LOOKS

On the outside, my test vehicle was a nice shiny black Cadillac with smooth lines -- not a bad look for a car. The distinctive grille is one that's recognizable from afar.

Inside, materials are high-end throughout, including a sharp black and maroon leather interior that feels quite regal. Of all the luxury sedans I have driven, only a couple have outshined the CTS in terms of design. The interior is roomy, with no lack of legroom in the back seat and room for a tall driver to stretch their legs.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER

Looks are important, but it’s more important how a car drives -- and the CTS is a blast to drive. A 2.0-liter turbo engine is offered on the base CTS, but my vehicle had the upgrade to a 3.6-liter, V6 engine that boasted 335 horsepower.

My test vehicle was all-wheel drive, but the base CTS is rear-wheel drive.

To fully feel what a CTS can do in terms of speed, you’ll need to experience the CTS-V, but my test vehicle (a Premium Collection CTS) also delivered some impressive power and adequate get-up-and-go from a stop. Handling was responsive and the cabin is sealed quiet from road noise.

The often-asked question in the luxury category is whether a vehicle compares well in driving capability/experience to highly regarded international brands like BMW, Benz and Audi, and the answer here is that the CTS passes that test well. There's little to no difference in the enjoyment factor between the CTS and those other brands' luxury sedans.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
Now we’re getting down to the nitty gritty of what makes this vehicle special: The bevy of tech features offered in the 2016 CTS.

First, let’s get the semi-bad news out of the way. The Cadillac CUE system is still in use, and it still has some issues with the physical buttons not being responsive enough.

The physical design of the CUE system is impressive, though (borrowing a look from Cadillac’s signature V grille).

The good news is that voice commands worked very well for me during my time with the CTS, so using the touch buttons wasn’t always needed. The navigation system also did its job impressively.

The tech highlight in the CTS (for iPhone users at least) is the inclusion of Apple CarPlay, which brings Siri into your car. Plug in your compatible iPhone to the CTS via a Lightning charger, and your phone’s interface becomes the touchscreen and you can access phone calls, music, maps, etc., as if it was on your phone. This is a pretty cool feature, and signals the beginning of an interesting battle shaping up with Android Auto, as smartphone operating systems fight for supremacy in the car. Stay tuned to see where this new frontier in auto tech leads, as this is just the beginning.

Other tech features offered on the CTS include:

-- Pandora integration
-- 8-inch touchscreen
-- Bluetooth connection
-- An amazing Bose sound system
-- Head-Up Display to so you can keep your eye on the road and still know how fast you’re going.

-- 4G Mobile Hotspot offered in the car (for a fee after limited trial)
-- LED lighting that is bright and helpful
-- Helpful surround-view backup camera

-- Smart Seat belts tighten to proper level. (Somewhat surprising the first time it happens)

-- Rear shade to keep sun out; self-retracts when you are backing up so you can out of rear.

-- OnStar and all the safety and peace of mind that brings.

-- Blind spot warning system

And to top it off, the CTS has near-perfect government safety rankings, something we all would like in a vehicle.

MPG
Official numbers on the all-wheel-drive version of the CTS are 19 city/28 highway/22 combined.; I averaged about 21 mph. Auto start/stop technology will help you save a little fuel along the way, shutting the engine down at stop lights and starting it again once you move.

PRICE
Prices on the CTS vary widely and there are many versions, from a base CTS for just over $45,000, all the way up to the extra-speedy V-sport version that starts just under $70,000.

My Premium Collection test vehicle was just a tick below the top level, coming in at $67,925. Not cheap for sure, but you can see what you are paying for.

BOTTOM LINE

Cadillac is keeping up with the times with its newest CTS midsize sedan.

Not only is the vehicle a blast to drive and beautiful to look at, the tech options offered are on par with any luxury vehicle in the world and will be a big selling point for those shopping in the luxury market.

Also, getting on board early with ApplePlay is smart for GM and Cadillac, as it could become a very popular feature and help lure buyers to the car.

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu