2008 Cadillac XLR Review

Called out for an encore from 2007, the 2008 Cadillac XLR is a luxury sports coupe with a retractable hard top which offers 320hp V8 power in a 2-passenger automobile. Its 4.6L engine is moderated by a standard 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. While it still displays the sharp-edged design that garnered it so much attention last year, the XLR still looks fresh and exciting.

Outfitted in rare woods and fine alloys, the cockpit of the XLR is a masterpiece of ergonomic support and functionality. The seats are comfortable and supportive while the steering wheel and instruments are easy to use and read. The design imperative that Cadillac currently follows is based on stealth fighter angular surfaces, large chrome grilles, and vertical stacking of headlights. The XLR is the masterpiece which resulted from combining these data streams.

Consistent with the effort Cadillac has made to engineer a coupe that compares well with other up-market manufacturers, the weight distribution in the XLR is benefited by positioning the transmission over the rear wheels. As such, the coupe has optimized its center of gravity between the front and rear wheels, enhancing its handling and control. Equipped with safety features in stride with its performance, the 2008 XLR not only protects with front and side airbags, but also notifies emergency crews in the event of a collision via GPS.

As stylish as the exterior, the cockpit offers the driver equally engaging technology with which to interact. Not only are several groups of controls arranged on the steering wheel, such as audio, Bluetooth, and cruise control, but readouts from critical instrumentation are displayed on the windshield for easy viewing. Every feature that can assist the driver and passenger in attaining maximum comfort and safety has been engineered into the 2008 Cadillac XLR. European manufacturers will once again look to the US for inspiration in the luxury sports coupe segment.

2008 Cadillac STS Review

A full-size luxury sedan, the 2008 Cadillac STS has a legacy that extends back to its flagship ancestor, the Cadillac Seville. While the STS is offered in three trim levels, the Performance, Luxury, and Platinum editions, most owners choose the rear-wheel-drive 3.6 L V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. An AWD 4.6Liter 320hp Northstar V8 is available for more performance-oriented owners.

With all of its great standard features, the 2008 Cadillac STS competes well with its European and Japanese stablemates. A 300 Watt Bose audio unit with MP3 adaptor, rich natural trim, alloy finish edging on the center instrument array attest to the effort that Cadillac has put into crafting a fine luxury automobile. The STS lacks little in the eyes of its owners, but if the inclination arises, you could opt for a heads-up driver information display, or a navigation system.

Technology is a key feature for Cadillac, and the STS employs it in safety features such as a lane drift alert system, a blind spot compensation system, and a more comprehensive skid control system. With the new Cadillac STS Platinum Series, more attention than ever is paid to craftsmanship and quality materials used in the interior. However you drive the STS, its ride, acceleration, and stability are hard to beat. Enjoy all that the road has to offer without appreciable sway, road noise, or difficulty in handling.

2008 Cadillac STS has new exterior features that emulate the Escalade in its large size chrome grille and vertical headlights. You can opt for 18-inch wheels or stick with the 17s. Overall, the STS is a well- engineered automobile that has evolved into a technologically sophisticated, sensible luxury sedan.

2008 Cadillac SRX Review

The 2008 Cadillac SRX is a wagon-inspired, 4-door luxury sport-utility that is produced in two flavors, the V6 and the V8. The 3.6L V6 model provides 255HP, delivers 16/23 mpg, and offers suitable get up and go for most family-oriented activities. A 4.6L V8 320HP model which rates at 15/21 mpg puts a lot more energy behind the gas pedal. Both models come standard with a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.

Cadillac accomplishes a noteworthy task by combining the sporty CTS platform with a practical crossover SUV body. Included standard are the SRX's 8-speaker Bose audio system with CD, truly luxurious interior accents, comfortable seating, and driver-oriented controls. Driving the SRX is surprisingly responsive with power steering that attunes itself automatically to the speed of the vehicle, and assisted stopping power that distributes force to the wheels that need it most. A modern option that helps keep your coffee in its cup rounding curves is the Magnetic Ride Control which senses the need for additional horizontal stability.

Assuring the safety of your family is the mission of the Cadillac SRX, and its compliment of front side airbags, curtain airbags, crumple zones, and 4-wheel ABS give cause for a sigh of relief. While the SRX is generously equipped right off the showroom floor, there are numerous options that can put the SRX into an entirely new stratum of luxury and convenience. The SRX offers an optional sunroof that has no equal in the automotive industry. Why deny it, the feel of 100% cowhide upholstery is simply decadent.

Sporting the angled surfaces of our favorite stealth fighters, the SRX exterior styling is eye-catching and dynamic. Maneuverability is just as sharp in the 4-wheel independent suspension, and swerve control employed by the SRX. The 2008 Cadillac SRX shakes off the stigma of the dowdy station wagon and replaces it with the enigma of a born-to-fly performance SUV.

2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT Review

An odd duck on first appearance, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT with its SUV size, 4 doors, Midgate, and pickup bed, turns out to be a practical luxury vehicle for a select group of owners. Put a 403-horsepower engine 6.2-liter V-8 engine in any vehicle and people will naturally be attracted. In the EXT, a standard 6-speed automatic transmission tames the beast. All-wheel drive is de rigueur in this class of vehicle.

Standard instrumentation on the EXT includes a digital clock, tachometer, trip odometer, and tire pressure monitor. The interior is refined and luxurious, with leather seats, wood accents, and chrome highlights. Visibility in the cabin is hampered to the rear by the unusual "C" post configuration. 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT allows the rear window and seats to fold down, providing even more cargo space.

Although the size of the EXT would suggest that it handles like a barge, the opposite is true. Steering is precise but light to the touch, and acceleration is brisk. Suspension damping smoothes out uneven terrain while the 18inch wheels make highway travel an enjoyable experience. Enjoying the benefits of a luxury SUV and the practicality of a crew-cab pickup truck, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT may be the perfect answer for a select group who enjoy wearing two collars, white and blue.

Attesting to its size and safety features, the EXT was favored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a five star rating for frontal, side, and rear collisions. Of concern to few is the fact that gas consumption in the 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT is gluttonous.

2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV Review

Comparable to the Suburban in size and a big fan with sports luminaries, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV dresses up the 4-door SUV to the nines. Holding a full squad of players, the ESV is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that thunders with 403 horsepower. A 6-speed automatic transmission handles the fury of the beast.

With no limit to what you can add to the ESV, the standard features it comes with are a healthy start. The tire pressure monitor, as innocuous as it sounds, can be a life saver. Making it to the airport on time will be a cinch with the accuracy of a digital clock and the traffic-monitoring ability of an AM/FM radio. The team will want its fight song playing at all times thanks to a powerful 10-speaker Bose sound system with CD changer.

Arrive at the tailgate party in one piece thanks to the safety features that come standard on the 2008 Cadillac ESV. Keeping its shiny side up and dirty side down is no problem with the ESV's 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, airbags for driver and passengers, and LATCH system for the mascots. Steel-reinforced beams in all four doors and ample crumple zone protection come in handy when competing for that last compact car parking space.

From the outside, the 2008 Cadillac ESV is the definition of imposing, with a tall, wide, and long footprint, you will not often be challenged in a game of freeway tag. At the club, the 2008 Escalade ESV flip-up liftgate window is the best way to exit the last row. With all the spotlights and flash bulbs lighting up the ESV, your posse will appreciate the matching color front and rear bumpers and step up bumper. Until Bentley rolls with its own SUV, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade ESV more than fills the bill as a fo'shizzle pleasure palace.

2008 Cadillac Escalade Review

Try to circle the block once without spying a Cadillac Escalade. The 2008 Cadillac Escalade will be there to represent the neighborhood in full regalia. Expect a hybrid to bulge onto the scene in late 2007, sporting new two-mode hybrid technology. For now, the 2008 Cadillac Escalade makes the grade with a 6.2-liter V-8 which bulldozes with 403 hp, and rides with a six-speed automatic. Look for Escalade to phase into production Escalades with the ability to reduce the number of firing cylinders to reduce gas consumption.

Escalade optional features translate into an assisted hatchgate and retractable Nerf Bars, 52.8cm rims, satellite nav, and a rear-facing spy-cam. The only place with more bling would be the command deck of the Enterprise. The interior of the Escalade is spacious, luxurious, and high-tech, with AM/FM stereo, DVD screens in the front headrests, and dual-zone climate control.

The effort by GM to maximize 2008 Escalade safety is commendable with its implementation of skid correction technology, front passenger and driver airbags, and side curtain air bags. Escalade also has ample space afforded to crumple zones in the event that it collides with something its own size.

When the 2008 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid finally arrives, it promises to claim a 25 percent increase in fuel economy. It will accomplish this with the implementation of GM's two-mode hybrid technology, which will use two electric motors contained in the transmission for assisting in slow, city traffic, and for the highway. Even though hybrid technology was originally engineered for compact cars, its use at the other extreme of the spectrum makes sense as well.

2008 Cadillac DTS Review

Cadillac continues to reign supreme as the premium automobile manufacturer in the US with the 2008 DTS introducing the new limited edition, hand-crafted Platinum Edition to its stable of thoroughbreds. The other 5 trim levels, Base, Luxury I through III, and Performance rounding out the line, Cadillac has a distinctive array of luxury 4-door sedans. All models except the Performance and Platinum Edition are powered by a 4.6L V8 engine that generates 275hp @ 4400rpm and 295 ft-lb of torque. The Performance and Platinum series are powered by the 292hp V8 which churns out 288 ft-lb of torque @ 4500rpm. All are mediated with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The 2008 Cadillac DTS Platinum Edition is distinctive in that its interior is hand-crafted of premium materials using techniques perfected by master craftsmen. Using rich burled walnut and rare wood trim from a forest west of the Ubangi River, craftsmen inlay trim throughout the cabin, including the steering wheel and indicator array. Standard on the DTS are leather upholstery, an analog clock, AM/FM receiver, Bose audio matrix with an octet of speakers. Along with a 6-Disc CD deck and MP3 juke box, the DTS offers its OnStar service. As if that were not enough, Cadillac also inserts a pair of DVD screens into the front seat headrests.

Along with its hand-crafted accents, the Cadillac DTS series tops the list of luxury sedans with life-saving safety features including front row side impact airbags, side head curtain airbags, 4-wheel anti-Lock power disc brakes, front and rear crumple zones, plus reinforced side door beams. NHTSA crash tests for the DTS scores 4 and 5 stars for frontal, side and rear collisions. Cadillac DTS also rated a rollover resistance rating of 4/5.

The ride and creature comforts in the 2008 Cadillac DTS are exemplary, with its 4-wheel independent suspension and programmed hydraulic load-leveling making the road a mirror finish no matter what the load. Although Cadillac does not have models that compete with top of the line Mercedes or BMW, its DTS series put luxury and quality engineering on the road for a moderate price.

2008 Cadillac CTS Review

Cadillac has dialed in a winner with its 2008 CTS, a mid-size luxury sedan with a standard 3.6L 258hp V6 or optional 304hp engine linked to either a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission. Five option packages ranging from the Premium Luxury Ensemble to the Luxury Level One tier leave no need unfulfilled. The CTS has the right stuff to qualify as the best American road car this year.

Stepping up to the challenge of matching or surpassing the quality in European luxury sedans, the CTS boasts a new handcrafted interior, 10-speaker Bose surround sound audio system, and large sunroof. Finishing a long list of features on the CTS are a remote start option, and iPod capability. You get a premium quality leather interior, finished in rare woods and lustrous alloys.

The road is where the 2008 Cadillac CTS shines, with wider and longer platform than last year, there leaves little to be desired to conquer the American road in comfort and safety. With its rear or all wheel drive, the mid-size Cadillac CTS is never caught off guard in cornering or hilly terrain. On such roads, where around each curve lurks potential danger, the Adaptive Forward Lighting available on the CTS penetrates around corners to give you almost an almost clairvoyant vision of the road ahead.

As is the case with any great car, the nimble road manners displayed by the 2008 Cadillac CTS were attained through hours spent testing and refining on European test tracks. The final package of fine workmanship, luxurious comfort, and superior performance is crowned by the fact that this is an American car. The 2008 Cadillac CTS, although Detroit born, is a European seasoned, world-class luxury sedan.

2008 Cadillac XLR-V Review

The main difference between the 2008 Cadillac XLR-V and its XLR stablemates is its engine. The XLR-V is a 2-door luxury sports coupe with a collapsible hard top. Powered by a 4.4L supercharged 443hp Northstar V8 engine, the performance specs on this supercar defy description. If you have a spare $100,000 to drop on this beauty, add it to your collection, hooked up with a six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control.

The interior of the XLR-V epitomizes Cadillac craftsmanship with sumptuous leather touches, faux-suede upholstery, and exotic ebony-colored wood with distinctive grain patterns. Aluminum is used to accent the instrumentation and controls throughout the cabin. The cooled or heated bucket seats provide fully automatic adjustment of height, leg room, and upper and lower lumbar support. Cow hide on the steering wheel provides a comfortable grip while fingertip controls for audio and cruise control are perfectly positioned.

Safety is of paramount importance in such a powerful vehicle and it is no more true than in the 2008 Cadillac XLR-V. Look for head and thorax protection for the driver and passenger, as well as side impact airbags. Reassuring also are the activation of OnStar coverage for 1 full year, and the presence of three-point seat belts for both driver and passenger. Be ever vigilant of every driving dynamic with the built-in tire pressure monitor and Bulgari-designed instrumentation.

The exterior lines of the 2008 Cadillac XLR-V emulate the sharp edged design of stealth fighters, exuding an aura of understated fury. Look for XLR-V models in black, platinum, red, and blue. With its stacked headlight array and large, distinctive emblem, the leading edge of the XLR-V is a portrait of strength and character. The 2008 Cadillac XLR-V is the ultimate statement of American performance and engineering excellence.