Cadillac DTS

New name, old car. Though the Cadillac DTS is a fairly recent introduction, this large luxury car actually has considerable heritage behind it. For more than 50 years, its predecessor, the DeVille, was a dominant player in the full-size luxury segment, offering the traditional American big-car virtues of spaciousness and a quiet, well-cushioned ride. As the decades wore on, it slowly adapted to changing wants and needs, finally downsizing to more manageable dimensions -- in terms of both physical size and power plant volume. More recent versions have seen a return to the days when driving a "Caddy" meant powerful V8 motivation, classy uptown styling and a roomy, sumptuous interior. Perhaps not yet back to its once "standard of the world" status, but definitely headed in the right direction.

The old-school branding has been replaced by "DTS," carrying on the heritage of the previous "DeVille Touring Sedan" in accordance with the company's more contemporary three-letter nomenclature. The Cadillac DTS continues to offer the qualities that have always attracted folks to America's premier luxury brand, and the recent updates infused the DTS with all of Cadillac's current styling cues -- the stacked headlights, simple egg-crate grille and crisp character lines. The voluminous cabin is more modern, too, as buyers can opt for bucket seats and a console up front instead of the traditional three-across bench. Advanced technology is evidenced by a navigation system, adaptive cruise control and heated, cooled and massaging seats.

In the final analysis, the Cadillac DTS remains true to its heritage while offering a level of sophistication that keeps it reasonably current -- a traditional Cadillac for the traditional Cadillac buyer. Compared to the leading imported luxury sedans, the DTS lags behind in terms of top-quality materials, precision build quality, handling dynamics and, for many, a perceived level of prestige. But astute shoppers will also note that the Caddy checks in from $10,000-$30,000 less than those rivals. And compared with its chief domestic rival, the aging Lincoln Town Car, the DTS offers a superior package: Equipped with the Northstar V8, it has advantages in performance, spaciousness and cabin ambience. For buyers desiring a traditional big American luxury car, the DTS is a solid candidate.

Current Cadillac DTS