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Cadillac has pulled out all stops for its new DeVille, trying to lure a younger generation of drivers to its big sedans.

Borrowing a page from the Mercedes-Benz S-class and the Lexus LS400, the redesigned 2000 DeVille sets out to shed its geriatric past and do so without alienating its traditional buyers.

And so the DeVille comes in three flavors: the standard edition tuned for the traditional buyers who like their cars big and their suspensions soft; the DHS (high-luxury sedan) for those who want all the high-tech goodies thrown in; and the DTS (touring sedan) for those who favor the sportier edge, including more power, an electronically adjusted suspension and a shifter mounted on the floor instead of the steering column.

Although the styling is not going to drag new believers into the showroom, a little time behind the steering wheel will convince some drivers that Cadillac has rounded a corner. The big Caddy has turned its back on a bloated, tail-finned past in favor of a more-worldly vision of a full-size luxury cruiser.

This is the first big Caddy that I’ve really liked. Although I drove the DHS (and I had asked Santa for the sportier DTS), I found the DeVille surprisingly responsive and satisfying. Maybe it’s my age showing, but this Cadillac didn’t seem like something my great-uncle might drive, but something that a fellow midlifer might aspire to.

Not surprisingly, the DeVille is exceptionally roomy and comfortable, and loaded with accommodating features. There are the optional ($995) adaptive seats that electronically conform to the body occupying the seat. For the rear passengers: built-in sunscreens and vanity mirrors.

For the driver, there’s the excellent Stabilitrac system that senses the onset of a hazardous spin and applies one of the front brakes to keep things lined up. There’s also an option, costing $895, that includes a sonic alarm system for reverse that flashes lights and rings gongs if you’re about to back into something.

No discussion of the DeVille can be complete without considering a unique feature: Night Vision. This infrared imaging system detects objects far ahead of the high beams, showing living creatures such as humans, dogs, cats or deer in vivid white silhouette. On a dark road or through a crowded neighborhood, it can provide a critical warning.

The system works by casting a rectangular image reflected on the lower part of the windshield, a “heads up” display that registers in your peripheral vision.

It’s a good system, especially useful for older drivers who may have trouble seeing at night. A $2,000 option, it might seem extravagant until you avoid hitting your first moose. Or child. Watch for the aftermarket version of this system.

The test car also came with the optional (also $2,000) global positioning system, with a video display in the dash. Unfortunately, the test car did not come with a CD for the Phoenix area, so we had no way of checking it out.

The video display also houses the audio-system controls, presenting all kinds of touch-sensitive ways to pick out what you want to hear and how you want to hear it. My passengers and I found it cumbersome and hard to use. Otherwise, the stereo system was just great.

The DeVille was just the craft for a family trip to Prescott, with my two tall boys sprawled out in the commodious back seat. The highway ride is smooth and seamless, and the powerful Northstar V-8 pulled this heavyweight up the long mountain grade beyond Black Canyon City as if it wasn’t even there.

The V-8 in the DTS makes 300 horsepower, though the 275 in the test DHS felt plenty convincing. The DHS ride is soft, but not too much so, and the suspension feels well-controlled, even in harsh maneuvers.

Although the highway cruising was smooth and comfortable, there were two niggling problems with the test Caddy as it reached freeway speed. For one, the hood shimmied and vibrated so much that I pulled off and check ed to m ake sure it was closed all the way. It was.

Also, there was a considerable amount of wind noise around the windows, especially noticeable in the back seat. I don’t know if all DeVilles have these two problems, but I should hope not.

Still, the trip to Prescott felt short and sweet, and we arrived refreshed. The DeVille would be a great cross-country cruiser.

As a $50,000 land yacht, the Cadillac compares fairly well with Mercedes and Lexus, putting an American luxury spin on a world-class ride.

2000 Cadillac DeVille

Vehicle type: Six-passenger, four-door sedan, front-wheel drive.
Base price: $44,700.
Price as tested: $52,140.
Engine: 4.6-liter V-8, 275 hp at 5,600 rpm, 300 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Transmission: 4-speed automatic.
Curb weight: 4,049 pounds.
Wheelbase: 115.4 inches.
EPA mileage: 17 city, 28 highway.
Highs: Luxury features. Worldly image. Night Vision.
Lows: Confusing video display. Hood vibration. Wind roar.