Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

While the five seat CUV may be the best selling market segment, I struggle to see what any of them offer that this rare Cadillac can’t match or surpass. A higher seating position and the option of AWD aren’t available here, but the average driver thinks they need those more than they actually do. This big wagon can haul the kids and all their stuff. It can also haul you down a drag strip or leave the kids hurling their lunches from the sheer cornering forces. This is a best-of-both-worlds car. A have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too moment. A driving experience rare enough that I’m typing cliches and may have to bring up the tired and worn comparison to Jekyll and Hyde.

That’s right. I did it. And it was worth it.

In a decision that seems to have come from a bar instead of a boardroom, GM put a detuned version of the Corvette ZR1 engine into their full size wagon body and even offered a six-speed manual. The result is a car with 560 supercharged horsepower and magnetic ride control to give the family wagon the agility of an M3. If you think a station wagon is one fun-step lower than a minivan, you might want to hang on to something.

As Americans we have a lingering bad perception of wagons, and many seem to instantly think of the wood-paneled monstrosity from the “Vacation” movies. Car enthusiasts secretly lust for the fast wagons of Europe, eyeing the E63 AMG, RS6, or M5 wagon from afar. These unreachable icons offer high-speed, family space, and even good handling. Yet here’s a homegrown version that gets forgotten.

Most supercars are made in low numbers, increasing their exclusivity by lack of availability. The fact that there are just over 600 CTS-V Wagons made with a six-speed should turn this car into an automotive holy grail. However, the wagon shape wrecks the prestige and drops them past stealth into completely unseen by most people. If you sat at a stoplight with a 911 Turbo and a CTS-V Wagon you’ll probably stare at the Porsche, but should be gawking at the unicorn wagon.

This car calls CUVs into question. It gives car-enthusiast parents supercar capability without chopping legs off their children. If you need the CUV space, but wish you could take a two-seater on the school run, this is your answer.

But. Good luck finding one. Thanks to Raul for loaning this one to us!

Would you drive a CTS-V Wagon for your family car?

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