This XLR is one more attempt to take on the mega-luxury brands coming out of Europe and Japan. The XLR is a flashy car, what Cadillac wants to build up. Though it shares the same platform as the current Corvette, the XLR variant is not a simple case of corporate badge engineering. This caddy is more of a country cruising machine than a sports hot rod. This Caddy is a bit of a candy-ass with a softer and more comfortable ride. The XLR places a mellower 4/6-liter, 320-horsepower V8 engine rather than the Vette’s edgier 6/2-liter, 436-hp V8 power plant.
The XLR makes good use of lightweight parts, such as aluminum suspension pieces, that keeps the XLR’s weight pretty reasonable. Also, the standard Magnetic Ride Control adaptive suspension system thinks for you, adjusting ride smoothness automatically. This ensures generally smooth and responsive maneuvers. The combination of bold, angular styling outside and distinctive eucalyptus-wood cockpit accents gives the XLR a sophisticated presence. The retractable hard top is a great piece of engineering, a great switch between hard top and the soft top. Whenever you pull back the hard top, then you should have a Cadillac XLR windscreen / windblocker / wind deflector.
The Cadillac XLR is a good-to-great car, but it’s not the “standard of the world” as GM likes to proclaim it as. Though its styling and Cadillac badge will appeal to those looking to roll up to the valet in something different from the status quo, the XLR comes up short in terms of maximum performance. The interior is especially disappointing when compared to its similarly priced rivals from Germany and Great Britain. Furthermore, the XLR doesn’t really offer that much more than a fully loaded Corvette, which is about $20,000 cheaper and 116-hp more powerful.
The XLR is certainly a fast car, but, well, it’s just not sports car fast. Acceleration, though certainly quick, is not as forceful as its corporate cousin. The XLR isn’t notable on the chassis, which rolls to heavily into curves and pitches to far down when breaking fast. Even though this car is fitted with adaptive suspension with split-second control, the XLR is still not up to the handling performance of its European and Japanese rivals. On the open highway, the roadster hits its stride, delivering an undisturbed ride with effortless tracking. If going with the top down, then your wife will thank you for getting a Cadillac XLR windscreen / windblocker / wind deflector.
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