Cadillac BLS Saloon full 9 point review
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Performance
Four engines are available in the BLS, including a pair of 2.0-litre turbocharged engines producing 173bhp and 207bhp. There's also a 252bhp 2.8-litre turbocharged V6. However, the 148bhp, 1.9-litre turbodiesel will be the most popular choice – it is smooth and flexible and comes with a particulate filter to minimise smoke emissions, although it doesn't feel particularly vibrant. Not surprisingly, the V6 has a decent turn of speed, but a hesitant automatic gearbox hampers progress.
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Ride & Handling
Despite its American roots, the BLS shares its underpinnings with several European products, but it has its own bespoke suspensions settings. Unfortunately, they do the car few favours – there's a lot of roll through corners, yet the BLS still proves uncomfortably firm over broken surfaces. It's relatively comfortable on smooth motorways, but dull steering and soggy handling mean it isn't much fun when the road turns twisty.
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Refinement
Some wind flutter can be heard at motorway pace, but road noise is all but absent, making the BLS a decent cruiser. The diesel engine is smooth and well muted, while the V6 only becomes vocal when pushed. Unfortunately, the crashy suspension can be heard as well as felt on uneven surfaces.
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Buying & Owning
Getting hold of a BLS will be tricky, because Cadillac dealers are few and far between in the UK. Resale values can't match those of German rivals, either. In its favour, all models are well equipped and are competitively priced, and the diesel model will return 46mpg.
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Quality & Reliability
The BLS appears soldly built, but is nowhere near as classy as most of of its rivals. There's some appealing trim, but most of the switchgear feels flimsy and imprecise. The engines are proven, though, so should present few problems.
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Safety & Security
All models are fitted with twin front side and curtain airbags, traction control and electronic brakeforce distribution as standard. Models from Luxury trim upwards features Cadillac's StabiliTrak electronic stability programme. The security provision is comprehensive and the similarly equipped Saab 9-3 picked up a perfect 100% score in our Security Supertest.
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Behind The Wheel
This is an area in which drivers will find little to criticise, thanks to comfortable, supportive seats and a clear dash layout. There's a good range of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel to accommodate most shapes and sizes of driver, while the instruments are clear and easy to read.
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Space & Practicality
Like most cars in this class, there's plenty of space up front but leg- and headroom in the rear are not exactly generous. Three adults can just about fit across the rear bench, although shoulder space will be tight. The boot will have no problem swallowing a family's weekly shopping, but a couple of sets of golf clubs will present more of a challenge.
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Equipment
The standard trim offers 16-inch alloy wheels, trip computer, three-spoke leather steering wheel with audio control buttons, cruise control, air-conditioning, front and rear electric windows, and a CD player. Luxury adds wipers with rain sensors, an electrically adjustable driver's seat, climate control and 17-inch alloy wheels. Top-of-the-range Sport Luxury has 18-inch alloys, sports suspension, xenon headlamps, and heated and electrically adjustable leather front seats.
BLS used rivals
Cadillac BLS Saloon 1.9D 150 Elegance 4dr
There’s little excitement to be had behind the wheel, especially in this version, but its low price and good spec make it our pick of the range.
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