I love that the Caddy's front seats slide back so far but there's a price to pay. I slide the seats farther back than I normally would because..., well, because I can. The result is a lot of kicking and front seat backs that are frequently dirty. Hopefully, this will turn out differently with adult passengers...
One day I will invent an alternative vehicle that's powered entirely by kicking the driver's seat from behind - hours of driving for free. Dora sandals optional.
Brian Moody, Road Test Editor @ 2,985 miles
mopar424 says:
04:14 PM, 03/11/08
Wait till those rear console mounted vents/controls get kicked out. Thats fun.
billt9 says:
07:35 PM, 03/11/08
Is that a standard GM full ABS plastic seat back?
If so, kick away. Why else would a seat back be made completely of ABS plastic?
pengwin says:
08:02 PM, 03/11/08
rofl.
estreka says:
08:13 PM, 03/11/08
Are those Ed's shoes? If so, this is a great comparison picture to the Accord in the above blog. ;-)
joefrompa says:
07:58 AM, 03/12/08
Lol...love the post :)
I've found this to be a very common thing in more and more cars....full thick plastic back seats.
I feel it is a tremendous cheaping out in cars where the passengers knees would come in contact with the seat (just about most cars)....I understand that it's incredibly durable, but it's not incredibly pleasant to feel or look at. I've noticed this on Audi and BMW as well (in their A4/3-series)....I don't know if different manufacturers use different materials which yield better or worse over the long run.
Joe
joefrompa says:
08:01 AM, 03/12/08
Kind of an interesting note: I would've never seen it, but compare the Accord backseat to the CTS. Which looks more expensive? I would've expected the pictures to be reversed.
The Accord's leather wraps around to the back of the seat and nicely tucks into something which I can't tell if it's soft or hard from the picture. The back-seat pocket is also a nice sleek leather (or more likely vinyl) appendage.
This would never be a deal breaker or maker for me, but I'd expect the CTS to be a little nicer looking on that seat back.
Joe
stingray454 says:
11:37 AM, 03/12/08
That's not leather on the seat back of the Accord, Joe. That's fine vinyl. The leather is only on the forward facing area of the seat and along the top. Then there's a seam, and the next material is vinyl, which then goes to firm plastic and map pocket.
joefrompa says:
12:17 PM, 03/12/08
Hey Stingray -
I actually said vinyl in the middle of my post...I realized that it most likely wasn't leather all the way around.
Still, very nice compared to thick black plastic.
Joe
stingray454 says:
12:32 PM, 03/12/08
This is what you said: "The Accord's leather wraps around to the back of the seat".
There is no leather on the back of the seat, and it doesn't wrap any further back than it does on the CTS.
benson2175 says:
01:00 PM, 03/12/08
Brian you better be careful. The Aura is holy ground but the CTS that's a whole other level of automotive GM saintdom. Negative gripes could get you filleted by the masses.
redliner says:
02:09 PM, 03/12/08
I hate the CTS, in fact, I rather drive an aveo than drive an ugly, stupid cts.
Just kidding. Just wanted to keep your protective instincts sharp. Lol
joefrompa says:
02:39 PM, 03/12/08
Stingray -
As I can see leather on the back of the CTS's seat, where it tucks into the ABS, then I made the same point you just did. Why are you fighting me on it?
I said, "The Accord's leather wraps around to the back of the seat and nicely tucks into something which I can't tell if it's soft or hard from the picture. The back-seat pocket is also a nice sleek leather (or more likely vinyl) appendage. "
My point was that the leather (or vinyl) continues in the form of a soft surface (apparently vinyl) over the full back of the seat.
I've been in a few cars like that, and it's very nice in the backseat where you are touching that surface frequently (though in the Accord it seems like it wouldn't be a surface my legs would brush across).
I don't understand why cars like the CTS, but also the A4 and 3-series, have hard plastic backs to their seats and the Accord has something softer to touch. Doesn't seem to make sense.
On a side note: I just placed an order for a Legacy GT, which I believe also has a hard-plastic on the back of it's nice leather seats. Don't understand why.
Joe
tcolberg85 says:
03:06 PM, 03/12/08
I don't know if lighting and the angle allows us to accurately tell whether it's a soft material or an all ABS backing on that seat. Maybe we should know before we start complaining that the CTS has worse seats than the Accord?
billt9 says:
04:17 PM, 03/12/08
tcolberg85, it's ABS.
You could just go sit in an actual CTS and not just look at pictures. =D
But here's a clear pic of the shell:
http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/CadillacCTS/Images2008-2/RearSeat.jpg
I suppose it's a plus if you have small children to ferry.
Plastic shell: Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Audi, Acura
Vinyl back: Infiniti
Plastic shells are in style! Do it for the kids!
stingray454 says:
08:18 AM, 03/13/08
I don't like hard plastic shells on seat backs either. I don't get the point of them. They seem cheaper, and they also seem to scuff easier from back seat rider's shoes (especially kids).
Another stupid fashion fad I guess. One that hopefully will die soon along with the gigantic sunglasses in style now.
jerrywimer says:
12:45 PM, 03/13/08
Yes, they *do* scuff a bit easier. They don't, however, get *tears* or rips like leather/vinyl/fabric. The plastic is just much more durable over the long run.