McLaughlin Motors

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Driving Impressions

Smooth and powerful the Cadillac DTS glides over miles and miles of open road in supreme comfort. Maybe that's expected, but the DTS also handles surprisingly well for such a big car, making it a satisfying drive when it's time to turn the steering wheel.

The DTS has a worthy powertrain in the form of its smooth-running Northstar V8 and robust Hydra-Matic four-speed transmission. Under full throttle, both versions of the 4.6-liter engine emit a mellow bellow that says V8 but not in a flashy way. The throttle is responsive, improved by electronic throttle control, yet it delivers a smooth, measured rise of power rather than a soul-stirring burst.

Two states of tune are available, Luxury and Performance, though we don't see dramatic differences between them. The 275-hp base/Luxury edition boasts 295 pound-feet of torque, while the 292-hp Performance-tuned mill offers 288 pound-feet of torque. So the Performance-tuned engine gives up some torque for increased horsepower and the Luxury engine actually supplies better off-the-line acceleration. Likewise, the Performance chassis comes with bigger wheels and tires and Magnetic Ride Control, a continuously variable real-time damping system, but spring and stabilizer rates are identical to those on the base/Luxury. In short, the Luxury and Performance versions are both good. Performance is slightly sportier.

All DTS models come with StabiliTrak electronic stability control, which limits understeer and oversteer by automatic and selective application of individual wheel brakes. All come with Magnasteer, a magnetic variable assist rack and pinion steering gear that reduces noise and column shake.

These features along with its rigid chassis give the DTS able handling and a smooth ride. The variable-rate steering helps the big car turn into the corners with little understeer, and carving a line through the apex is accomplished with little body roll. The steering feels a little light while cruising down a straight road, but it stiffens up nicely when feedback is needed during a turn. A bit of chassis hop over freeway expansion joints is virtually unavoidable, but the Magnetic Ride Control does a good job of muting the effect. Otherwise, at speed on smooth pavement, only a bit of wind noise around the A-pillar and occasional tire thunk suggests the car is covering a lot of ground quickly.

Frigid days and scorchers are handled well by the DTS. We like the Adaptive Remote Start, a factory-installed convenience for cold, wintry mornings, when the ability to get the engine and interior defrosted and heated (including the front seats) before starting out is appreciated. Residents of Phoenix and other boiling points will find the system useful to crank up the A/C before climbing in on those 115-degree afternoons. Owners in the frigid north will also appreciate the heated windshield wiper fluid: Throw that ice scraper away.

Another new feature is radar-based adaptive cruise control. This system automatically slows the car down when catching up to a slower moving car in your lane, then speeds up again when the offending vehicle moves over or speeds up.

The high-intensity discharge (HID) projector-beam headlamps are augmented by IntelliBeam, which automatically switches from high to low beam and back again depending on oncoming traffic. In the past, it hasn't always been easy for Cadillac drivers to discern when the high beams are on, so this is a welcome features. Good nighttime vision is as vital to safety as are good brakes.

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