1998 Cadillac Seville Review

1998 Cadillac Seville

Caddy luxo-cruiser.

by: Dan Jedlicka

Don't confuse the $42,495 SLS (Seville Luxury Sedan) with the $46,995 STS (Seville Touring Sedan) model. That's easily done because both carry the Seville name and look virtually identical.

However, the STS is more hard-edged mechanically and was expressly designed to compete both here and abroad with high-line European sedans from automakers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. That's why the STS made its world debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany last fall, not at a U.S. show.

While the STS has a 300-horsepower version of Cadillac's smooth Northstar V-8, the SLS has a 275-horsepower version of that dual-overhead-camshaft engine.

But the SLS V-8 has more than enough punch to provide neck-snapping acceleration. And the SLS version of the 32-valve V-8 is tuned to provide a bit more torque, which kicks in at lower engine speeds to provide slightly better response during typical U.S. driving.

Both versions of the V-8 work with a responsive four-speed automatic transmission and deliver an estimated, so-so 17 m.p.g. in the city and 26 on highways. The STS automatic is modified to be more performance-oriented during the hard driving most SLS owners aren't expected to do.

The front-wheel-drive Seville was revamped for 1998, with items such as different styling, a more rigid body, upgraded Northstar V-8 and longer wheelbase.

As with previous Sevilles, the new SLS and STS have plenty of gree-whiz technical features, including an electronic suspension that continuously adjusts to road conditions and Cadillac's StabiliTrak vehicle control system, which makes the Seville handle better during adverse conditions.

While the STS is better equipped than the SLS, the latter has a huge amount of standard equipment. It also has a softer ride because it's aimed at more ``traditional'' Cadillac buyers--or those who don't care if their car won't keep up with a BMW at high speeds on winding roads.

The SLS generally has a softer, more conventional U.S. luxury car feel than the STS. While the STS ride is rather firm, the SLS has almost a mushy ride on, say, undulating pavement.

Handling is decent, but handicapped by lower-performance, softer-riding tires that squeal when pushed and limit top speed to 112 m.p.h. The STS has harder-riding tires that allow it to safely reach 150 m.p.h.

The SLS power steering isn't quite as responsive as that of the STS but is quick and accurate. Moreover, the SLS brake pedal has a better feel than the pedal in the STS I tested in April 1998.

Four tall adults easily fit in the SLS, but front seats should provide more side support. Rear doors also should be wider to allow easier entry and exit.

The trunk is long and plenty large. But it's also rather shallow, and wheel wells eat into its space.

The SLS interior has a fair amount of tire noise, but otherwise is impressively quiet--even during high speed cruising.

Curiously, the SLS exhaust system has four huge outlets jutting from under the rear bumper, while the racier STS has only two such outlets. It seems as if it should be the other way around.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

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