2008 XLR Model Strengths: Corvette-like performance in a Cadillac package; convenient retractable hard top; magnetic ride control.

2008 XLR Model Changes: Cadillac introduced the XLR in 2004, and has changed little moving into 2008. The color choices have been reworked, and a heated steering wheel is now standard on both the XLR and XLR-V models. The Passion Red Limited Edition has been discontinued for 2008.

2008 XLR Model Value: The 2008 Cadillac XLR features a standard retractable hard top, which most of its competitors don't. The Cadillac is more elegantly simple than many of its peers, as well, with no complex driving electronics and no performance adjustments to be made. It instead offers a broad torque curve and plenty of dramatic styling.

2008 XLR Model Overview: The 2008 XLR and XLR-V remain Cadillac's high-end performance cars. Introduced in 2005 and using the Corvette as a point of inspiration, the XLR offers style and performance with generous amounts of leather and wood trim. It also has a softer suspension setup than many two-seaters with more than 300 horsepower, which makes it much easier to live with day in and out than many of its rivals.The XLR is equipped with a 320-horsepower 4.8L V8 and a six-speed automatic transmission. It features four-wheel traction control and GM's magnetic ride control, a system that, through magnetic-reactive fluid, allows the suspension firmness to be adjusted multiple times a second.The standard features list is extensive, as one might expect from the Cadillac nameplate. The XLR rides on 18-inch polished aluminum wheels and has LED taillights and steering-reactive HID headlights. The interior is furnished with eight-way power leather heated and cooled front seats. A tire pressure monitor, keyless access, and dual-zone climate control are also standard. As well, a heads-up display that indicates speed, gear position, audio player information, and fuel level on the inside of the windshield is standard. The XLR also includes such helpful electronic aides as ultrasonic rear parking assist and adaptive cruise control.A Platinum Edition is available on the XLR, and it includes a unique liquid amethyst paint, chrome grille, leather interior trim, and an Ultra Suede headliner. The XLR-V is the ultra-high performance variant of the XLR. The engine becomes a 4.4L V8 with an Eaton-Roots supercharger that makes 443 horsepower, and it teams up with a six-speed automatic transmission with driver shift control. The magnetic ride control settings are firmer and the suspension gets tweaked with larger stabilizer bars and stiffer bushings for more precise handling. The XLR-V also adopts larger brakes, and bigger wheels and tires. The result is race car performance with Cadillac comfort. A navigation system is standard.

2008 Escalade Model Strengths: Power and acceleration; controlled ride; interior space (ESV); safety; style statement.

2008 Escalade Model Changes: For 2008, Cadillac's flagship Escalade luxury SUV is now available as a 2WD on the ESV. In addition, the V8 Ultra Luxury Collection Package, which includes an audio system with navigation, a rearview camera system, Intellibeam headlamps, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, 22-inch chromed aluminum wheels, and a sunroof is available on the Escalade, ESV, and EXT. New exterior colors for 2008 include Stealth Gray and Infrared Tintcoat for the Escalade and ESV and Sonoma Red for the EXT.

2008 Escalade Model Value: The 2008 Cadillac Escalade stands out from its competitors with its powerful, 403-horsepower engine, plush interior appointments and entertainment options, and an interior design that is possibly the most opulent of any American-produced vehicle. The EXT also offers more luxury and comfort features, and makes more of a style statement, than nearly any other pickup truck available.

2008 Escalade Model Overview: The 403-horsepower, 6.2L aluminum V8 exclusively powers the Escalade. The new engine incorporates variable valve timing to allow both low-rev torque and high-rev passing power, and it's hooked up to a new six-speed automatic transmission with a wide ratio to balance performance and fuel efficiency.A strong boxed frame is shared with GM's other full-size SUVs and brings increased strength and stiffness, for a more controlled ride and improved handling.The Escalade gets extra stopping power as well, with larger, stronger disc brakes on all four wheels and improved Bosch anti-lock braking. The anti-lock brakes now function together with the rollover mitigation technology, included with the standard StabiliTrak stability control. The system applies the brakes to help avoid situations that may lead to a vehicle rollover.Other safety features include side curtain air bags for all three rows of outboard seating, along with a new 360-degree front seatbelt pretensioner system.The Escalade has an aerodynamic appearance, with its windshield more sloped than the previous generation's and a low 0.36 coefficient of drag. Overall, the look is more integrated, too, with wrap-around fascias, styled mirrors, and integral running boards.The well-appointed cabin includes a power folding second-row seat along with plush leather upholstery and other premium materials inside, while the instrument panel has eye-catching white LED backlighting with blue inlays and white indicator needles. The interior comes in two colors, Ebony and Cashmere.Big, shiny wheels have become part of the Escalade's look, and stylish 22-inch wheels are available on the Escalade and ESV as a factory option for the first time.Audiophiles will be interested in the Bose 5.1 Digital Surround Sound system that's available, and all audio systems on the Escalade play DVD, CD, and MP3 formats, along with XM satellite radio. An eight-inch in-dash touch-screen navigation system is available, as is a DVD player with eight-inch flip-down screen. Even if you don't opt for the navigation system, the standard Generation 7 OnStar system now has Turn-by-Turn navigation through the vehicle's sound system.The Escalade ESV is nearly identical in features and equipment to the standard Escalade, but it adds 21 inches of additional length, for improved rear seating space and cargo capacity. The Escalade EXT closely resembles the other Escalade models from the front, and includes many of the same features, but it follows a so-called Sport Utility Truck (SUT) body style. Part SUV, part pickup, it has a midgate panel that allows one to easily convert the EXT from a five-passenger SUV with a small cargo bed to a two-passenger SUV with a larger bed. With the midgate, the bed can either be five or eight feet long. The EXT comes with a lockable tonneau cover to secure items in the cargo bed.Significant standard luxury equipment on the Escalade and ESV models include tri-zone climate control, rear parking assist, remote vehicle start, and a power-assisted rear liftgate.

2008 CTS Model Strengths: Performance and handling; new styling; handcrafted interior; fuel efficiency (direct-injection).

2008 CTS Model Model Changes: The Cadillac CTS sport sedan gets a complete redesign inside and out for 2008, with a more powerful direct-injection V6 engine available, six-speed manual and automatic transmissions across the line, and a new dual-depth front passenger air bag.

2008 CTS Model Model Value: Cadillac's CTS stands out from the sport-sedan competition for 2008 on the basis of its very attractive handcrafted interior and its available high-tech features, which include adaptive headlamps and advanced audio and navigation options. With the direct-injection engine, it's also one of the most efficient-yet-quick vehicles in its class.

2008 CTS Model Model Overview: The 2008 Cadillac CTS is now offered with either a 258-horsepower, 3.6L V6 with variable valve timing, or a new direct-injection 3.6L making 304 horsepower. Besides producing more power, the engine also has improved fuel economy and lowered emissions. Both can be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with driver shift control, and a performance-oriented all-wheel drive system is available (though mated only with the automatic).The new CTS borrows some appearance elements and mechanical components from the former high-performance V-Series variant, with a new strut tower brace for improved handling, larger brakes than previously used, and retuned steering. Three different suspension tuning levels are available ranging from comfortable to high-performance: FE1, FE2, and FE3. The standard wheels are 17-inch alloys, but larger 18-inch wheels are available, finished either with a multi-coat or high-polish look.The CTS does come very well equipped, but the interior appointments and available high-tech options are what really distinguish the model from its competitors. The center console was designed in consultation with entertainment industry experts and has an interface for iPods and music players, including a USB port. There's also an available 40-gigabyte hard-drive music system that allows recording of live radio and ripping of CDs. The sound system itself has 300 watts, ten speakers, and Bose Centerpoint technology. Also on the options list is a 3D-imaging navigation system with eight-inch screen, an adaptive forward lighting system that adjusts the beam direction of the xenon lamps to improve night visibility, and a heated windshield and washer system, along with heated and ventilated front seats.The new interior incorporates handcrafted trim on the instrument panel and doors, and hand-cut, sewn, and wrapped materials used throughout. Recessed LED interior lighting also helps to improve the interior ambiance, and a distinctive Ultra-View sunroof that provides a sky view for both front and rear occupants is available. The seats themselves have been redesigned to maximize space for back-seat passengers.A full range of air bags are standard on the CTS, including a new dual-depth front passenger air bag, plus front pelvic/thorax bags, along with roof-rail side-curtain bags covering front and rear rows. The StabiliTrak system and four-channel anti-lock brakes are also standard.

2008 DTS Model Strengths: Fresh Cadillac styling; enough room inside to stretch out; comfortable ride.

2008 DTS Model Changes: For the 2008 Cadillac DTS, GM offers optional Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Zone Alert systems. Also available is a Platinum Edition that includes unique 18-inch chrome wheels, a chrome grille, and a unique small chrome insert on the door handle lift bar. New exterior colors for the 2008 DTS include Crystal Red Tintcoat, Black Cherry, Double Espresso, Blue Diamond Tricoat, and Carbon Flash Metallic.

2008 DTS Model Value: For traditional luxury large car buyers, the 2008 Cadillac DTS remains one of only a handful of choices. The DTS compares favorably against its rivals, with more power than the Lincoln Town Car and a larger, more impressive interior than the Chrysler 300. It also offers plenty of luxury features and comfort for its price.

2008 DTS Model Overview: The base trim is equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats, OnStar, bi-xenon headlamps, a power front seat, remote vehicle start, and a CD/MP3 audio system with satellite radio.Upper DTS trims add heat to the front and rear seats, the steering wheel, the windshield washer, and the exterior mirrors. Also, on the upper trims the front seats are cooled and the driver's seat features memory settings. Front and rear parking assist, StabiliTrak, and brake assist are also part of the upper trim equipment groups.The DTS's interior is voluminous, with seating for five or six, depending on whether a front bench or bucket seats are specified. In either configuration, passengers are ensconced in plush leather. You'll find generous legroom in any seating position, as well as a commodious 18.8 cubic foot trunk.The suspension is clearly tuned for smooth freeway cruising, but the DTS keeps its composure when the road turns twisty in a way your father's DeVille never could. Cadillac's Northstar 4.6L V8 delivers 275 smooth horsepower to the DTS's front wheels.With excellent crash test ratings, respectable 15 city/23 highway mileage estimates, a long list of features, a strong powertrain, and room for the whole family, the DTS remains a solid choice for the luxury car buyer set.