The Cadillac DTS is a full-size luxury car with
full-size American power and a warm, spacious interior. The DTS is
front-wheel drive. The DTS offers impeccable road manners, with
crisp handling and good grip that inspires composure and driving
enjoyment on winding roads. It handles surprisingly well given its
size. It takes turns with poise and dignity, making it an enjoyable
steed when the road goes curvy. The DTS is front-wheel drive. The current DTS was launched as a 2006 model,
sporting fresh body lines, a redesigned interior, upgraded running
gear, and suspension refinements.
2009 Trims and Styling
The Cadillac DTS is available with
six-passenger or five-passenger seating. The DTS comes standard with
leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way
power front bucket seats with four-way adjustable power lumbar
support, eight-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with RDS and integrated
antenna, XM Satellite Radio with three-month trial, Magnasteer power
steering, cruise control, power windows, power programmable door
locks with Pass-Key III Plus security, illuminated visor mirrors,
remote starter, driver information center, auto-dimming rearview
mirror with compass, rear seat pass-through, OnStar with one-year
Directions & Connections service, automatic headlamps with wiper
activation, fog lights, solar-control glass, self-leveling
suspension, and P235/55R17 all-season tires on machined aluminum
wheels.
The 6-Passenger Luxury Package adds park
assist, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear outboard seats,
heated power-adjustable mirrors with turn-signal indicators and
driver's side auto-dimming, leather wrapped and heated steering
wheel, and tilt steering column. The 5-Passenger Luxury Package includes all the
content of the 6-Passenger package, plus tri-zone automatic climate
control and a universal remote transmitter.
The Performance Package includes all but a few
of the previous features, plus the higher-tuned 292-hp V8,
performance algorithm shifting, Magnetic Ride Control, and P245/50
H-rated tires on 18-inch chromed aluminum wheels. Options include adaptive cruise control,
DVD-based navigation, a power tilt/slide sunroof, Lane Departure
Warning, and 17-inch chromed wheels.
Anti-lock brakes and Brake Assist, StabiliTrak
electronic stability control with all-speed traction control come
standard. Lane Departure Warning and Side Blind Zone Alert are
available on select models.
The Cadillac DTS is a big car. DTS is almost
four inches longer than a BMW 7 Series and 2.6 inches longer than
the latest long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan. Chrome trim
accents the body-color door moldings, and a narrow LED high-mounted
stop light runs nearly the entire width of the deck lid's crisply
edged rear contour. Seventeen-inch machined aluminum wheels come
standard, 18-inch wheels are available, and those wheels can be
ordered chromed. The Platinum option is distinguished visually by
18-inch chrome wheels, chrome grille, chrome inserts on the exterior
door handles, and a Platinum badge.
Interior Style and Features
The DTS cabin is roomy and luxurious. The trim
used on base models is Dark Babinga wood, while Premium and
Performance levels get Dark Burled Walnut. On five-passenger models,
the center console between the bucket seats houses the shifter and
storage bins. Facing the driver is an attractive four-spoke
wood-and-leather steering wheel with a finely etched
wreath-and-crest center badge. The 6-Passenger and 5-Passenger
Luxury Collection version include a heated steering wheel on a
tilting column; Premium Luxury and Performance add a telescoping
function.
The Platinum option offers hand-cut-and-sewn
leather on the instrument panel top pad, console and door trim.
French seams highlight the door panel inserts. The steering wheel is
leather-wrapped as well, and accented with the same light Ash
bordered by chrome rings. A sunroof is standard, and a
headrest-mounted rear DVD audio/video system is available.
Test Drive
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 275-horsepower version boasts 295
pound-feet of torque, while the 292-horsepower Performance engine
offers 288 pound-feet of torque; the Performance-tuned engine gives
up some torque for increased horsepower and the base engine actually
supplies better off-the-line acceleration. Frigid days and scorchers
are handled well by the DTS. The Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system
engages above 35 mph. A green light indicates that the system is
turned on and working. To avoid nuisance alerts, the system is
designed to not provide an alert if the turn signal is on or if the
driver makes a sharp maneuver. The Side Blind Zone Alert system uses
radar to sweep an 11-foot zone on either side of the vehicle; in
other words, about one lane over. With the system engaged, an amber
symbol lights up in the outside mirror whenever another vehicle
enters this blind zone.
2009 DTS Conclusions
The Cadillac DTS offers luxury and comfort in a
full-size package. It comes loaded with safety features, with the
option of the latest safety technology to warn the driver of hidden
hazards.
Forbes says "You feel like you are in command of the world and
riding in style." The DTS delivers strong acceleration performance and
handles quite well for a car of its size. It's a lot of car for your
money.