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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Cadillac DTS

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2011 Cadillac DTS

Overview

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2008 Cadillac DTS Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

The 2008 Cadillac DTS (formerly known as the DeVille) continues with relatively few changes. Designed to appease traditional Cadillac buyers who may be turned off by the company's newer products, the DTS maintains a firm foothold in the soft-riding, moderate-handling category. With its long hood, six-passenger seating and huge trunk, the DTS is equally as capable of accommodating a foursome's trip to the golf course as it is a family's weekend retreat. Although priced well into Lexus territory, Cadillac feels the long list of electronic goodies on the DTS, coupled with its famed Northstar V8 engine, should be sufficient to keep brand-loyal customers from jumping ship. Yet, as aging baby-boomers look for more comfortable means of transport, the DTS just may win over an entirely new generation.

You'll Like This Car If...

Drivers of any age who place comfort and luxury over sportiness and performance might be well-satisfied behind the wheel of a DTS, even if they couldn't quite bring themselves to buy one. Mature shoppers are most likely to appreciate the DTS's many available comforts and amenities.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Steer clear if you're embarrassed to be seen in a car that your parents or grandparents might drive, despite its alluring comforts. Although the ride is far better than in Cadillacs of the distant past, it's less direct and more isolated than many of today's motorists would prefer.

What's Significant About This Car?

The limited edition Platinum Series joins the line-up, while two new systems, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Zone Alert, join the options list.

Driving the DTS

Driving Impressions Smooth and silken throughout, the 2008 Cadillac DTS suggests motoring from an earlier, more elegant era. Ride quality approaches genteel most of the time, but that translates to a reduced...

feeling of precision and security when the pavement turns rough. Despite an indisputably soft suspension, the DTS is far less floaty than might be expected and body lean in corners is tolerable. The steering, however, delivers a noticeable disconnect between driver and road. Expect utterly smooth response from the standard V8, with near-seamless shifts from the automatic transmission and virtually no delay in passing or merging with traffic. Except for a tiny vibration at idle, the DTS is ultra-quiet.

Favorite Features

Northstar V8 Engine and Hydra-Matic
The Northstar V8 is well known for smooth running and energetic response to the gas pedal, helped by unobtrusive shifts from GM's Hydra-Matic transmission.

Optional Front Split Bench Seat
Even if many shoppers may not particularly want one, it's refreshing to know that a six-passenger sedan still exists on the market.

2008 Cadillac DTS Details

Interior

Dual-firmness seats provide plenty of travel, while the instrument panel is lower and farther forward. Normally seating five passengers, the DTS promises abundant front-seat space that lets occupants stretch out on comfortable, well-cushioned upholstery. Rear-seat space is no less bountiful, but the hard center seatback curtails comfort. The glovebox is a long reach and items fall out easily. Analog gauges are easy to read, augmented by a small digital speedometer. Visibility is good, despite wide rear pillars and a high back shelf. Many controls and buttons are difficult to decipher, so owners must consult the manual.

Exterior

"Cadillac-signature" styling ties the DTS to the DeVilles of the past, as well as to the company's present and future. Details were developed to fall into line with other current Cadillac models, such as the CTS and STS. Front-end sheetmetal and the egg-crate grille, and the rear quarter and decklid, including the vertically-shaped LED taillamps, are new, and Intellibeam automatic high-beam headlamps are now standard. Cadillac calls the DTS styling "more architectural" and "linear" and, according to the company, body gaps are tighter than ever, within one millimeter between hood and fender and less than two millimeters between taillamps and decklid.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

Safety items top the list of standard features, including four-channel anti-lock brakes (ABS) and traction control, roof-rail side-curtain airbags and front-seat side-impact thorax airbags. A factory-installed Adaptive Remote Start system includes a personalization provision. The 17-inch tires are mounted to machined aluminum wheels, and leather upholstery, automatic dual-zone climate control, folding power mirrors, a CD player with MP3 capability and GM's OnStar assistance system are standard.

Optional Equipment

Although the 2008 Cadillac DTS is offered in a single trim level, option groups can add extra features. The Performance Package includes the 292-horsepower high-output V8 engine, performance algorithm shifting, Magnetic Ride Control and 18-inch tires on machined aluminum wheels. Option Package Luxury I includes front and rear parking assist sensors, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, heated windshield-washer nozzles, brake assist and four-channel StabiliTrak stability control. Radar-based adaptive speed control provides audible and visual alerts. Additional options include a moonroof, DVD navigation system, power rear sunshade and color-keyed grille.

Under the Hood

In standard form, the Northstar LD8 4.6-liter dual-overhead-cam V8 develops 275 horsepower and is matched with a Hydra-Matic four-speed transmission. A higher-output, higher-revving Northstar L37 V8 is available with the Performance Package—rated at nearly 300 horsepower but yielding less torque than the LD8.

4.6-liter V8 LD8
275 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
295 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/23

4.6-liter V8 High Output L37
292 horsepower @ 6300 rpm
288 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22

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2008 Cadillac DTS Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

8.9

Out of 10

Based on 139 Ratings for the 2006 - 2011 models.

Review this car

Value

9.1/10

Quality

9.1/10
Reliability

9.2/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.3/10

Styling

9.2/10

Great car for the traveling salesman....

By billyjobob (VA) on Tuesday, January 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 26,000

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "smooth, powerful, caddy ride, with better handling"

Cons: "quality lacks for a 40,000.00 car"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"This car is really nice, rides well, quite, smooth, and handles pretty good for a large caddy. It has a lot of power and suprises a few people riding inside. But the quality is lacking for a car with 25k miles. The cruise control doesnt want to work all the time....and the power seat has issues now. Also, the front wheel bearing has started to make some roaring noises. Car also sounds funny when you first start it up in the mornings...like its missing on a few cylinders."

3 people out of 3 found this review helpful

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Nice car for someone who wants power, some luxury

By Michael James (TX) on Sunday, December 30, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 72,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 9/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Modern electronics, style, power, smoothness"

Cons: "Buzzy front wheel drive, high repair costs"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"After wrecking an early 2000s Lincoln Town Car I wanted to try a Cadillac. I have always preferred a 4-door standard sedan. I find the Cadillac some fun to drive but miss several Town Car features I didn't know how much I love. One is keyless entry. It's impossible to lock your keys in the car and you don't have to fumble with a keyfob remote to get into the car or trunk. Even to lock the car, Ford's keyless entry system is unparalleled. Second, the front wheel drive is noisy (to me) and transmits vibration through the steering wheel. I just don't care for it. Also, believe it or not, a Lincoln is more maneuverable with its rear wheel drive. The Caddy has a heavy feel in the steering compared to the Lincoln. The Lincoln is quieter although the Cadillac is very smooth and powerful on the highway. The Cadillac fit and finish is comparable but interior amenities differ - things like interior grab handles - missing on the Caddy, present on the Lincoln. One last thought is the cost of repair. Recently one of the HID headlights went out and the repair cost is very very high. Yes HID headlamps are nice but the Cadillac must be disassembled to replace, not a normal do it yourself task. I finally found a replacement Lincoln Town Car and bought it."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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