Not much has changed in Cadillac’s new 2011 DTS sedan. This vehicle offers modern comforts commonly associated with this price range. It has a fantastically plush ride, and an extremely quiet cabin. The car even carries a big V8 standard with a four-speed automatic transmission.
The 2011 Cadillac DTS comes with four trim levels. These are Basic, Luxury, Premium, and Platinum. The standard model comes from the factory with 17-inch wheels, front foglights, sepearte climate control for passenger and driver, Bluetooth, an eight-speaker stereo system, OnStar free for 12 months, remote engine start, and xenon headlights.
The Platinum model yields the driver a more powerful engine, Magnetic Ride Control, 18-inch wheels, and a leather accented dash, and a faux-suede headliner, blind spot warning systems, and lane-departure systems.
The transmission is tweaked for higher performance in the Platinum model. Front-wheel drive is the method in which the transmission transfers power in all models. The 2011 Cadillac DTS comes standard with electronic stability control, side-impact front airbags, and side curtain airbags for both rows of seats. The available front bench seat makes this car one of the only luxury sedans that seats six. The ride quality in the 2011 DTS is up to par with any luxury sedan ever driven.
The DTS, formerly the DeVille, is a front-wheel-drive alternative in Cadillac's luxury sedan lineup. It competes with the Lincoln MKS, Volvo S80 and Chrysler 300C. The DTS can seat five or six.
New for 2011
The 2011 DTS gets free scheduled oil changes, tire rotations, replacement of engine and cabin air filters, and multipoint vehicle inspection for four years or 50,000 miles through Cadillac's Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance program. Otherwise, there are no significant changes.
Exterior
The DTS' styling is linear and straightforward. It's 207.6 inches long (the roomier DTS-L is 215.6 inches long) making it larger and longer than the MKS, S80 and 300C. The model's styling is similar to Cadillac's STS sedan. Exterior features include:
• Eggcrate grille
• Central wreath-and-crest badging and fresh front-end sheet metal
• Standard xenon headlights
• Vanilla Latte and Tuscan Bronze ChromaFlair exterior colors
• 17-inch wheels standard
• Available 18-inch wheels and sunroof
Interior
The DTS can hold five or six occupants, with a choice of front bucket seats or a front bench. Interior features include:
• Burl wood trim available
• XM Satellite Radio, NavTraffic and OnStar available
• Standard dual-zone automatic climate control (three-zone system with a zone for rear passengers is optional)
• Optional heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel
• Standard remote start system
• Optional power folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and heated windshield-washer fluid
Under the Hood
The DTS is available with a choice of Northstar 4.6-liter V-8 engines, both mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Mechanical features include:
• Base V-8 produces 275 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque
• Optional quicker-revving version makes 292 hp and 288 pounds-feet of torque
• Optional Magnetic Ride Control
Safety
Safety features include:
• Optional lane departure warning system uses a camera between the rearview mirror and windshield to warn drivers when they've strayed from their lane
• Optional blind spot warning system senses when objects are in the driver's blind spot
• Six standard airbags: side-impact, side curtain and dual front
• Standard all-disc antilock brakes
• Standard electronic stability system with brake assist
• Standard traction control
A gentle, floating ride and spacious interior make the 2011 Cadillac DTS remind buyers of classic models. The DTS is a huge, front-wheel drive sedan that doesn’t have much in common with most luxury large cars. In the luxury large car class the Audi A6, Lincoln MKS and Volvo S80 are the only other front-wheel drive options available. These competitors all have their attributes, but the MKS best matches the DTS in terms of interior space and price.
