2004–2007 Cadillac CTS-V

Now this is our kind of Cadillac: It’s got a supercharged 640-hp 6.2-liter V-8, big Brembo brakes, an eight-speed automatic, and rear-wheel drive. The steering is accurate yet hefty, while the ride is surprisingly civilized thanks to a magnetorheological suspension. This is a supersedan in every sense.

If you’re a patriotic person who craves phenomenal straight-line acceleration but also demands taut, European-style handling manners, the CTS-V delivers. And in daily life, this Cadillac works remarkably well as a refined sedan.

The CT5 Blackwing is a rare machine, capable of rolling unnoticed through a parking lot like just another pleasant, but unremarkable four-door. Get on it though, and it’s a stadium rock show, a supercharged scream over big V8 bass. It’s no lumbering musclecar, it hones in on an apex with the precision of a diving falcon, and returns to a straightaway with nary a wiggle.

The CTS-V coupe is one of the most entertaining high-performance luxury cars on the market, offering a proper six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, and 550-plus hp for a competitive price. It delivers thrilling, controllable muscle car performance with a fantastic gearbox and comfortable interior, making it fun both on the track and in daily driving.

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing impresses with its powerful supercharged V8 and excellent six-speed manual transmission, setting a new sedan lap record at Willow Springs, narrowly beating the BMW M5 CS.