; sunroof; $10,740.

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