Drivers Log.(Cadillac STS)(Product/Service Evaluation)

2005 Cadillac STS

Date in fleet: Jan. 18-Feb. 1 As-tested price: $44,585 Powertrain: 3.6-liter V6; rwd, five-speed automatic Output: 255 hp @ 6500 rpm, 252 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm Curb weight: 3857 lbs

WILSON: This is a nice piece. This one is not heavily optioned-no nav or XM or other gizmometry-and therefore slides in under $45K.

Aesthetically, this is a big American sedan, but it's more elegant than any of the other new Caddys. No wood inside, which I applaud; the brushed metal trim is handsome and doesn't hold onto fingerprints, even greasy ones, and the instrument panel is functional, free of glitzy confusion. You can probably make it more baffling by going high-zoot with options, but there are still many of us who find no need to spend 15 minutes in the driveway, pre-departure, programming 20 MP3 tracks just for a one-hour commute. We also expect that anyone admitted to the confines of our cars' back seats will be entertained by conversing with those in front, at least on any journey within two states. For us, a dashboard that does what we want when we want and doesn't put other extraneous hoo-ha in the way is worthy of our applause. It's hardly as basic as a Cobalt, but neither is there a single "mouse-like human interface device'' in this cabin. It, and we, are better for it.

The driving quality is world-class. It doesn't feel like a copy of anything else or even a wannabe. The Caddy's twin-cam six is smooth and quiet; I could only detect shifts from the five-speed when I went on ...