2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Platinum Road Test

At first we thought GM's President Mark Reuss and his minions had lost their minds. Like, big-time crazy. Like, book these bozos rooms at the funny farm 'cause they've lost it, man.

Now, after spending two weeks driving this 2013 Cadillac XTS AWD Platinum, we know it's true. Reuss and company are nuts. But in a good way.

Last year Cadillac retired the DTS and the STS, two large sedans popular with people who are, well...retired. Average age of DTS owners was 73, while the STS got the younger crowd at 68.

Those two large sedans are being replaced by one. This one, the 2013 Cadillac XTS.

And for months Reuss has been out on the interview circuit saying the XTS will battle the 2013 Audi A6, the 2013 BMW 5 Series and the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Huh? Battle the 5 Series? Take on the E-Class? Sounds like crazy talk. The XTS shares its front-wheel-drive platform and its drivetrain with the 2013 Buick LaCrosse, for heaven's sake. How can it possibly measure up to those now-iconic German sport sedans?

Well, the crazy part is that it does. Reuss and his gang of merry misfits have actually pulled off this miracle and the XTS, while not perfect, is ready to redefine the large Cadillac sedan.