2002 Cadillac DeVille Review

2002 Cadillac DeVille

Front-Drive Luxury.

by: Dan Jedlicka

This big front-wheel-drive sedan is essentially unchanged, with new items such as an advanced navigation system and revised wreath and crest badging. The 275-horsepower Base and DHS models are a bit softer and a little slower than the DTS, which has a 300-horsepower version of the same V-8 and such things as wider tires. No matter what model, the DeVille has one of the world's best engine-transmission combinations. Both V-8s easily whisk the DeVille to high speeds and the transmission upshifts so smoothly you can't tell gears are being changed.

Economy is an estimated 18 mpg in the city and 27 on highways, although in-town driving typically is 14-15 mpg. Only 87-octane fuel is required. All DeVilles are loaded with Space Age gadgets. However, the $47,255 DTS tops the cake with Cadillac's StabiliTrak and Continuously Variable Road Sensing Suspension systems, which provide more road grip and comfort. Despite its size, the DeVille only comfortably seats four tall adults. That's especially true with the DTS, which has supportive front bucket seats instead of a power split front bench seat. The tomb-quiet interior has a typical U.S. luxury car look. Controls are large and gauges are easy to read.

The trunk is enormous, but it's a stretch to reach objects at its far end. The lid has old-fashioned manual hinges, but they're in housings to prevent them from crunching luggage. The bigger tires and electronic suspension gizmos provide the DTS with more agility than the other DeVille models, although all DeVilles handle and stop far better than you might expect for a large, two-ton sedan with a soft but well-controlled ride. However, the quick steering feels numb. The DeVille--especially the sporty DTS--should appeal to both traditional and younger Cadillac buyers.

CADILLAC DEVILLE
Prices
$42,325-$47,255
Likes
Very fast. Good handling. Smooth. Roomy.
Dislikes
Steering lacks road feel. Low city fuel economy.

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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