With an engine as flexible and strong as Cadillac's NorthStar it's a good thing that the big car handles well. The 4.6-liter, 300 horsepower, 32-valve, DOHC V8 pulls with authority, reaching 60 mph (96.9 km/h) in only 6.8 seconds. The power comes on smooth and effortless with only a minimum of torque steer. The experience is not just about sheer power however. The absence of exterior noise mixed with the melodic sounds emanating from beyond the firewall creates an ambience that sets the DTS apart in this luxury class.
The transmission, although smooth as silk and efficient when kicking down to a lower gear, lacks a manual shifting mode. With all its power and road-handling prowess such a feature would be appreciated when tackling the curves and twists that the DTS was designed for.
There is no lack of luxury appointments however. Evidence that the designers and engineers paid attention to the details, Zebrano wood veneer is applied to an elegant dash, as well as the console and door inserts. Also, its interior door handles are exquisitely styled. Build quality of American made cars has been improving steadily and the DTS is no exception. Except for a tiny clip that attaches the optional Night Vision dash panel to the dash that came loose, the fit and finish of the DTS is excellent.
Convenience features are especially important to luxury car buyers and the DTS has no shortage. The leather clad steering wheel houses audio, cruise control and temperature control switchgear. There are electronic goodies such as a trip computer and the aforementioned Night Vision system, as well as an effective rear parking assistance system that both indicates by LED lights and beeping tones the distance from your hind end and an object.