Nuts & Bolts: 2008 Cadillac CTS4

Complaints: I'm sure there's something wrong somewhere with the CTS4. I looked for defects but didn't find any before this column's deadline. I strongly disagree with critics who say the CTS4 does not run as fast or handle as crisply as its European rivals do. I also disagree with some assessments that there are a few interior ergonomic gaffes (Where? What?), or that some people were upset about rear headroom. (I, Mary Anne and my associate Ria Manglapus are all short. We seldom complain about headroom.) Ride, acceleration and handling: Excellent marks in all three categories.

Head-turning quotient: Strong, evocative emotional appeal.

Body style/layout: The CTS4 is a front-engine, all-wheel-drive, mid-size luxury sports sedan. CTS cars, in base form, come with rear-wheel drive.

Engine: The CTS4 gets a 3.6-liter, 24-valve V-6 that develops 304 horsepower at 6,400 revolutions per minute and 273 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission that can be shifted automatically or manually.

Capacities/tire size and type: There is seating for five adults. Maximum luggage capacity is 13 cubic feet. The fuel tank holds 18 gallons of recommended regular unleaded gasoline. Again, that's regular unleaded. The standard CTS tires are 17-inch diameter all-season radials. The test car came with 18-inch diameter performance all-season radials.

Mileage: In comparison with the federal highway mileage estimate of 26 miles per gallon, we averaged 24 mpg at average traffic speeds (75 mph on the mostly straight-road New Jersey Turnpike). But when we dared to drive posted speeds (55 and 65 mph, best done in the right-hand lane), we got 26 mpg and sometimes better.

Safety: Electronic stability and traction control, side and head air bags, and four-wheel-disc brakes with antilock are standard.

Price: Base price is $34,545. Dealer's invoice price in base model is $32,300. Price as tested is $45,345, with $10,055 in options (including onboard navigation, premium sound system, leather seating surfaces, premium wood trim, sunroof (which is what it's called in cold climates)/moonroof (which is what it's called in hot climates), rain-sensing windshield wipers, high-intensity discharge lamps, 18-inch-diameter performance all-season radial tires and a few other items) and a $745 destination charge. Dealer's price as tested is $41,391. Prices sourced from Cadillac and http://www.edmunds.com.

Purse-strings note: Another home run for Cadillac. It's a buy.