Acceleration

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
7	7	7.3

Both V8s furnish punchy takeoffs--about 7.0 sec 0-60 mph in Consumer Guide tests. Merging and passing power is more than adequate. Most premium cars have automatic transmissions with more than four speeds, and our testers are divided on its behavior in the DTS. Some cite quick response, others slow downshifts.

Fuel Economy

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
5	4	3.3

In our tests, a Luxury model averaged 23.7 mpg in mostly highway driving and 18.7 with more city work. A Performance version averaged just 14.4 mpg in mostly city driving. Cadillac recommends premium-grade gas for all DTSs.

Ride Quality

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
8	7	8.2

DTS's base suspension comfortably smothers most bumps but allows some float and wander over large pavement humps. The Performance's firmer suspension setup checks body motions with very little comfort penalty despite its 18-inch wheels and lower-profile tires.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
5	6	6.9

DTS handles competently but is compromised by its size and heft. In Luxury models, even moderately fast turns induce much body lean and noseplow. Performance versions feel more stable and confident. DTS's size makes for a large turning circle, which hurts maneuverability. All have brakes that deliver short, no-drama stops.

Quietness

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
7	7	8.4

Wind noise is modest at any speed, but coarse-surface tire thrum is a bit high by premium-class standards. The engine growls pleasantly while accelerating, especially in the Performance model, but is subdued otherwise.

Controls

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
7	8	5.8

Clear analog gauges are easy to read. Minor controls are mostly handy, but some switch icons are not obvious and others are too small and hard to read in daylight. Refreshingly, the climate controls are independent of the optional navigation system, which absorbs but doesn't complicate audio functions.

Details

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
6	6	8.4

Test cars disappointed with minor squeaks and rattles, betraying the premium image Cadillac hopes to portray. A plethora of padded cabin surfaces impresses. The overall quality of interior materials bests Lincoln but trails most import rivals.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
9	9	8.8

DTS is among the roomiest, most comfortable big sedans, though its available bench seat may squeeze a middle rider. Standard bucket seats are all-day comfortable. Ample seat and steering wheel adjustments cater to most any driver. Some testers laud the front seat's massage feature, others find it annoying and its activation switch hard to reach in any case. Driver visibility is a bit restricted to right rear and directly aft.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
9	9	7.9

There's good overall room on supportive seats, but foot space is tight. The rear seat has sufficient width for a middle adult, though the center backrest section very hard. Entry and exit is easy.

Cargo Room

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
4	4	4.1

The trunk swallows four golf bags and more through a large, bumper-level opening. The center pass-through opening is too small to be of real use. Folding rear seatbacks would be more useful. Interior storage space is limited.

Value within Class

Luxury II w/navigation	Performance	Class Average
8	7	5.5

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/navigation	Performance	Class Average
75	74	74.6

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		67
Average Score		74
High Score		87