2002 Cadillac DeVille Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

A new navigation system that plays DVD movies is the marquee addition to Cadillac's largest car for 2002. Base and DHS DeVilles have a bench front seat, the sportier DTS model has buckets. The V8 makes 300 hp in the DTS, 275 in the others. All have a 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front head-and-torso side airbags, load-leveling suspension, and General Motors' OnStar assistance system. Rear side airbags and a rear-obstacle-warning system are optional. An antiskid system is standard on DTS, optional elsewhere. Infrared Night Vision is optional on DHS and DTS. The optional navigation system now incorporates voice recognition and DVD mapping; it can play entertainment DVDs over the 6.5-inch dashboard screen with the transmission in Park. Also for '02: Leather upholstery is standard instead of optional on the base model, and a tire-pressure monitor is standard on DHS and DTS. Added during the model year was an optional satellite radio that plays commercial-free programs for a $9.98 monthly fee.

Competition

This diverse segment offers the widest price range and obviously our Best Buys are somewhere in between. We think that the Acura RL is a steal at $44,000 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. The refined Lexus LS 430 can't be beat for comfort and features at just under $55,000. Mercedes-Benz E-Class, though a bit long in the tooth, also continues to impress with its impeccable road manners and luxurious comfort.

If you are looking for something a bit more sporting, we Recommend the BMW 5-Series. If your taste ranges more toward the luxury end, then take a look at the roomy Cadillac DeVille or Lexus GS 300.

News

The redesigned 2000 DeVilles did good business in their first season, calendar-year sales rising 16 percent from '99 to nearly 106,000. But the bloom faded in 2001, as orders for the first nine months dropped 16.2 percent from the year-earlier period.

DeVille's next redesign comes with model-year 2005. Still to be determined is whether it will stay front-wheel drive or move to the rear-drive Sigma platform that supports Cadillac's new entry-level CTS sedan and is also destined for the next-generation 2004 Seville. Some observers insist DeVille will retain front drive for reasons of better interior space efficiency and more secure winter-weather handling, factors seemed important to the model's more elderly buyer group. But no one knows for sure, as this is one of several General Motors programs still in flux.

2002 Cadillac DeVille Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy

Ride	Rear visibility

Build quality

Entry/exit

Interior materials

Quietness

Passenger and cargo room

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
7	7	7	6.5

Strong in all models: about 7 sec 0-60 mph. Transmission is smooth and responsive.

Fuel Economy

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
3	3	3	4.2

Test models averaged 14.6-16.7 mpg. Cadillac recommends 87-octane fuel in all models.

Ride Quality

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
9	9	8	8

Comfortable and absorbent, though sharp bumps sometimes pound through. Overall, just shy of top luxury imports.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
6	6	7	6.6

DTS's handling holds its own against imported luxury sedans. Base, DHS are competent, but with smaller tires, not so athletic. Good stopping power, but some testers think brake-pedal feel is mushy.

Quietness

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
8	8	8	7.5

Wind and road noise hushed. Powertrain is smooth and refined.

Controls

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
6	6	6	5.3

DHS/DTS analog gauges better than base model's digital; both legible. Most controls large, clearly labeled. Night Vision projects onto windshield a small, fuzzy black-and-white image of heat-generating objects down the road; doesn't interfere with normal vision and can be dimmed or switched off. Haven't yet tested DVD navigation system, but the optional satellite radio delivers crisp, high-quality audio provided you have unobstructed access to the sky. Radio display also lists song title and artist. Cabin materials, workmanship tops among domestic brands, though the best imports are better overall.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
8	9	9	7.8

Few sedans are more spacious or comfortable, but a middle rider can still feel squeezed. DHS/DTS standard "massaging" seats and optional air-bladder adaptive seats don't enhance comfort much.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
9	9	9	7

Plenty of leg and head room. Firm, generous cushion. Wide enough for three adults. Doors open wide for easy exit.

Cargo Room

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
6	6	6	4.9

Four-golf-bag trunk opens at bumper level. Good interior storage space.

Value within Class

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
7	8	8	4.6

Spacious and powerful, DeVille brims with space-age gizmos, and is priced below most V8 luxury rivals. Affluent younger buyers still favor imports, but this Cadillac's virtues make it worth considering.

Total Score

Base	DHS	DTS	Class Average
69	71	71	62.4

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		51
Average Score		62
High Score		78

2002 Cadillac DeVille Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/15/2002

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door sedan	$42,950	$39,299	$770

DHS 4-door sedan	$47,880	$43,810	$770

DTS 4-door sedan	$47,880	$43,810	$770

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

4.6-liter dohc V8 275-horsepower engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, wiper-activated headlights, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

OnStar System w/one year service (roadside assistance, emergency services; other services available), air conditioning w/tri-zone automatic climate control, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, split front bench seat, 8-way power front seats, front storage armrest, cupholders, rear-seat trunk pass-through, heated power mirrors w/driver-side automatic day/night, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, digital clock, steering-wheel radio and climate controls, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, illuminated front visor mirrors, variable-intermittent wipers, power decklid release and power pull-down, remote fuel-door release, rear defogger, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, map lights, automatic headlights, automatic parking-brake release, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, cornering lights, load-leveling suspension, 225/60SR16 tires, alloy wheels.

DHS adds to Base:

Safety

Tire-pressure monitor.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Heated front and rear seats, front and rear power lumbar adjustment, front-seat lumbar massage, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), power tilt/telescoping wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood shift knob, Bose sound system, analog instruments, tachometer, wood interior trim, rear illuminated visor mirrors, rain-sensing automatic wipers, power rear-window sunshade, manual rear side sunshades.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Chrome alloy wheels.

DTS adds to DHS:

Powertrain

4.6-liter dohc V8 300-horsepower engine.

Safety

StabiliTrak antiskid system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Front bucket seats, center console, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Deletes: memory system, power tilt/telescoping wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood shift knob, rear-seat lumbar adjustment, rear illuminated visor mirrors, power rear-window sunshade, manual rear side sunshades, chrome alloy wheels.

Fog lights, Continuously Variable Road Sensing Suspension, 235/55HR17 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Comfort and Convenience Pkg.
Base	$1,095	$931
Heated front and rear seats, front-seat lumbar adjustment, memory system (driver seat, mirrors), trunk mat.

Premium Luxury Pkg.
DTS	$1,985	$1,687
Rear side airbags, power tilt/telescoping wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, memory system (seats, steering wheel, mirrors), rear-obstacle-detection system, universal garage-door opener, trunk mat.

Safety and Security Pkg.
Base	$1,045	$888
DHS	$895	$761
StabiliTrak antiskid system, rear-obstacle-detection system, tire-pressure monitor (Base), universal garage-door opener. Base requires Comfort and Convenience Pkg.

Safety
Rear side airbags
Base, DHS, DTS	$295	$251


Night Vision
DHS, DTS	$2,250	$1,913
DHS requires Safety and Security Pkg. DTS requires Premium Luxury Pkg.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation system
DHS, DTS	$1,995	$1,696
Navigation system, DVD player, LCD screen, voice recognition, requires 6-disc CD changer. NA w/satellite radio

Power sunroof
Base, DHS, DTS	$1,550	$1,318
DHS deletes rear illuminated visor mirrors.

Adaptive front seats
DHS, DTS	$995	$846
DTS requires Premium Luxury Pkg.

6-disc CD changer
Base, DHS, DTS	$595	$506


Satellite radio
DHS, DTS	$295	$276
Requires monthly fee. DHS requires Safety and Security Pkg. DTS requires Premium Luxury Pkg. NA w/navigation system, 6-disc CD changer.

Hands-free cellular telephone
Base, DHS, DTS	$325	$276


Wood Trim Pkg.
DTS	$595	$506
Wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood shift knob.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
Base, DHS, DTS	$650	$553


Full-size spare tire
Base	$125	$106


Chrome alloy wheels
Base, DTS	$795	$509

2002 Cadillac DeVille Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Cadillac DeVille 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	115.3

Overall Length, in.	207.0

Overall Width, in.	74.4

Overall Height, in.	56.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	3984

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	19.1

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	18.5

Seating Capacity	6

Front Head Room, in.	39.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.4

Rear Head Room, in.	38.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	43.2

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

Engines

	dohc V8	dohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.6 /279	4.6 /279

Horsepower @ rpm.	275 @ 5600	300 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	300 @ 4000	295 @ 4400

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	18/27	18/27

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Cadillac DeVille 4-door sedan

Rollover Resistance	5

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear 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%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2002 Cadillac DeVille Photos

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