Cadillac DTS
Either gaudy, or gorgeous |
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By Richard J. Newman
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Nits: Wind noise on the highway is more pronounced than it should be.
G forces: The DTS offers a firm, sporty ride that is also pillow-smooth. The base engine is a 275-horsepower V-8, which is potent though not explosive. An optional 292-horsepower V-8 adds a measure of pep and is also tuned to produce a throaty rumble that will give muscle-car hounds a shiver of excitement.
Gizmology: The dash is clean and thoughtful, with a digital radio system that keeps lots of functions well organized and reasonably intuitive. There's very smooth spring-loaded action on the recessing ashtray—admittedly a tiny detail but one that shows attention to the finer things.
Kidmarks: The rear seat is lavish and large, with its own climate control and all the other doodads that help with kids: A center armrest with cupholders and storage, overhead lights for reading or game-playing at night, and sizable storage pockets.
Hot or not: Hot, for those who love flair.
Pain at the pump: Considerable. Mileage ratings range from 17 mpg/city to 25 mpg/highway. I averaged less than 14 mpg in combined driving. Ranks 155 out of 477 on U.S. News's muscle-per-gallon index.
Crash course: Nine stars out of 10 on the government's frontal crash test, eight out of 10 on the side-impact test, four out of five rollover rating.
Standard safety equipment: Side-torso air bags, side-curtain air bags, antilock brakes, traction control.
Price points: Base prices range from $41,990 to $50,490. Price as tested: $53,430. (All prices include delivery.)
More info: www.cadillac.com
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Model year tested: 2006
There is no mistaking the DTS for a Mercedes E Class or a BMW 5 series. It is definitely not a Lexus. It's more of a thumb on the nose aimed at all those refined luxury sedans that strive to be oh-so-svelte and classy. And it elicits strong opinions. A sampling from my circle of friends: "Pimpmobile." "Sopranos' living room." "Awesome!" That's good news for Cadillac, which has hammered out an edgy, audacious image in recent years, since polarizing designs are usually successful. And there are still a lot of well-heeled car buyers who relish unapologetically American boldmobiles.
The DTS replaces Cadillac's geriatric DeVille, and it's a welcome invigoration. The styling, for starters, announces that something new has arrived. The interior is a handsome blend of leather and wood, with soft surfaces all around that encourage you to sink into the seats and enjoy the ride. And the ride is enjoyable. The DTS doesn't offer the performance of some of the most robust sports sedans, like the BMW 3 or 5 series, since it's a front-wheel-drive vehicle. But handling is grippy for a big car, the steering, thankfully, is tuned fairly tightly (unlike the boaty Cadillacs of yore), and the standard 275-horsepower V-8 gets the job done. The DTS is also a dream cruise on the highway, courtesy of some sophisticated steering and suspension technology. Cadillac aficionados accustomed to cush won't be disappointed.
You'll feel pampered in this car, too. The seats are baby-boomer spacious yet still feel sporty. There are separate climate-control settings for the driver, passenger, and back-seat occupants, so there should be no arguing over the right temperature. General Motors' remote-start feature—which lets you start the car from your front porch and has become one of my favorite high-frill options—is standard. And GM has mastered a nice set of electronics, also standard on every DTS, that leave the power windows operable for a few minutes after you turn off the ignition, for example, and let you configure the interior lighting and other features to your liking. You won't necessarily outclass the Europhiles in the DTS, but you may steal the show anyway.
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