---
title: "How to Thanksgiving Road Trip in a New Cadillac CTS-V"
description: "With great power comes great trepidation."
date: "2015-11-25"
modified: "2015-11-25"
authors:
  - name: "Sean Evans"
    job_title: "Entertainment Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/sean-evans"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/1020/how-to-thanksgiving-road-trip-in-a-new-cadillac-cts-v"
categories:
  - "Cadillac Reviews"
  - "Car Reviews"
tags:
  - "Cadillac"
  - "sedan"
---

# How to Thanksgiving Road Trip in a New Cadillac CTS-V

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/1125ctsvhero.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

You like cars. Powerful ones. You’re headed to Thanksgiving dinner, out of town, with your girlfriend and another couple. You do the logical thing and procure a 2016 Cadillac CTS-V for the jaunt. You cannot wait to unleash those 640 horses in a frenzy of machismo.

So when you pick up the group, you gloat about the car—the power, the torque, the pedigree. You are greeted with stony silence. Someone finally says, “Well, I hope we don’t die.” Now you have a combustible mix of powerful steed and nervous passengers. What to do?

![033.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/033.jpg>)

**Skip the backstory**

Halfway through your tale of how Caddy created this monster to steal marketshare from the German performance saloons, you’ll notice that everyone’s eyes have glazed over. That this four-door is quicker than Mercedes’ SLS AMG supercar is not an interesting fact to anyone but you.

**Don’t share the vehicle’s top speed**

When asked why anyone would want to go 200 mph, “Why wouldn’t you?!” is not a well-received response.

**Resist the urge to mat the throttle**

Yes, you love the sensation of being pinned against a Recaro seat, jumping to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. However, no one else will enjoy it; the glorious, throaty exhaust will be drowned out by panicked shrieking. Avoid.

**Do not demonstrate the innumerable safety systems**

Pop on the lane assist and release the wheel to show how the car won’t careen off the road at speed. Then get ready to hear that *2001: Space Odyssey* gave your passengers nightmares, and how computers are not infallible, and how you should put your damn hands back.

![029.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/029.jpg>)

![034.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/034.jpg>)

![037.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/037.jpg>)

![038.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/038.jpg>)

![039.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/039.jpg>)

![049.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/049.jpg>)

**Be receptive to crash avoidance guidance**

This comes in the form of very vocal humans, who will gladly let you know when to ease off the throttle, how early to brake, and that curvy, country two-lane roads were not intended to test the car’s cornering thresholds.

**Be prepared for the standout features to be trivial**

The 110V power outlet, copious trunk space, multiple USB ports, the heated steering wheel—these all get heaps of praise. The buttery smooth 8-speed auto trans, Brembo brake and carbon fiber splitter and spoiler won’t draw any commendations.

**Activate in-car 4G Wi-Fi**

No one will grouse about you cracking triple digits if they’re binge-watching Netflix or shoe shopping. Keep the killjoys occupied.

![031.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/031.jpg>)

**Understand everyone assumes louder equates to faster**

As you cycle the driving modes—tour, sport and track—the fun police will perk up after the exhaust amplifies. Even though your speed remains constant, you’ll be inexplicably asked to slow down.

**Cheer for the impressive rev matching only in your head**

If you’re letting out a little yelp of glee every time you hit the magnesium paddle shifters to get that seamless downshift, you will be shushed.

**When you get a free pass to floor it, take it**

Such as when everyone wants to go to the antique store that closes in 30 minutes and you’re ten minutes away. Or if there’s a unanimous agreement that the car in front is “dumb” and must be overtaken.

![036.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/036.jpg>)

**Go fetch breakfast on Friday. Alone.**

Put it in track mode, kill the stereo and let those horses gallop. When that ear-splitting, white-knuckle rush hits, you will be the happiest. So what if nobody speaks to you Thursday night, and holds out on leftovers the next morning? Totally worth it.

## Author
A former entertainment columnist for the *New York Daily News*, Sean has contributed to a host of publications including *Conde Nast Traveler*, *Gawker Media*, *Sports Illustrated*, *Entertainment Weekly*, *Fast Company*, *New York Magazine* and more.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/AngryInParadise>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/AngryInParadise>)