Giaga's 2006 DTS Luxury III interior review: So long LS430!

[giagastormer]

So I got to sit in a 2006 Cadillac DTS Luxury III today. WOW!!!!

As I mentioned in my other thread, a GM engineer came to my work today. I was gawking at his DTS (black!), he threw me the keys, and told me to start it up.

It had EVERY option except Navigation. Fit & Finish is superb, best GM interior I've ever been in, no doubt. Totally blows away the new STS, IMO.

The wood steering wheel felt very thick, all the steering wheel controls worked excellent. The leather is so soft I almost creamed my pants. Let me tell you, the stereo kicks ASS!! All the buttons on the head unit have a quality feel, and fluid like motion to them, very impressed.

The upper dash is a soft, durable type of material. I was expecting it to be a carbon copy of last years DTS, but suprisingly it wasn't. It felt like it fit in with the $50k price of admission. The lower part of the dash was a different material, with a different grain. I thought for sure it would be hard (like the Impala), but it wasn't. That too, cought me by surprise.

Seats are SUPERB! I almost fell asleep while sitting in them, no wonder old people are so dangerous on the road.

I walked away impressed. Not only with the interior quality, but the exterior quality too. EVERYTHING fits perfectly, watch out Lexus, the new DTS is in town, and it's kicking ass and taking names.

[griswold44]

Seems like a nice car, but I wish GM gave it a more thorough redesign.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by griswold44

Seems like a nice car, but I wish GM gave it a more thorough redesign.

I'll acquiesce and actually admit I agree with you, griswold44... but just this once.

I understand Cadillac's inclination to make a vehicle that appeals to traditional Cadillac buyers, but I feel the "new" DTS could have achieved that goal while at the same time aligning the exterior sheetmetal more with the spirit of the mostly successful A&S design theme.

I'll also admit that no successor to the original [Lexus] LS has been all that progressive in terms of exterior design, either, so perhaps Cadillac's deviation may be successful in this one case.

Time will tell.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by giagastormer

It had EVERY option except Navigation. Fit & Finish is superb, best GM interior I've ever been in, no doubt. Totally blows away the new STS, IMO.

No navigation? What was in its place? i don't think I've seen a photo of DTS w/o it.
A light breeze will blow away the new STS.

Originally Posted by giagastormer

The wood steering wheel felt very thick, all the steering wheel controls worked excellent. The leather is so soft I almost creamed my pants. Let me tell you, the stereo kicks ASS!! All the buttons on the head unit have a quality feel, and fluid like motion to them, very impressed.

What was the touch and feel of the buttons? rubbery? plasticky?

Originally Posted by giagastormer

The upper dash is a soft, durable type of material. I was expecting it to be a carbon copy of last years DTS, but suprisingly it wasn't. It felt like it fit in with the $50k price of admission. The lower part of the dash was a different material, with a different grain. I thought for sure it would be hard (like the Impala), but it wasn't. That too, cought me by surprise.

2 different types of dash materials?? IS it similar to the rubbery plastic used in SSR, Corvette, and 9-7X?

EVERYTHING fits perfectly, watch out Lexus, the new DTS is in town, and it's kicking ass and taking names.

I wouldn't go that far.

[syr74]

GM needs a new platform in this segment. I have been in several Deville's (DTS is just stupid) and there is literally nothing GM could do to the DTS platform to make it anywhere near the equal of the LS430. However, in the real world this car will cost anyone buying it significantly less than the Lexus would, and therefore it really is not a head to head. For what it is and actually sells for the DTS is a pretty nice car IMO, but it is no Lexus LS430 by any means and as I mention above no refresh is going to change that.

If Caddy really wants to go after the 7, S-Class, and LS they need a new, premium, large-car chassis to do it with. Hey, that would give Caddy an excuse to build that rumoured uber-coupe too.

[goblue]

I can't believe I'm going to type this...

Syr isn't talking out his ass on this one, I would agree - whats set the LS apart from the others is the whole car feels solid, not just the interior. What Caddy needs to accomplish this is something other than the tired platform its on. Can Caddy beat Lexus at its own game - sure, but its going to take a brand new platform, and an engine thats not a 10 year old design.

What is impressive howeer is Caddy seems (based on Giaga's points) to have closed the gap significantly, and with pricing its an excellent value.

Caddy should build that stretched Sigma II, or Luxury Epsilon, or whatever they are dreaming up, and the optional V12 to go with it - thats what it will take to dethrone Lexus.

The car I'm most interested in right now off this platform is Lucerne - is its interior up to Avalon standards or better in fit and finish and materials? That would be an accomplishment. From the pics it has a shot - not in the "cool" factor - but in the "luxury" factor.

[01cavalier]

The only reason it seems that GM kept this car is for those that have gotten used to the front drive cars from Caddy, the older buyers feel safer driving FWD ofer RWD, and dont want to have to get AWD

[camaro chris]

Originally Posted by giagastormer

no wonder old people are so dangerous on the road.

LMAO!! i never thought of that

[AdmiralViscen]

No nav:



This car barely qualifies as a competitor to the LS.

[tama z71]

hey, gotta leave one for the old folk.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

No nav:



This car barely qualifies as a competitor to the LS.

Ya know what??
If that center stack was integrated and flowed right intot he center console with one big swath of wood.... it would look sooo much better.
Also, I know the camera flash washed out some of the dash plastics... but it looks like it's make of brushed aluminum in this photos... and it makes for a VERY nice look.

[AdmiralViscen]

Yea, the plastic between the wood looks **************** good with the flash effect. It probably doesn't look that good in person.

I hate the 'plug in' effect of the center console and the dash, too. I think it's because of the bench seat option.

[FoMoCo Fan]

I think it looks a lot better (exterior styling) than the snoozer LS.

[BigAls87Z28]

While quality might be high in the LS, I dont think that its lay out or even design is all to great. There is no WAY in the world would I take a LS over a 7, A8, or S class. Anyone who does is clearly sick in the head, or a Toyota fanatic. Spending that type of money on a large luxury car demands a great car then what the LS offers. BMW has updated is 7 series twice, A8 twice, and S class is all new, and the LS is STILL the same as it was. It looks like a supersized Camry in and out. It does not show any sort of luxury or class compared to its Germanic couterparts. The only car teh LS betters is the XJ Jag. Im tired of hearing about this car as its some sort of status symbol.

Anyway, the DTS's interior looks great. I actualy liek that metalic trim around the radio controls. Looks very sharp and modern. I cannot stand that ugly steering wheel. It just looks so out of place and cheap.
And I also wish that GM could create a smooth flowing center stack into console. It would really clean up the interior and make it much more stylish. Its not only with this car, but with most of GM's cars.

[AdmiralViscen]

Not exactly the greatest design. Window switches could have come from a Yukon, but at least there's wood around them. Lots of awkward angles, stupid little wood pieces, and the glove boxes look misaligned. Check out the door gap, too. And its steering wheel has non-integrated buttons on it, which everyone keeps complaining about in the Impala.

I don't think it looks like a supersized Camry. It looks like a Benz knockoff.