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2008 Cadillac STS-V Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, EditorBengt Halvorson

To prepare this comprehensive review on the 2008 Cadillac STS-V, the experts at TheCarConnection.com have found the most insightful and useful information from a variety of review sources. TheCarConnection.com’s editors have also driven the STS-V and bring their impressions to this review as well.

Likes:

  • Awesome, world-class performance
  • Responsive automatic transmission
  • Some of the best, most advanced technology features

Dislikes:

  • Unappealing instrument panel design
  • Interior materials don’t feel as upscale as they should
  • Lacks back-seat space

Buying Tips:


The upcoming 2009 Cadillac CTS-V has already been revealed: a significant upgrade to 550 horsepower and more improvements throughout. We're quite certain the STS-V will see the same, so you may want to hold on to your money until then.

The 2008 Cadillac STS-V is the limited-edition, high-performance variant of the mid-size STS sport sedan. Although it keeps the same basic layout and appearance of the STS, it has more aggressive exterior styling, interior upgrades, and a host of additional performance equipment to match the special hand-built supercharged 4.4-liter V-8 underhood.

For 2008, the entire STS family, including the STS-V, gets a new nose and wider grille, along with some interior enhancements.

The engine makes 469 horsepower, and can get the 2008 Cadillac STS-V to 60 mph in less than five seconds, delivering power to the rear wheels through an excellent six-speed automatic with tap-shift controls.

The 2008 Cadillac STS-V has a firm ride, but it almost miraculously soaks up the bumps while staying tight in the most abrupt maneuvers and keeping the tires firmly planted. In addition, the STS-V gets stiffer springs and larger anti-roll bars than the standard STS, plus powerful Brembo brakes, and the steering ratio is quicker.

Seating in the 2008 Cadillac STS-V rivals that offered by the German competition. The front seats are amply proportioned and very supportive, with plenty of space; the backseat is barely roomy enough for average adults. The instrument panel feels rather dull and plasticky compared to its German rivals--and the design hasn't been updated to the extent of the new CTS (and CTS-V)--but the rest of the interior, such as upholstery, is impressive in quality.

In addition to some of the best performance equipment available, the 2008 Cadillac STS-V comes with an extensive list of the latest high-tech features--with many of those optional on the regular STS models standard on the STS-V. They include a head-up display, along with new Intellibeam headlamps, which sense approaching headlights and dim themselves accordingly. Other technological upgrades standard on the STS-V include heated rear seats and steering wheel, a lane-departure warning system, Adaptive Remote Start, and a blind-spot warning system.

The 2008 Cadillac STS-V is in the middle of the pack in safety, based on crash-test results. Four-star results were given from the federal government in all but side protection for rear-seat passengers (five stars), and the STS earned "good" results in frontal-offset protection, "acceptable" results in side impact, and "poor" in rear impact insurance industry (IIHS) tests. Standard safety equipment on the STS-V includes front side airbags, head-protecting side-curtain bags, and a performance-calibrated electronic stability control system.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Cadillac STS-V, also consider:

Reason Why:

The 2008 Cadillac STS-V competes solidly against the BMW M5 and the Mercedes E63 AMG, but both of those vehicles have what matters more to many buyers: a faster acceleration time. Both the M5 and AMG sedans have more of a reputation than the STS-V, and their interiors feel more opulent and exclusive. Yet another rival is the Jaguar S-Type R, which yields a respectable 400 horsepower from its supercharged V-8 and acceleration numbers that are almost as small, but at a price that's about $15,000 less. On the downside, the S-Type is a dated design that's soon to be replaced for 2009 by the fresh new XF.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Cadillac STS-V is a formidable rival to BMW's M5 and the Mercedes E63 AMG--at a lower price.

To prepare this comprehensive review on the 2008 Cadillac STS-V, the experts at TheCarConnection.com have found the most insightful and useful information from a variety of review sources. TheCarConnection.com’s editors have also driven the STS-V and bring their impressions to this review as well. Likes:Awesome, world-class performanceResponsive automatic transmissionSome of the best, most advanced technology featuresDislikes:Unappealing instrument panel designInterior materials don’t feel as upscale as they shouldLacks back-seat spaceBuying Tips: The upcoming 2009 Cadillac CTS-V has already been revealed: a significant upgrade to 550 horsepower and more improvements throughout. We're quite certain the STS-V will see the same, so you may want to hold on to your money until then. The 2008 Cadillac STS-V is the limited-edition, high-performance variant of the mid-size STS sport sedan. Although it keeps the same basic layout and appearance of the STS, it has more aggressive exterior styling, interior upgrades, and a host of additional performance equipment to match the special hand-built supercharged 4.4-liter V-8 underhood. For 2008, the entire STS family, including the STS-V, gets a new nose and wider grille, along with some interior enhancements. The engine makes 469 horsepower, and can get the 2008 Cadillac STS-V to 60 mph in less than five seconds, delivering power to the rear wheels through an excellent six-speed automatic with tap-shift controls. The 2008 Cadillac STS-V has a firm ride, but it almost miraculously soaks up the bumps while staying tight in the most abrupt maneuvers and keeping the tires firmly planted. In addition, the STS-V gets stiffer springs and larger anti-roll bars than the standard STS, plus powerful Brembo brakes, and the steering ratio is quicker. Seating in the 2008 Cadillac STS-V rivals that offered by the German competition. The front seats are amply proportioned and very supportive, with plenty of space; the backseat is barely roomy enough for average adults. The instrument panel feels rather dull and plasticky compared to its German rivals--and the design hasn't been updated to the extent of the new CTS (and CTS-V)--but the rest of the interior, such as upholstery, is impressive in quality. In addition to some of the best performance equipment available, the 2008 Cadillac STS-V comes with an extensive list of the latest high-tech features--with many of those optional on the regular STS models standard on the STS-V. They include a head-up display, along with new Intellibeam headlamps, which sense approaching headlights and dim themselves accordingly. Other technological upgrades standard on the STS-V include heated rear seats and steering wheel, a lane-departure warning system, Adaptive Remote Start, and a blind-spot warning system. The 2008 Cadillac STS-V is in the middle of the pack in safety, based on crash-test results. Four-star results were given from the federal government in all but side protection for rear-seat passengers (five stars), and the STS earned "good" results in frontal-offset protection, "acceptable" results in side impact, and "poor" in rear impact insurance industry (IIHS) tests. Standard safety equipment on the STS-V includes front side airbags, head-protecting side-curtain bags, and a performance-calibrated electronic stability control system. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Cadillac STS-V, also consider:BMW M5Mercedes-Benz E63 AMGJaguar S-Type RReason Why:The 2008 Cadillac STS-V competes solidly against the BMW M5 and the Mercedes E63 AMG, but both of those vehicles have what matters more to many buyers: a faster acceleration time. Both the M5 and AMG sedans have more of a reputation than the STS-V, and their interiors feel more opulent and exclusive. Yet another rival is the Jaguar S-Type R, which yields a respectable 400 horsepower from its supercharged V-8 and acceleration numbers that are almost as small, but at a price that's about $15,000 less. On the downside, the S-Type is a dated design that's soon to be replaced for 2009 by the fresh new XF. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Cadillac STS-V is a formidable rival to BMW's M5 and the Mercedes E63 AMG--at a lower price. To prepare this comprehensive review on the 2008 Cadillac STS-V, the experts at TheCarConnection.com have found the most insightful and useful information from a variety of review sources. TheCarConnection.com’s editors have also driven the STS-V and bring their impressions to this review as ...

Other Choices:

The 2008 Cadillac STS-V competes solidly against the BMW M5 and the Mercedes E63 AMG, but both of those vehicles have what matters more to many buyers: a faster acceleration time. Both the M5 and AMG sedans have more of a reputation than the STS-V, and their interiors feel more opulent and exclusive. Yet another rival is the Jaguar S-Type R, which yields a respectable 400 horsepower from its supercharged V-8 and acceleration numbers that are almost as small, but at a price that's about $15,000 less. On the downside, the S-Type is a dated design that's soon to be replaced for 2009 by the fresh new XF.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Cadillac STS-V

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Cadillac STS-V

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Cadillac STS-V near you

See the Cadillac STS-V in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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