2004 BMW 545i vs. 2005 Cadillac STS

Underhood lies the latest version of GM's first volume-produced all-aluminum DOHC V-8. The 320-horse Northstar V-8 got a major overhaul in 2004; 80 percent of its parts are new. Still, with several hundred more pounds and 80 fewer horses, the new STS isn't the four-door Corvette the CTS-v is. Nor should it be. One editor offered, "Give GM credit for realizing that it cannot build a German car, but this is a nice blend of American traditionalism and up-to-date international dynamics." The Northstar V-8's throttle tip-in is crisp, never jerky. Wind it out, and it's butter-smooth, yet it doesn't have as wide a powerband as the BMW V-8 does, achieving its peak horsepower and torque higher in the rev range. Added a staffer, "rear drive is such a welcome change; now you can romp on the throttle without wrecking the nicely weighted steering."

As much as we like more gears, as opposed to less, the STS's five-speed automatic seems a better mate than the 545's six-speeder. The STS uses the same GM adaptive transmission as the BMW X5 sport/utility; it changes shift strategy based on throttle position and lateral g it reads from the standard StabiliTrak system. Said one editor, "The Caddy is always in the right gear at the right time, no hunting required, and reads my right foot perfectly when a downshift or two is needed."

One staffer summed up the STS's appeal: "Its ride is more supple than the BMW's. It doesn't handle quite as surely, but it's grippy, nicely balanced, and probably packs all the handling prowess that its owner group is ever going to ask for. Unless your commute includes 150-mph blasts on the autobahn, the STS's ride/handling balance is better than the BMW's."

Caddy's IP is a nice balance of style and driver-oriented function. Short shifter stalk works nicely with manumatic trans control. The revised (for rear-drive) Northstar V-8 is strong, although doesn't quite match the BMW's punch.

Our Take: Cadillac STS

What's Hot   Rear drive, rear drive, rear drive!   Sweet Northstar V-8   Harmonic convergence of Art & Science

What's Not   Stingy on rear legroom   Daytime glare on nav-system screen   Manumatic shifter works backwards

Don't Miss Magnetic shocks give fantastic ride/handling balance

Bottom Line A credible, American-style sport-luxury sedan that never forgets who's writing the checks