There’s so much to like about the CTS Sport Wagon. Although basically the same footprint as the CTS sedan’s exterior, the interior space is polar-opposite. The wagon offers up 25 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seat upright and more than 53 cubic feet of space with rear seat folded. Seats are super-comfortable. But getting in and out of the front seats is somewhat difficult due to the roofline’s slope. (A 6-foot-4 man needed to push the front seat back to the maximum setting, which greatly reduced the leg space for the adult seated behind him.) The standard power-operated liftgate—push an in-vehicle button or a keyfob button—accesses an integrated cargo management system that can stow under the floor when not needed.

The tested CTS Sport Wagon was fitted with the optional direct injection 3.6-liter V6 that produces 304 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 273 pounds-feet of peak torque at 5200 rpm. Both the optional engine and the standard 270 horsepower 3.0-liter V6 mate to a smooth-flowing 6-speed automatic transmission. The rear wheel drive vehicle is offered with optional all-wheel-drive. CTS Sport Wagon emphasizes a user-focused cockpit. Among the various comfort items, the digital, dual zone heat/air conditioning control can be set as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit or as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The MSRP for the CTS Premium with 3.6-liter V6 is $48,665 and the estimated mpg is 18 city/26 highway.