I think it's pretty apparent where the STS-V compared with the CLS: just look at the points awarded. Unlike many other mags, C&D puts down into objective points what they feel subjectively, so that the
degree of subjectivity can at least be weighted in relative context. If you don't like the same attributes they do, then you can adjust the points to your liking (or disregard them entirely). Besides, the difference in points between them is so small as to essentially be a wash: this says that AMG has brought a
lot to the table even though it costs more.
From the points (not to mention the text of the article), it's apparent the STS-V had a good combination of handling without sacrifice to ride (something generally pretty hard to attain with runflats). It also scored well in subjective braking (I think the CLS is equipped with brake-by-wire, isn't it? I've heard that's pretty devoid of brake pedal feel important for modulation), as well as steering.
It's funny that when an American mag favors an American car over a Euro or Japanese one, the automatic reaction is either bias or greased palms (or any combination of both). So they picked the STS-V. So what? They also picked the M5 over the STS-V. (If any of you have followed C&D comparos in the past, if any BMW is included, it's almost a sure bet the BMW will win; is that automatically bias?)
C&D also picked the F430 and Gallardo over the Ford GT, and even included performance points for the Gallardo on test even though its clutch gave out before that testing could be done. Is that bias in favor of American machinery? It should be noted that I can count the # of Ferrari ads in C&D over the past decade on less than 1 finger.
The truth of the matter is, up until a couple of years ago, if any American car were placed up against any group of Euro or Japanese cars, it's a sure bet the American cars would place dead last, or pretty well near it (just look at any comparo involving the STS's FWD predecessor). Now, many American cars are built and performing much better than before. This is not lost even on the Euro mags, at least one of which has already openly admitted to a snobbish prejudice against American machines.
As an example, look at recent reviews of these Cadillacs:
STS:
http://www.autocarmagazine.com/First....asp?RT=210423
CTS-V:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/driven/...llac_ctsv.html
If those kinds of comments were written about Cadillacs 3-4 years ago, I would have thought the author were smoking crack. But times change.
Car&Driver: STS-V vs CLS 55 vs M5
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