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With all the gloom and doom talk about General Motors, it’s important to realize that the company makes some excellent cars. The Cadillac CTS is one.

The CTS is a midsize, rear-wheel-drive sedan that can take on European brands without apology. The styling is lean and attractive, the interior is well-appointed and comfortable, and the V-6 engine has enough power to be entertaining while delivering decent gas mileage.

The base 3.6-liter engine with variable valve timing has 263 horsepower, while a direct-injection version of the same engine produces 304 horses. The transmission is a six-speed automatic that can be shifted manually.

Prices start at $35,905 for the base model. All-wheel drive with the direct-injection engine begins at $40,760. Standard features include a Bose stereo with eight speakers, the Stabilitrak vehicle stability program, dual climate control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, 17-inch wheels, traction control and anti-lock brakes.

The sedan’s styling hints at forward motion, and fat fender flares emphasize the car’s muscular stance. The rear fenders taper toward the trunk as if to add an exclamation point to the performance look.

Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. Rear-wheel drive gives the best balance for handling, while all-wheel drive gives enhanced traction for snow and rain.

The test car was equipped with the base engine and the sport suspension. The engine is smooth and quiet, and the power is spread across a wide power band that gives the car enhanced drivability. Acceleration is brisk, and the transmission’s firm shifts are pleasant. To reduce noise, Cadillac uses sound-deadening panels around the engine and seals the hood opening with a rubber seal like that on the doors.

The sports suspension yields responsive handling without creating a harsh ride.

The CTS interior is one of the best ever from Cadillac. The choice of materials seems fitting for a car in this segment, and the fit and finish of interior panels is excellent. The instrument panel is covered with a heavily textured material that is accented with French stitching. Three gauges rest under a small hood, and the center stack is covered with brushed aluminum. Tasteful strips of wood-grain trim highlight the dash and door panels.

At night, LEDs highlight items such as the door handles, and they also emit a soft glow from the bottom edge of the wood trim on the instrument panel.

On the road, the CTS is extremely quiet. Triple door seals and a windshield with no visible seal help reduce wind noise.

The CTS embodies a host of technological features that include a 40-gig hard disc that not only stores music but also allows the listener to pause the radio for up to 60 minutes and resume listening without a break. A surround-sound stereo is optional.

The optional navigation screen pops up from the center of the dash, and its display is easy to read and use. Voice activation is standard. Real-time traffic information is available over the XM satellite radio. The CTS has a single-slot DVD video system that enables DVDs to be viewed when the car’s transmission is in park.

Other CTS features include a heated windshield washer fluid system, rear ultrasonic park assist, heated and ventilated front seats and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column.

Price

The base price of the test car was $35,905. Options included 18-inch wheels with performance tires, a limited-slip differential, heated leather seats, Bose stereo with CD player, cooled front seats, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and keyless ignition. The sticker price was $44,450.

Warranty

Four years or 50,000 miles with a five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

2009 Cadillac CTS

Engine: 3.6-liter, 263-hp V-6

Transmission: Automatic

Rear-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 113.4 inches

Curb weight: 3,845 lbs.

Base price: $35,905

As driven: $44,405

MPG rating: 18 city, 26 hwy.

To reach Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.