There are two V6 engines on offer initially, a 2.8-litre and 3.6-litre. Both have decent pull, but the standard automatic gearbox lets the side down. It’s reluctant to kick down for overtaking, so you are never certain when it’s safe to pull out.

Cadillac has gone all out to make the CTS meet European tastes, and has done a decent job. The car is stable at speed, controlled over bumps and around bends, and rides reasonably, although it can patter over rough surfaces. The steering is limp in a straight line, but weights up in corners.

Road and wind noise are occasionally present, but no worse than in some rivals. The engines are noisy when revved hard, but this is not an unpleasant note, although they can feel coarse. The biggest impediment is the slow-to-kick-down automatic gearbox, which hinders overtaking and smooth driving on twisty routes.

The Cadillac CTS won’t be an easy car to own. Only six showrooms are planned in the first year of UK sales, so buying the car and having it looked after is going to be a complicated business, and this is bound to affect resale values. Everyday running costs will be on the steep side, too.

Cadillac’s rating in American satisfaction surveys is going up all the time, which augurs well for the UK market. However, the cabin trim does not match up to top-notch European quality, but it’s reasonably smart and feels durable.

Every model of the Cadillac has an impressive array of safety equipment fitted as standard, including driver, passenger and side airbags, as well as curtain airbags that run the length of the cabin. There’s also electronic stability control. On the security front, the doors automatically lock just after entry, and an alarm and immobiliser are standard.

All models come with an electrically adjustable driver’s seat as standard, but the steering wheel adjusts only for height in a strange arcing movement, and the wheel and pedals are poorly placed in relation to each other. The controls are functional, large and easy to read and are a mix of rotary dials and simple push buttons. The six-speed gearbox is notchy and imprecise. The steering is vague at speed, although its weighting does rise when cornering.

The CTS has lots of rear legroom but headroom is not sufficient for six-footers. The boot is large but poorly shaped because of the rear suspension, and there’s no pull-down handle. The rear seats fold.

Every car comes with leather seats, alloy wheels, climate control and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat fitted as standard equipment. Top-spec Sport Luxury models have xenon headlights and larger wheels and tyres. The short options list includes an electric sunroof and metallic paint.