A Guide to 2008 Cars

This is your guide to the best cars of 2008, including the Cadillac CTS, Lexus RX 350, Saturn Sky, and Toyota Tundra.
Written by Christelle Agustin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Updated on Mar 23, 2023
The
Cadillac CTS
tops the list as the best car of 2008, while the
Mercedes-Benz
S-Class is the best luxury car and the
Toyota Sienna
is the best family car of 2008. 
To prepare for a new decade, car manufacturers were upping their game with innovative new technologies for faster and better cars. While the cars have aged, their performance has remained first-rate. And one way to experience them without shelling out too much is by
buying used
.
From opulent high-ticket vehicles to long-lasting daily drivers, read on to learn about the best 2008 cars. We've compiled everything you need to know in a handy guide.
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The best cars of 2008

Whether you’re in the market for a luxury sedan, sports car, family vehicle, or work truck, these seven vehicles are the automotive heroes of 2008. 

The best car of 2008: Cadillac CTS

KBB fair market range: $5,402 to $6,461
Powertrain: 3.6-liter V6 engine with six-speed shiftable automatic transmission
What makes it special: 
GM’s luxury sedan got a makeover from the previous year and sports vertical headlights and taillights, a duo-toned grille, and stylish fender flares. The entry-level 258-horsepower V6 engine delivers a strong performance by handling quick turns and gear shifts with grace
And the elegant redesign doesn’t stop outside—the interior is covered in wood accents, alloy trim, and LED lights that make you feel ready for take-off!

The best luxury car of 2008: Mercedes-Benz S-Class

KBB fair market range: $6,588 to $12,383
Powertrain: 5.5-liter V8 engine with seven-speed shiftable automatic
What makes it special:
Pumping out 382 horsepower from its V8 engine, the RWD S-Class can go from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. And with Mercedes’ Touch Shift manual-shift feature, you can switch gears with a press of a button behind the steering wheel. 
This stylish sedan is decked out in
leather upholstery
, walnut trims, heated front seats, and an astounding 14-speaker surround sound system that will have everyone noticing you. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class certainly dominates the luxury cars class of 2008.

The best SUV of 2008: Mazda CX-9

KBB fair market range: $6,465 to $7,370
Powertrain: 3.5-liter V6 with six-speed shiftable automatic
What makes it special: 
The CX-9 looks small from the outside, but there’s no mistaking its power once you hear its sports car-like engine. Zooming on the freeway is a breeze with 270 lb-ft of torque, ultra-responsive steering, and four-wheel independent suspension that makes rough roads no problem. With foldable third-row seats, this roomy SUV is sure to be a hit with family and friends, too. 

The best luxury SUV of 2008: Lexus RX 350

KBB fair market range: $4,658 to $10,925
Powertrain: 3.5-liter V6 engine with five-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special:
This crossover SUV is as luxurious to look at as it is to drive. Its 3.5L, 270-horsepower V6 engine allows the RX to reach 60 mph in only seven seconds. Despite its power, the RX 350 provides a silky smooth driving experience
Inside, you’ll find a five-seater fitted with leather and wood trim on the steering wheel, console, and doors. Passengers can truly feel like royalty thanks to the 40/20/40 split of the second-row seats, an optional Mark Levinson sound system (perfect for your driving soundtracks!), and a voice-activated navigation system with a rearview camera. 

The best family car of 2008: Toyota Sienna

KBB fair market range: $2,585 to $8,728
Powertrain: 3.5-liter V6 engine with five-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special: 
For a family who loves road-tripping and long drives, the Toyota Sienna is the holy grail of family cars. This spacious seven-seater (or eight-seater on the CE and LE trims) might as well be a mobile home, with two captain’s chairs in the second row, a third row of seats, and 149 cubic feet of cargo space—there’s room for everyone and everything. 
To keep the kids entertained, the minivan packs a six-speaker stereo system, front and rear air conditioning, and an optional DVD entertainment system. Best of all you’ll be safe with the Sienna as it scored a perfect five stars for side-impact crash prevention.

The best sports car of 2008: Saturn Sky

KBB fair market range: $7,167 to $8,241
Powertrain: 2.4-liter inline-4 engine with five-speed manual transmission
What makes it special: 
The silhouette of this compact roadster from Saturn is classic from the top (or lack thereof) down. Equipped with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine boasting 173 horsepower, and a manual gearbox, the Sky is a pleasant companion on the road. 
If speed is your game, the Red Line version delivers a whopping 260 horsepower with a better handle on winding roads. Get around in style with the tried-and-tested allure of the Saturn Sky. 

The best truck of 2008: Toyota Tundra

KBB fair market range: $7,859 to $11,453
Powertrain: 5.7-liter V-8 engine with six-speed automatic transmission
What makes it special: 
The hefty Tundra is a 5,700-pound mammoth that has a towing capacity of more than 10,000 pounds—almost twice its weight! It’s no wonder it requires 26.4 gallons of gasoline to power it. Yet for something so rugged, the Tundra provides a comfortable ride with responsive steering and acceleration so smooth you hardly notice it! From the shorter Regular Cab style to the larger Crew Cab, there’s a Tundra bound to fit you. 

What cars came out in 2008? 

It was an interesting year for cars, and new introductions to the market included everything from BMW’s
X6
crossover to the Ferrari California and subcompact
Kia Soul
. Here’s a breakdown of the vehicles that made their debut in 2008.
Model
Vehicle type
Engine
Fair market range
Notes
BMW X6
Crossover SUV
3.0- to 4.4-L straight-6 or V8 twin-turbo
$6,331 to $9,238
First coupe SUV
Chevrolet Traverse
Crossover SUV
3.6-L V6
$2,101 to $7,355
Inspired by the 2005 Chevrolet’s Sequel’s design
Dodge Journey
Midsize crossover SUV
2.4-L inline-four or 3.5-L V6
$3,415 to $5,251
Known as Dodge JC in Japan
Fiat Qubo
Leisure activity vehicle
1.3- to 1.4-L inline-four
$1,592 to $4,184
The third generation of Fiat Fiorino
Ferrari California
Sports car
4.3-L F136 or V8
$53,809 to $72,627
First Ferrari hard top convertible with a folding metal roof
Honda Clarity
Midsize fuel cell-powered sedan
Fuel cell-powered 100kW
N/A
Production ended in August 2021
Kia Soul
Subcompact crossover SUV
1.6- to 2.0 L inline-four
$2,247 to $7,561
Made *Time*’s ‘Most Exciting Cars of 2010’ list
Volkswagen Golf Mk6
Small family car
1.2- or 2.5-L inline-four
$2,063 to $7,073
Awarded ‘World Car of the Year’ in 2009
Volkswagen CC
Midsize sedan or wagon
1.4- to 2.0 L inline-four
$1,039 to $5,344
Succeeded by the Volkswagen Arteon
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