2000 Cadillac DeVille: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Cadillac's largest car is redesigned for 2000, with new styling and a host of high-tech features, including infrared night vision. DeVille's wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than before but its body is 2 inches shorter and 2 inches narrower. Base, DHS (DeVille High Luxury Sedan), and DTS (DeVille Touring Sedan) models are offered.

Front-wheel drive, 4-speed automatic transmission, and Cadillac's Northstar V8 return. The DTS has 300 horsepower, the others 275. Traction control and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Standard on DTS and optional elsewhere is Cadillac's StabiliTrak antiskid system, designed to selectively apply the front brakes and vary steering effort to fight skids in turns. DTS also gets Cadillac's Continuously Variable Road Sensing Suspension. All DeVilles have front side airbags with a head/chest bag for the driver; rear side torso airbags are optional. Cadillac says the new light-emitting diode (LED) taillamps illuminate faster than incandescent bulbs.

DeVille's Night Vision is an industry first. Optional on DHS and DTS, it uses infrared technology to detect heat-generating objects beyond headlight range and projects a black-and-white image onto the windshield just above hood level.

Base and DHS have a front bench seat with column shift, the DTS buckets and console shift. The base model has digital instrumentation. DHS and DTS have analog gauges, plus standard leather upholstery and lumbar-massaging front seats. Cadillac's continuously adjusting air-cell front seat cushions are a DHS/DTS option. DHS also gets a power rear-seat lumbar, power rear-window sunshade, and manual rear side widow shades. New on all models are steering-wheel audio and climate controls and separate rear-seat temperature adjustment. GM's OnStar assistance system is standard, and a satellite navigation system with touch-screen display is a new DHS/DTS option. The new Ultrasonic parking assist option gives audio and visual warnings of obstacles when backing up.

COMPETITION

This diverse segment offers the widest price range. It covers everything from the $33,000 Saab 9-5 to the $128,000 Mercedes-Benz SL500. Obviously our Best Buys are somewhere in between. We think that the Acura RL is a steal at $42,000 fully equipped. Though it is a front-drive V6 in a field of V8 rear-drive models, it has a great ride, plenty of power, and is quite luxurious. In the same vein, the more-expensive Lexus LS 400 continues to impress, excelling in every way except for handling.

If you are looking for something a bit more sporting we recommend the BMW 5-Series, Jaguar S-Type, or Lexus GS 300/400. If your taste ranges more toward the luxury end, then take a look at the new Cadillac DeVille or Mercedes-Benz CLK.