Friday evening my friend Sara called and sadly informed me that for the first time in five years she was single.  So like any good friend would do I called a few close girlfriends and we planned an extravagant ladies night out in the hottest night club.  We dressed in our sexiest dresses, hair done and make up to kill.  At 9 o’clock I picked up my friends in my new Cadillac XTS, each one of us looking hotter than the next.  This was definitely going to be a night to remember!

As we pulled up to the valet parking there was a man helping the car in front of us, another behind the podium of keys and a few men scattering about the entrance to the club.  It was my turn to pull my XTS in to be checked by the valet, yet no one was there to help us.  So I put the car in park and opened my door to stretch my long 5’9’’ bare naked legs finalized with my newest five inch stiletto.  Immediately I heard from the rear of the car, “NICE!!!”  At that moment I looked up and saw every man’s head in the parking lot starring and gawking in our direction.  I stepped out of the car… a bit turned off thinking to myself, is this really what men think a woman wants to hear?  Before handing him the push start keys I said with a disappointed tone, “Excuuuse Meee?”

“The car!!! Is this the new Cadillac XTS,” the valet guy asked with his jaw wide open?

“Yes it is…” I replied.

I was taken aback that a car filled with four hot women was downgraded by a car.  He took the keys from me and handed over the ticket and said, “Have a good night Miss,” and immediately sat in the driver’s seat.

His hands went directly to the Cadillac Cue LCD touch screen.  This screen contains the GPS navigation system, in-reverse driving video screen, and radio panel.  The GPS navigation system is standard and is displayed not only in the center dashboard CUE LCD screen but also in the LCD screen behind the steering wheel that includes the speedometer and the hologram located in the windshield. When shifting the gear into reverse the CUE LCD screen shows through video what is behind you, as well as a collision alert feature warning you of any oncoming cautions by either beeping or vibrating the seat, depending on your preference. This can be set along with your own personal settings.

Under the LCD screen is a touch slide volume control, temperature control, seat temperature control, glove box door opener, hazards, and the option to turn on or off the lane departure alert system.  This feature vibrates your seat if you cross a traffic line on the left or right without signaling before changing lanes.  The seat temperature selection of heat allows your driving experience to be comfortable during the winter months and is amazing during the summer temperatures by preventing your bare legs from sweating and sticking to the seat.

I had to admit… the valet driver went to one of my favorite features of the car. He gracefully put the car into drive and slowly pulled away only to step on the brake and put the car in park. “Miss!!”  he yelled to me as I was putting the parking ticket into my purse.  “Your car seats vibrate… did I do something?” 

“Yes” I said.  “The near collision alert system vibrates the seat to warn the driver the car is too close to another vehicle.”

As well as vibrating the seat, a warning sign shows in the LCD screen.  This screen has four different options that can be set to the drivers’ preference as to where they would like each gage to be viewed.   Along with the driver side dashboard screen there is a small, yet convenient hologram of the speed and GPS directions that light on the windshield in front of the driver allowing to see how fast the car is traveling without removing their eyes from traffic.  This is a great safety feature among many in the Cadillac XTS.  At this point the valet couldn’t contain himself and sheepishly asked, “Would you mind if it take it around the block?” I told my girlfriends to go inside and get themselves a drink.  I walked over, sat in the passenger seat and said “OK… Let’s go…”

We pulled onto the main road and he excitedly expressed the comfort of the steering as we glided into the combination of traffic on the main strip.  As he put the left blinker on and looked at the driver’s side mirror he was excited to see that not only does the driver (and passenger side) mirror direct other vehicles of your intended turn but also in the reflection of the mirror, a blind spot warning signal which is symbolized by two cars colliding into each other is highlighted in the mirror.  With immediate action he looked out the back window and saw another vehicle there.

“Wow!!!  This has a warning of cars in your blind spot?”

Yea, it’s actually one of my favorite, yet worst features of the XTS! So many times in my previous car I was about to change lanes and came close to an accident because of another car in my blind spot.  In the XTS I always look at my mirror for the flashing symbol before changing lanes and I’m afraid in the future I will become dependent on this feature and will not do the full motion of looking for an actual vehicle.  Electronics all have a life expectancy and I hope I don’t lose my habit of actually taking the time to look for another vehicle.

After we drove a few blocks he commented on the power of the Cadillac XTS with the direct injected 3.6 liter V6, and 300N4 horse power engine. Hitting the highway this car can go from 0-60mph in just under 7 seconds. It is a very quiet car and easy to drive with its standard magnetic ride control as it firmed up or soften the shocks instantly. The hydraulic steering system made driving easy and enjoyable as we weaved in and out of traffic as well as when we turned back onto the city streets to drive back to the club.

We returned to the driveway and parked the car.  He made numerous comments about the interior of the car with the sunroof and extended glass roof, the comfort of the seats not being too hard of soft, the Bose sound system and the spaciousness of the back seats.  I opened the trunk to show him the size capacity which was larger than any other car I’ve owned in the past.

He locked the door as we walked to the door of the club and he repeatedly expressed to me his gratitude for letting him test drive my new car.  I replied by saying I was more than happy to show off my ‘baby’ and glad he had a good experience….but now it was time to get back to my friends and make sure Sara was having the night of her life.

Kennedy Kasey is a model, writer and resident girl about town. Follow her adventures on her regular weekly adventure “Kennedy Rules.”