Acceleration

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
7	7	7.3

Both V8s furnish punchy takeoffs--about 7.0 sec 0-60 mph in our tests--and fine merging and passing power. Most premium cars have automatic transmissions with more than four speeds. Testers divided on behavior of DTS's 4-speed: Some cite quick response, others slow downshifts.

Fuel Economy

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
5	5	3.9

Test Luxury model averaged 23.7 mpg in mostly highway driving, 18.7 with more city work. Test Performance averaged 14.4 in mostly city driving. Cadillac recommends premium-grade fuel for all DTSs.

Ride Quality

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
8	7	8.4

Base suspension comfortably smothers most bumps, but allows some float, wander over large moguls. Firmer Performance setup checks body motions with little comfort penalty, despite 18-inch wheels and lower-profile tires.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
5	6	6.8

No-surprises competent, but compromised by size and heft. In Luxury models, even moderately fast turns induce much body lean, noseplow. Performance version feels more stable, confident. Large turning circle. All DTSs reassure with available antiskid system and brakes that deliver short, no-drama stops.

Quietness

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
7	7	8.5

Modest wind noise at any speed, but coarse-surface tire thrum a bit high by premium-class standards. Engine growls pleasantly while accelerating, especially with Performance model, but is subdued otherwise.

Controls

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
7	7	7.4

Clear analog gauges. Mostly handy minor controls, but some switch icons not obvious, others too small, hard to read in daylight. Refreshingly, climate controls are independent of optional navigation system, which absorbs but doesn't complicate audio functions. Test cars disappointed with minor squeaks, rattles. Plethora of padded cabin surfaces impresses; overall quality of interior materials bests Lincoln, but trails most import rivals.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
9	9	8.9

Among roomiest, most comfortable big sedans, though available bench seat may squeeze a middle rider. Bucket seats all-day comfortable. Ample seat/steering wheel adjustments cater to most any driver. Some testers laud Luxury II's massage feature, others find it annoying; activation switch hard to reach in any case. Driver visibility a bit restricted to right rear, directly aft.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
9	9	8

Good overall room on supportive seat, though tow space tight. Sufficient width for a middle adult, though center backrest section very hard. Easy entry/exit.

Cargo Room

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
6	6	5.2

Trunk swallows four golf bags and more through large, bumper-level opening. Center pass-through opening too small to be of real use. Interior storage space limited.

Value within Class

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
8	7	5.7

In this price range, Cadillac leaves any sporting pretensions to its rear- and all-wheel-drive STS models. The front-drive DTS aims for the traditional American-luxury-car buyer, and scores. It's powerful, roomy, and refined, and matches most rivals for standard safety features. Starting in the low-to-mid $40,000s, the base and Luxury I versions are particularly strong Recommended values.

Total Score

Luxury II w/nav. sys.	Performance	Class Average
71	70	70.1

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		61
Average Score		70
High Score		87