Vehicle: 2007 Cadillac DTS Performance with full-leather seats
Price as tested: CDN$67885

Performance: With 4.6L DOHC Northstar V8 pushing 292 hp and 288 lb/ft of torque, there is no shortage of power in the DTS. The performance prowess of this 292 horses have created some problem for DTS’s fundamental chassis, which we will get back to it later on. Northstar V8 has always been famous for its world-class refinement, quietness and flexability. The latest application still haven’t lost any of its magic. The throttle response is typical GM featherweight. With DTS Performance’s High Output Northstar’s 288 lb/ft arrives as low as 4400rpm, all you feel is plenty of rushes in the low end. This V8 feels surprisingly revvable in high rpm although it doesn’t have the rapsy engine note as its German rivals. In terms of transmission, DTS only comes with 4-speed auto unit. Although its shifting quality has up to GM’s high standards, in this day and age, a 5 or 6-speed automatic should be standard given its 67k price tag.

Handling: If you are looking for a capably handled Caddy, look at CTS and STS. The DTS’s status of life serves as a comfortable long-distance cruiser. With its soft suspension and springs, it doesn’t encourage any drivers to push it hard into a mild corner. However, its just ride so softly and comfortably on highway miles thanks to its floaty suspension. Cadillac intended to tune floatiness in DTS’s suspension in order to keep its loyal customers. As you would expect from this kind of setting, there are tons of understeer and body rolls. Not to mention the steering feels numb and dead. You can feel the leather stitches on the steering instead of any road imperfections. The biggest dynamic shortfall has to be horrible torque steer. Whenever a front-driver has over 292 hp, it speaks for disaster. This 292 horses DTS is simply disasterous when accelerating from standing still. One has to pull the steering straight because the torque steer is just scary. Plus I don’t think GM engineers have put through any engineering to stop wheelspin when accelerating. The ultra-instrusive StabiliTrak only able to work during understeer. This system should kick-in whether there is heavy torque steer consider DTS’s elder target audience.

Brakes: DTS’s 4-wheel discs and ABS provide surprisingly good pedal feel. Although its initial bite remains GM mushy, the travel and modulation have improved over previous units. GM engineers should incorporate the same engineering in STS’s braking feel into DTS, that would make it a much more pleasant system to handle.

Interior: Consider DTS costs 67 grand, there are still some cheap pieces from GM parts bin. On the other hand, its switchgears and overall ergonomics have significantly improved over GM’s previous disasterous executions. Both the climate and stereo are placed ergonomically. The optional full-leather seats are simply superb. Those Tuscany leather zooms classy smell and suppleness. Instrumentation gauges are clear and analog. With 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, the driving position is easily found.

What DTS exceeds is the back seat. There are tons of head and legrooms. Even the one seats in the middle is very comfortable.

Conclusion: DTS remains a crown jewel in Cadillac’s line-up thanks to its loyal customer base and comfortable road manners. While STS and CTS are going performance-oriented, German chasing attitude. DTS is and will always been a true American luxury sedan. However…………………………………………….!!

a similarly equipped and equally comfortable Buick Lucerne cost 20 grand less than DTS. Both DTS and Lucerne got the same floaty suspension, even interior materials are identical except for full-leather in DTS. Buick is the default choice except you insist in getting a full-size sedan with Cadillac Crest.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 CADILLAC DTS
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 3.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 1/5

Overall rating: 2.5/5