2007 Cadillac DTS

The Billionaire Daddy Warbucks character of Little Orphan Annie comic book and stage fame probably would be driven around in the rear, heated seat of a black Cadillac DTS if he were still around.


The generally impressive DTS sedan has traditional luxury American car features, although newer Cadillac models have a more youthful image.

For one thing, the DTS has front-wheel drive, while other Cadillacs have rear- or all-wheel-drive systems also found on foreign luxury rivals. Rear-drive provides more balanced handling when a car is driven hard, but front-drive offers better traction during routine driving.

Most DTS drivers probably won't push the car too hard because it's no sports sedan, although my test DTS Performance model steered, handled and braked well for a large 4,000-pound auto. The $48,760 Performance version has a sport suspension and wider 50-series tires on larger 18-inch (vs. standard 17-inch) wheels.

The base DTS has a list price of $41,390, and there are $44,390 Luxury I and $46,710 Luxury II versions.

Too bad Cadillac changed the name of its big sedan from "DeVille" to "DTS" in 2006 in keeping with its alphabet soup of auto model designations: CTS, SRX, STS and XLR.

The DeVille was a revered Cadillac model name, and the automaker's discontinued Eldorado coupe had one of the industry's most romantic names. (For decades, many publications wrongly called that long-lived car the "El Dorado.") At least Cadillac continues to call its SUV the "Escalade."

Cadillac changed the DeVille name to DTS when it conservatively restyled and mechanically revised the car for 2006. The big sedan got new front styling with a crisper-looking grille and an edgy, vertical-headlight treatment. There also were large new vertical taillights inset into the fenders, and the trunk lid got a crisp trailing edge. The car got tighter build tolerances and a quieter, updated interior.

The 2007 DTS has more standard equipment and revised color palettes, inside and out. Chrome wheels with new center caps now are standard for all models. Popular extras that were only available on top-line option packages are included in more DTS packages. They include XM Satellite Radio and rear sunshades.

Even the base DTS is loaded with equipment, including dual-zone automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, eight-way power front bucket seats, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, remote engine start and the usual power accessories.

The Luxury I adds a heated steering wheel, anti-skid system, front/rear ob- stacle detection system, heated/cooled front seats and heated rear seats. It even has heated washer fluid.

The Luxury II adds massaging front seats, rear automatic climate control, eight-speaker Bose AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, power rear sunshade and chrome alloy wheels.

The few options include a $1,200 power sunroof and $1,695 adaptive cruise control for Luxury I, II and Performance models. That feature automatically keeps the DTS at a set distance from a vehicle ahead.

Standard safety items for all models include traction control, front-side and curtain-side air bags and powerful anti-lock disc brakes.

The DTS has a sophisticated 4.6-liter dual-overhead-camshaft V-8 with either 275 or 300 horsepower. The Performance model gets the 300-horsepower version for the swiftest acceleration, but the 275-horsepower V-8 provides solid performance. The Performance model has no less than four exhaust outlets.

Estimated fuel economy is nearly identical for both V-8 versions. It's 17 mpg city and 25 highway for the lower-horsepower V-8 and 17 and 24 for the 300-horsepower V-8.

The DTS has a smooth, alert four-speed automatic transmission. Some foreign rivals have an automatic with five or more speeds, but U.S. competitors such as the Lincoln Town Car and Chrysler 300 also have a four-speed automatic.

Large doors allow easy entry and exit. The DTS comfortably accommodates four to five tall adults, and has room for six with a $295 split front bench seat and steering column shifter -- not offered for the Performance model. Front seats provide moderate side support in curves, but some long-legged drivers might wish their seat moved back a little more.

The backlit gauges can be read easily, most controls are easily worked, and front console cupholders have a neat sliding cover. Doors have storage pockets, and there's a deep covered front console bin.

It's becoming hard to find ashtrays in cars, but the DTS has one up front and one in each rear door. Cigar-smok- ing Daddy Warbucks would be pleased.

Steering is responsive, handling is predictable and braking is impressive, although they're all sharper on the Performance model. All DTS versions have a comfortable ride with the car's fully independent suspension, although it's slightly firmer with the Performance model. Some might find the DTS turning circle too large, although the car has good maneuverability in traffic.

The trunk is huge, thanks partly to a small spare tire (I'd prefer a full-size one.) It has a wide, bumper-level opening and a lid that has an inside cover and pull-down indented area.

The DTS is roomy, powerful and refined. It's not for kids, but many middle-aged folks should appreciate it as much as members of the older "traditional" luxury car crowd that buys most full-size Cadillac sedans. 

2007 CADILLAC DTS 

PRICE: $41,390-$48,760

LIKES: Luxurious. Powerful. Roomy. Well-equipped. Nice Performance version.

DISLIKES: No full-size spare tire. Large turning circle. Other Caddy models more youthful.