2011 Cadillac CTS 3.6 vs. 2012 Buick LaCrosse 9.8 Winner Cadillac CTS 3.6 starting from $39,225 "The biggest surprise though, would have to be the transmission...we were glad to have it." automobilemag.com | talking about the CTS's transmission "The FE3 suspension on our tester manages the car’s considerable weight with supreme competence, keeping body motions in check through quick switchbacks." automobilemag.com | talking about the CTS's ride quality Reasons to buy the Cadillac CTS 3.6 Good cornering ability 0.9 g Entertainment system Optional Navigation system Optional Average top speed 146 mph 9.7 Runner-up Buick LaCrosse starting from $34,930 Reasons to buy the Buick LaCrosse Spacious back seats 49.0 ft3 Better drivetrain traction all-wheel drive Power outlets Standard Average-sized front seats 52.6 ft3

Road Tests 9.0 vs 10.0 Winner: CTS 3.6 [details] The CTS 3.6 can change direction more than 10% faster, 0.9 g vs 0.79 g The CTS 3.6 can go around 10% faster than the LaCrosse , 146 mph vs 133 mph The CTS 3.6 needs around 10% less space to stop from 60mph, 108 ft vs 114 ft Luxury Features 10.0 vs 9.6 Winner: LaCrosse [details] Leather-appointed interiors are available on both; but it comes standard with the LaCrosse Cost 10.0 vs 10.0 Too close to call [details] Longer basic warranty Longer-lasting basic warranty Very inefficient in the city Safety Features - vs 10.0 Missing information [details] Child door locks come standard Crash Test Ratings 10.0 vs - Missing information [details] Performance - vs 10.0 Missing information [details] Fairly powerful Neither has an air compressor to maximize power output Practicality - vs 10.0 Missing information [details] Both have a rear seat that folds down for extra storage space Entertainment System - vs 10.0 Missing information [details] Overall 9.7 vs 9.8

Road Tests

	Buick LaCrosse			Cadillac CTS 3.6
	0-60 mph	6.6 seconds	vs	6.1 seconds	Both vehicles have good 0-60 times
	Braking distance at 60mph	114 ft	vs	108 ft	The CTS 3.6 has extraordinary brakes, and the LaCrosse is pretty good, too
	1/4 mile	15.1 s @ 94 mph	vs	14.6 s @ 96 mph	The CTS 3.6's 1/4 mile time is zippy, but the LaCrosse 's is just OK
	Lateral acceleration	0.79 g	vs	0.9 g	The CTS 3.6 has good cornering abilities, but the LaCrosse is not very good for this class of vehicle
	Top speed	133 mph	vs	146 mph	Both vehicles' top speed is just average

Luxury Features

	Buick LaCrosse			Cadillac CTS 3.6
	moon roof	Not Available	vs	Not Available	Neither offers a sun roof
	power seats	Standard	vs	Standard	Both have power seats
	keyless entry	Standard	vs	Standard	Both have keyless entry
	leather	Standard	vs	Optional	Leather-appointed interiors are available on both; but it comes standard with the LaCrosse

Cost

	Buick LaCrosse			Cadillac CTS 3.6
	MSRP	$34,930	vs	$39,225	Both are priced reasonably
	In-city gas mileage	16 mpg	vs	18 mpg	Very inefficient in the city
	basic warranty miles	50,000 mile	vs	50,000 mile	Longer basic warranty
	basic warranty years	4 year	vs	4 year	Longer-lasting basic warranty

Safety Features

	Buick LaCrosse			Cadillac CTS 3.6
	antilock brakes	Standard	vs	Standard	Both come standard with ABS brakes
	Stability control system	Unknown	vs	Yes
	Airbags	5	vs	5	OK number of airbags
	Rear brakes	Disc	vs	Disc	Both have the usual brakes for this class of vehicle
	child door locks	Standard	vs	Standard	Child door locks come standard
	Roadside assistance system	OnStar	vs	OnStar

Crash Test Ratings

	Buick LaCrosse			Cadillac CTS 3.6
	Rollover resistance	4 stars	vs	Unknown
	Front driver crash test	5 stars	vs	Unknown
	Driver side crash test	5 stars	vs	Unknown

Performance

	Buick LaCrosse			Cadillac CTS 3.6
	Horsepower	303 HP @ 6,800 RPM	vs	304 HP @ 6,400 RPM	Fairly powerful
	Number of gears	6	vs	6	Average number of gears
	Transmission	Semi-automatic transmission	vs	Automatic transmission	The LaCrosse 's semi-automatic transmission is a rare find for this class of vehicle
	paddle shifters	Unknown	vs	Not Available
	Air compressor	None	vs	None	Neither has an air compressor to maximize power output
	Power-to-weight ratio	Unknown	vs	12.9 lb/hp
	Drivetrain type	all-wheel drive	vs	rear-wheel drive	The LaCrosse has a good drivetrain for driving off-road or in poor weather
	Curb-to-curb turning radius	Unknown	vs	35.9 ft

Practicality

	Buick LaCrosse			Cadillac CTS 3.6
	Passengers	5	vs	5	Average number of seats
	Highway driving range	494 miles	vs	486 miles	Average highway range
	Cargo space	13.3 ft3	vs	10.5 ft3	The LaCrosse has OK cargo room, while the CTS 3.6 has very little
	front seats	52.6 ft3	vs	50.7 ft3	The LaCrosse has average-sized front seats, while the CTS 3.6 is very cramped
	folding rear seats	Standard	vs	Standard	Both have a rear seat that folds down for extra storage space
	power outlets	Standard	vs	Not Available	The LaCrosse 's standard power outlets will keep your gadgets charged; not available on the CTS 3.6
	roof rails	Not Available	vs	Not Available	Neither offers roof rails
	navigation system	Not Available	vs	Optional	The CTS 3.6 offers an optional navigation system; not available on the LaCrosse
	Cupholders	Unknown	vs	4
	front air conditioning	Standard	vs	Standard	A/C for hot summer days comes standard

Entertainment System

	Buick LaCrosse			Cadillac CTS 3.6
	Number of speakers	Unknown	vs	8
	Has speed sensitive volume	Unknown	vs	No
	CD player	Standard	vs	Standard	CD player comes standard
	premium radio	Not Available	vs	Optional	Like your tunes? In the CTS 3.6, you can upgrade to satellite radio
	Has auxiliary audio input	Unknown	vs	No
	Has subwoofer	Unknown	vs	No
	entertainment system	Not Available	vs	Optional	It'll cost you to get an entertainment system on the CTS 3.6; but it's not available at all on the LaCrosse

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