Cadillac has done away with the underpowered 2.8-liter V-6 and added a direct injection 3.6-liter V-6 to the line up. We think it’s not a bad trade. Other new features for 2008 include an interior and exterior redesign and an all-wheel drive option. The finely appointed cabin features one of the best available navigation systems in the class and technology throughout the car tops its German rivals.

Planting our right foot in the floorboard results in chirp of pain from the super-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires out back before they bite hard, launching the CTS-V to 60 mph in just about 3.9 seconds. The sensation is unreal.

This is a Cadillac through and through. The interior is as attractive and inviting as the exterior is handsome. Smart-looking gauges display a wealth of information without being cluttered, and the hybrid drivetrain is beyond smooth. Above all else, this SUV is equipped with powerful brakes that bring the 5,700-lb truck to a stop with ease. Maneuverability is also surprisingly good thanks to a tight turning radius – just 39 feet for a truck that boasts a wheelbase almost 10 feet long.