1994-1999 Cadillac DeVille/Concours Full Review

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Cadillac DTS. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Cadillac DTS.

1994-1999 Cadillac DeVille/Concours Review

Cadillac's best-seller was redesigned for 1994. The base model was called Sedan DeVille, while the top-of-the-line version earned a DeVille Concours designation. Both were 4-door sedans built on a 113.8-inch wheelbase. Overall length grew by 3.4 inches compared to '93 sedans. No more Coupe DeVilles, Touring Sedans, or Sixty Specials made the lineup. Base DeVilles used an overhead-valve, 4.9-liter V8 engine. The Concours came with Cadillac's potent 270-horsepower, 4.6-liter Northstar V8 and Road Sensing Suspension. That RSS setup adjusts firmness in milliseconds, based on vehicle speed and road conditions. Regular DeVilles had a Speed Sensitive Suspension, which adjusts firmness to one of three levels, based on car speed. Antilock all-disc brakes were standard. Outboard front seatbelts got a height-adjustment feature.

Year to Year Changes

1995 Cadillac DTS: Traction control was made standard across the board. The system also could now be switched off, if desired. New transmission fluid did not require changing for 100,000 miles.

1996 Cadillac DTS: All front-drive Cadillacs now carried one version or another of the 4.6-liter Northstar V8. Base DeVilles gained a 275-horsepower Northstar, while the Concours V8 rose to 300 horsepower. Daytime running lights were installed this year. Concours sedans added Rainsense to automatically turn on wipers when rain began, and magnetically operated variable-assist power steering. DeVilles gained a stainless-steel exhaust system and Road Sensing Suspension. New stereo systems included redundant controls on the steering wheel. New coolant was designed to last five years or 100,000 miles.

1997 Cadillac DTS: A new DeVille model, standard side airbags, and a mild facelift headline the list of changes for 1997. Joining the base DeVille and plusher Concours is a new mid trim level model, called the De Ville d'Elegance. It comes with more standard equipment than the base DeVille, chrome wheels and gold ornamentation. Plus, dual door-mounted airbags join the two dash-mounted airbags, antilock brakes, and traction control on the list of standard safety features. Styling alterations include a new grille, rounder rear-wheel openings to accommodate the car's wider rear track, and a deeper rear fascia.

1998 Cadillac DTS: Changes were minimal for 1998, however, with the demise of the Fleetwood, the DeVille lineup became Cadillac's largest cars.

1999 Cadillac DTS: Cadillac's largest car saw a host of changes for '99 including available massaging front seats on d'Elegance and Concours models. Other improvements include an electronic suspension with StabiliTrak. This system is designed to aid control in fast turns by selectively applying the front brakes. It was standard on the Concours and optional on others. In midyear, a Golden Anniversary option was added that included special white paint, wood interior trim, and 2-tone leather upholstery. The DeVille line was all-new for the 2000 model year.

1994-1999 Cadillac DeVille/Concours Road Test

Pros	Cons

Antilock brakes	Fuel economy

Acceleration	Climate control (base and d'Elegance)

Passenger and cargo room	Rear visibility

Interior noise levels

Traction control

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Concours is the performance prince, but even a base DeVille boasts impressive acceleration, with brisk passing response. Power is plentiful with the 4.9-liter base engine--and even better with the later Northstar. With any of the Northstar V8s under the hood, you can expect surprisingly sizzling action, which belies the car's heft. A Concours, with the most potent V8 ready and waiting, actually rivals some sports sedans when pushing the pedal to the floor. Even better, Cadillac's 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission shifts with buttery smoothness. Fuel economy is poor. Only on the highway did we average better than 20 mpg. Overall, a Concours averaged just 15.8 mpg in a long-term trial. Worse yet, all engines demand premium gasoline. Because of a stiffer structure and better engine mounts, these two ride much more quietly than in previous years, with less noise and vibration. Both suspensions do a good job of isolating the cabin and keeping bouncing to a minimum. The Road Sensing Suspension does a commendable job of maintaining a stable, comfortable ride and minimizing body lean in turns. Agile may not be an appropriate word to describe either DeVille, but these sizable sedans handle reasonably well for cars in their category. Later models with StabiliTrak feel much more agile in hard driving, with no penalty in ride quality. Road and wind noise are minimal, though not necessarily nonexistent. Brakes are strong and fade-free. Steering is firm and responsive, but lacks true road feel and precision. Inside, you get ample six-passenger seating in a spacious cabin, plus dual airbags. Basic dashboard design is borrowed from the Seville, so climate controls are just to the right of the steering wheel, where they're hard to see and reach. The trunk opens at bumper level and has a wide, flat floor that can hold loads of luggage.

Value for the Money
Don't judge the latest DeVille and Concours just by their conservative styling, which continues to appeal mainly to older drivers. Both Cadillacs offer tempting performance and roomy accommodations, and represent good value for the money.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Cadillac Concours	Rating

Performance	8

Fuel Economy	2

Ride Quality	7

Steering/Handling/Braking	5

Quietness	7

Controls/Materials	7

Interior Room	8

Room/Comfort (rear)	8

Cargo Capacity	6

Value within Class	8

Total:	66

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1994-1999 Cadillac DeVille/Concours Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Blower motor: The blower motor fails if the spark plug wires are routed too close to the blower-motor housing. (1994-97)

Engine noise: A rattling noise from the engine at startup is often caused by automatic-transmission pump starvation or cavitation, or a sticking pressure-regulator valve. (1994-95)

Fuel odors: Leaks in the vapor recovery system, due to excessively short hoses coming loose, causes fuel odors inside the car. (1997)

Oil leak: Beware rear main seal leaks on Northstar engine. (1996-99)

Oil pump: Low oil pressure may result from debris caught in Northstar engine oil pump pressure relief valve. (1993-94)

Steering noise: The upper bearing mount in the steering column can get loose and cause a snapping or clicking, requiring a new bearing spring and turn-signal cancel cam. (1994-96)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$475

Alternator	$350

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,160

Brakes	$210

Constant Velocity Joints	$700

Exhaust System	$1,000

Radiator	$490

Timing Chain or Belt	$720

NHTSA Recall History

1995: Inadvertent airbag deployment could occur, due to water intrusion.

1995-97: The fuel line tubing on certain vehicles may crack causing fuel leakage. Dealers will inspect and replace affected parts.

1996: Secondary hood latch may be improperly adjusted; if primary latch also is not engaged, hood could open unexpectedly.

1997: Brake/traction-control module can cause antilock brake system to cycle in non ABS braking; could increase stopping distance.

1998: Hood-hinge pivot bolts can break; could cause either the corner of the hood near the windshield to rise, or one side of hood to be unstable when opened.

1998: Misrouted canister-purge evaporative-emissions harness could interfere with cruise control and throttle linkage, preventing return to close throttle position.

1999: Some side-impact airbag-sensor modules have quality problems and may deploy inadvertently.

1994-1999 Cadillac DeVille/Concours Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1994
Concours	$3,000-3,600	$2,300-2,800	$700-800
DeVille	$2,800-3,400	$2,100-2,600	$600-700

1995
Concours	$3,500-4,000	$2,800-3,200	$900-1,100
DeVille	$3,200-3,800	$2,500-3,000	$800-1,000

1996
Concours	$3,900-4,500	$3,200-3,700	$1,200-1,400
DeVille	$3,600-4,300	$2,900-3,400	$1,000-1,200

1997
Concours	$4,400-5,000	$3,700-4,200	$1,500-1,800
DeVille	$4,100-4,800	$3,400-3,900	$1,400-1,600

1998
Concours	$5,000-5,600	$4,300-4,800	$2,000-2,200
DeVille	$4,600-5,400	$3,900-4,500	$1,700-2,000

1999
Concours	$5,700-6,400	$4,900-5,500	$2,300-2,600
DeVille	$5,300-6,200	$4,600-5,300	$2,200-2,500

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1994-1999 Cadillac DeVille/Concours Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	113.8

Overall Length, in.	209.7

Overall Width, in.	76.6

Overall Height, in.	56.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	3959

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	20.0

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	20.0

Seating Capacity	6

Front Head Room, in.	38.5

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.6

Rear Head Room, in.	38.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	43.3

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Until 1996, the Sedan de Ville held a 200-horsepower, overhead-valve 4.9-liter V8. Then, a 275-horsepower dual-overhead cam Northstar V8 of 4.6-liter displacement became standard. The Concours got a 300-horsepower version that year, versus a 270- or 275-horsepower 4.6-liter Northstar powertrain in 1994-95 models. All DeVilles used a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc V8	4.6 / 279	270-275	300	4-speed automatic: 17/26	4-speed automatic: 15.8

dohc V8	4.6 / 279	300	295	4-speed automatic: 17/26	4-speed automatic: 17.2

ohv V8	4.9 / 300	200	275	4-speed automatic: 16/26	4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1999 DeVille

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: USA

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1994-1999 Cadillac DeVille/Concours Review:

Cadillac DeVille/Concours

Cadillac DeVille/Concours Road Test

Cadillac DeVille/Concours Reliability

Cadillac DeVille/Concours Prices

Cadillac DeVille/Concours Specs & Safety

Cadillac DeVille/Concours Photos

Cadillac DeVille/Concours Full Review