By Steven D. Gatt, Automotive Editor
The Cadillac Deville Concours is a very big and comfortable car. The Concours edition of the Deville is an upgrade providing even more standard features. The most important feature evaluated here is not just the car but the OnStar System. More later on this great technology.
The Deville Concours is comfortable to drive; it doesn't drive as big as it looks. It handles most tasks with ease and precision. Only when pushed hard will you notice the lack of lateral support in the seats and body roll in the car. The variable assist power steering even makes most parking chores down right easy.
The transmission is a smooth shifting 4-speed automatic that puts the 305 horsepower of the NorthStar 4.6L, V8 to the pavement in a hurry. You won't have trouble merging on the expressway with this power train. EPA ratings for the Deville are decent at 17 city, and 26 highway. During our testing we achieved 24 mpg.
The Deville Concours is front-wheel-drive unlike the foreign competition (Mercedes, BMW) and even the domestic Lincoln Town Car; the only real American competition. The front-wheel-drive, combined with traction control and four-wheel anti-lock brakes makes for a very safe driving experience, in most any weather.
Our test Cadillac Deville Concours featured an extensive list of standard features, and many optional amenities. Some of those features and amenities were: remote keyless entry, power heated front seats, electronic leveling control, large power sunroof, automatic headlights and an electronic compass. Two exceptional features are the retained accessory power. This means the radio will continue playing after the car is shut off, until the door is opened. The other feature is rain sense windshield wipers that monitor the amount of precipitation on the windshield and wipe when necessary.
Safety is also provided inside the car for all three front passengers. Cadillac has dual airbags' upfront with the passenger airbag being oversized to provide protection to the middle occupant. This system is known as airbank. New for 1997 are front door mounted airbags for even more occupant protection. Power door locks with child security locks on the rear doors provides yet more safety; along with power lockout on the rear window controls. One more safety feature is the OnStar system.
What is the OnStar System? Not exactly an easy question to answer; it is a lot of things. Here are just a few of the things OnStar can do. It provides navigational support; this alone is reason enough to get the system for that stubborn man that won't stop and ask for directions. Those directions anywhere are now at your fingertips. Lose your car in the parking lot? Just call the 800 number provide the personalized password and OnStar will set off the horn and lights so that you can find it. I tested the system with unlocking service. The OnStar advisor I spoke with politely asked for the password then unlocked the Deville.
One of the most important things OnStar does is automatic emergency personnel notification of airbag deployment. If you are injured in an accident and unable to summon help the OnStar system does it for you the system will even tell the police where the accident is. It also provides stolen vehicle tracking. Some of the other capabilities include ordering flowers, making hotel reservations or finding the closest Mobil gas station.
The only thing other onboard navigational systems have over OnStar is the digital map screen inside the car. OnStar makes up for this with the vast array of other abilities. Fortunately, the system will become available on more GM products for 1998 so more people can feel secure with OnStar by their side.
Normally this is a car that more mature adults drive, and some would say they drive it just because it's big. Well, that's not necessarily true. The Cadillac Deville Concours is an exceptional value with a total price as tested of only $45,727. For size, comfort and value, you really can't beat the Cadillac Deville adding the OnStar system only enhances this king of Cadillac's.