The Cadillac CTS-V is a tough car to classify. At first glance, you might call the CTS-V a luxury car – but how many luxury cars can claim 556hp? Not many (the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and Jaguar XF-R come to mind, but each are over 80K).

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V | Image Courtesy of Car and Driver

That leaves us feeling as if the Cadillac CTS-V is best classified as a “luxury performance car under 60K”. Of course, you can’t classify a car unless it has a comparative model, and the closest thing we’ve found is the 2009 BMW M3. It came as no surprise to us that both the Cadillac and the BMW were named to Car and Driver’s 10 Best Cars of 2009 list. But let’s take a closer look at the two models…

The 2009 BMW M3 (Coupe is pictured) | Image Courtesy of Car and Driver

Price: The 2009 BMW M3 Sedan starts at $54,850 – nearly $3,500 cheaper than the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V 6.2L SFI, with an opening sticker price of $58,280.

Body Styling: Beyond each car’s uniquely distinctive grill, there are more similarities between these two models than differences. The Cadillac is more angular overall, while the M3 is shorter (almost a full foot) and rounder. BMW fans will prefer the M3’s look – Caddy fans, no doubt the opposite.

Engine: The CTS-V is a beast, sporting 556hp@6100rpm in a 6.2L V8. No slouch, the BMW M3 packs 414hp@8300rpm in a 4.0L V8. (Keeping things in perspective, the M3 weighs nearly 500 pounds less than the CTS-V).

Performance: We’re still waiting a see a no-holds-barred battle between these two, but if past results are any indicator of future probability, BMW is in trouble. In a 2008 road test performed by GM, the CTS-V smoked the BMW M3 (and M5) on the Nürburgring.

What the Auto Critics are Saying:

“…the Caddy engine could be considered a slightly detuned version of the ZR1’s 638-hp LS9, but its titanium-free valvetrain and connecting rods and its conventional wet-sump oil system actually make it more akin to a supercharged version of the standard Corvette 6.2-liter.” – Car and Driver, 2009 Cadillac CTS-V review

“BMW’s new M DCT is also a twin-clutch box like the 911’s but with two paddles-left for down, right for up-to change gears in a fluid eye blink.” – Car and Driver, 2009 Ford Mustang review

Given that these two are being compared to a Corvette and Porsche respectively, there’s no questioning their performance. So let’s take a look at what the luxury crowd has to say.

Quotes from Car Buyers:

“3.8 Sec for 0-60 and significantly less than other luxury cars. Nothing in the market is even close. A big plus is that Cadillac is constantly in the top of JD Powers and others for Quality and reliability.” – Buyer review on Yahoo.com

“I’ll give you the owner’s perspective. Unlike my X5, hand brake is manual…BMW can do better. The window seals allow water in during a wash. Incidentally my 528i also had the same problem so this may be an issue BMW needs to work on.”  – Buyer review on Yahoo.com

Final Thoughts: Given what we’ve seen thus far, the CTS-V has the M3 bested in performance and from a luxury perspective. Before we pass final judgment, we’d like to hear more from owners of each respective car (if you, or anyone you know owns either car, write in to tell us what you think). That being said, I don’t think any of us could have entertained the idea of a Caddy matching a BMW in performance only five short years ago. Beating the BMW is nothing short of mind boggling.