Overview & Reviews

For five years, the Cadillac DTS served as a relic to the brand's past. While its name followed the latest Caddy nomenclature, under the skin it was a refreshed version of the Cadillac DeVille that preceded it. For more than 50 years, 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 (relatively) manageable dimensions -- in terms of both physical size and power plant volume.

Though the Cadillac DTS was popular with those who valued the traditional large American luxury car, it was behind the times in terms of design, engineering, interior materials, precision build quality, handling dynamics and even a general level of prestige. Granted, you got an enormous car with plush seats, lots of stuff and a Cadillac badge for a price that undercut smaller luxury cars. But for a used luxury sedan choice, we'd recommend something a little more modern, be it from the Cadillac portfolio or elsewhere.

Used Cadillac DTS Models
The Cadillac DTS was produced from 2006-'11.There were four trim levels available. The Base, Luxury and Premium trims came with a 4.6-liter V8 that produced 275 horsepower. The Performance trim was replaced by the Platinum for 2010, but both featured a 292-hp version of the same V8 along with a standard Magnetic Ride Control suspension. Power was sent to the front wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission.

As was traditional for a full-size Cadillac sedan, the DTS could be had in five- or six-passenger configurations. Given the car's generous proportions, interior room was excellent. Front passengers were coddled in soft leather bucket seats (or a 40/20/40 leather bench on the six-passenger version). Rear passengers enjoyed just as much legroom as those in front. For luggage, the DTS offered up a nearly 19-cubic-foot trunk. The amount of available equipment was generous, but overall design and materials lagged behind the import-brand competition as well as those Cadillacs introduced later in its life. Controls were at least easy to operate compared to newer, more technologically advanced luxury sedans.

On the road, the Cadillac DTS displays plenty of power for quick passing maneuvers and effortless high-speed cruising, while the suspension offers a compliant ride. Still, virtually every other large luxury sedan offers just as much or more power from V6 engines, while also offering more confidence-inspiring handling. The Performance/Platinum model's Magnetic Ride Control suspension does a notably better job of controlling body motions than the standard setup, resulting in a less floaty and more precise feel. Regardless of trim, road and wind noise are almost nonexistent.

Changes were few for the DTS beyond some minor standard and optional equipment updates. Buyers should note, however, that stability control was not available on the base trim. As such, we'd avoid that (the next trim up was vastly better equipped regardless of year).

Consumers interested in a used DTS prior to '06 will want to check out our review of the car's predecessor, the DeVille.

User Reviews:

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  Love those Caddys - 2008 Cadillac DTS
  By Joel Albert - December 14 - 11:38 am

  Bought my 4th Cadillac. 94 Deville had 175,000 miles 99 Deville had 130,000 05 DHS had 110,000..just got 08 DTS...these are true road warriors that have given this road warrior almost 1/2 million comfortable safe miles...had a Lincoln in between the 99 and 05 Caddy...not even close to Caddy ride. When I got my first one I was only 44..below average demographic..love the comfort acceleration and handling..not interested in overrated and overpriced German or Japanese..Caddy packages all options neatly..takes me 20 minutes to buy my car..always get the White Diamond..keep building these.

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  Get a Life--its a Caddy! - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By John - December 9 - 9:13 am

  Why do "reviewers" think everything on wheels has to be an McClaren? This is a luxury car that is extremely comfortable, reasonably nimble for a 2- ton vehicle, easy to enter and exit, gets me 18+ mpg around town, well made, gives me a back massage, decent appearance. It does what I want it to do in terrific fashion! Im not sure why a luxury automobile needs 55-series tires, 17 inch wheels, and nearly 300 horsepower, but it does. Ive owned a 800 hp street-legal 57 Chevy, Ive driven my Dads Chrysler Hemi for several thousand miles--and they were both great, but Ill take my Caddy for everyday driving. Its solid American iron and I dont think it needs to apologize for anything!

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  jacobsons DTS review - 2008 Cadillac DTS
  By jacobson, s - November 11 - 10:15 am

  I started driving a Cadillac when Oldsmobile stopped building the original Aurora. I travel from Florida to Atlanta, GA and the ride is comfortable, quiet, and smooth, my companion reads a book all during the drive. On one trip my cruise control stopped working, I hit my OnStar button and they made an appointment for me at a dealership near where I was staying. The service manager was waiting for me and the problem was solved. He called me to make sure everything was completed to my satisfaction.That is Cadillac quality and servuce.

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  Cadillac - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By dennisfaust - October 23 - 3:02 pm

  Great solid car. Good value. Rides like a Cadillac. Plenty of power. Economy is competitive to much smaller cars, and regular gas is a plus. Well designed interior. Everything fits and is comfortable. Quiet ride.

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  Id buy it again - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Duke Borkoski - October 23 - 11:50 am

  This is my 4th Caddy and it has more omph that any of the previous 3. Great color -Ice Blue. Got better mileage with the 03 but this still gets 25-27 mpg on the road. Love the extra toys - heated steering wheel, OnStar, etc.

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  Much to be desired - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By BJ TX - October 16 - 10:22 pm

  The car looks nice enough but interior design needs help, may as well put the radio and A/C panels & controls on the floor since it is necessary to turn & look down to see them. The seat belt buckle is difficult to find jammed up by the center console. The plastic interior is poor quality for a LUX car. The ride is smooth the engine power is good, steering could be tighter. This car rides and handles no better than my base 01 De Ville and lacks the comfort. The controls in the arm rest are poor design resting my arm on it the windows go down and the controls are touchy. There are too many DIC switches. The tire monitor has stopped working. Rear visibility past the rear doors down the side.

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  Solid Performer, Great Value - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By John - October 13 - 4:37 pm

  Overall quality, fit, and finish a step up from previous models. Driver door lock switch defective, caused alarm every time car was opened with key. Easily fixed by dealer. Very satisfying car to drive. Under appreciated value for the money.

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  Never Again - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By Never Again - August 31 - 7:51 pm

  How GM can continue to produce garbage like this and still stay in business eludes me. This is the second new Cadillac Ive owned, my 04Deville was a total lemon and I thought it was an anomaly, unfortunately it wasnt, my 07 is an even bigger lemon! I dont know where to start, the car breaks down almost constantly, everything from electrical to drivetrain, even the heated seats broke. The front wheel drive system, axils, seals and transmission are a mess. The car spends more time in the shop than in my garage. If I was to give a complete list of everything thats been repaired on this car it would take an hour to read. About all this car does is look good standing still.

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  Bad seats - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By Jack Kreska - August 27 - 2:34 pm

  Fake leather dash and door panels, too much plastic, uncomfortable seats. The optional "bench" seats have no lateral support, the seat is too short and does not support my legs, and I cannot find a comfortable position. The passenger seat is similar. Our previous DeVille (2002) had much better seats than this one. The steering wheel is heated but the leather cover does not extend to the 10 and 2 oclock driving areas. Also, the instruments and console are difficult to read while wearing sun glasses (and we really need them in Texas). The luxury options are great, but overall, were really disappointed with what theyve done to this car.

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  My Dream Car - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By Dave Albanese - August 5 - 10:41 am

  This is our 5th DTS and it is by far the very best. Black on black. So quiet its hard to believe! Why someone would not buy or lease this luxury car is beyond me. They have acheived a blend of all that a luxury auto should be in this car. I highly recommend tis wonderful American made automobile.