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The DTS is the closest
surviving equivalent to the Lincoln Town Car, despite its front-wheel-drive
architecture. It is similarly sized and proportioned, has a standard V8,
offers a front bench seat, and focuses primarily on a soft ride. While it is a
far superior car to the Town Car, with better-shaped seats, better-controlled
ride and handling, superior interior design and quality, and a smoother, more
powerful engine, it suffers from several of the same drawbacks, and costs
significantly more. At over $44,000, it holds the middle ground pricewise
between mainstream-branded large sedans that are almost as luxurious and
comfortable (or in some cases more so) and the much nicer outgoing Lexus
LS430, which is currently priced in the $50,000 range. And it can’t compete at
that price point.
The DTS’s ride is just
as absorbent as the Town Car, but much more composed. Still, it is prone
towards some float at highway speeds. Like the Town Car, it handles clumsily,
but isn’t as ponderous despite its similar size. The steering is more
responsive, but still vague and devoid of feedback. Its 4.6-liter V8 provides
good power, but though it is much quicker than the Town Car, it falls behind
the lighter V6 Toyotas in that area. A higher-priced “Performance” model
offers a bit more power and a firmer suspension. It is smooth and refined
under any circumstance, and sounds better under acceleration than the Lincoln
and the Toyotas. Wind and road noise are well-suppressed. Gas mileage does not
impress.
Inside, the DTS has
better-shaped and firmer seats than the Town Car, but the front seats could
still use more lateral support. The rear is has more leg space than the Town
Car, and a center passenger will be more comfortable.
 The Cadillac also has a
nicer interior than the Lincoln, a fact that the interior design may obscure
in a first impression. The materials are of a higher quality, and the panel
gaps are tighter. The ergonomics are also better, with much clearer gauges and
a simpler instrument layout, including the absorbed audio controls, though
independent audio controls like in this group’s Toyotas would have been even
less complicated. Drivers sit comfortably enough (though the telescoping
steering column that comes only on pricier versions ought to be standard in a
car this expensive) and have clear enough visibility. Entry/exit is very easy.
The trunk isn’t as vast as the Town Car’s, but it is better shaped and easier
to access.
The DTS reviewed here
came in at $44,185, by far the highest price in this group. The feature
content makes up for some of that compared to the $37,000 Town Car, as the DTS
has the side airbags and stability control that the Lincoln lacks, as well as
GM’s OnStar driver assistance system, heated steering wheel, XM satellite
radio, front-and-rear obstacle sensors, heated and cooled front seats and
heated rear seats, a remote starter, and a tire-pressure monitor. You can’t
get a CD changer with the navigation system however, as you can in the Town
Car.
Overall, the DTS is much
better than the Town Car, but much more expensive than it ought to be. The DTS
is generally a pleasant car while the Town Car is a bad car, but neither is a
good choice. At over $44,000, there are better options, and at well under
$44,000 there are very similar options. The DTS’s strengths of a roomy,
high-quality interior, a comfortable and quiet ride, and high feature content
are hardly rare, and can be had for less money. All that must be sacrificed is
the Cadillac badge, which there is no reason to pay so much extra for.
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