Cadillac deserves kudos for the tasteful use of richly grained zebrano wood in the Seville. The front bucket seats are among the most comfortable we've found in an American luxury car. They are plush, but not overstuffed, with enough lateral support to keep the driver firmly planted when maneuvering the Seville through tight curves, yet the side bolsters are low enough to make getting in and out easy. The front seatbelts are anchored to the seat so they fit more precisely and feel much more comfortable to wear.

Seville offers an optional adaptive seating system that many potential buyers may dismiss out of hand as just another costly gadget. For short commutes and around-town driving, they'd probably be right, but on long drives, the system is comfortable and noticeably less fatiguing. Hidden under the plush leather upholstery are special sensors designed to measure a body's pressure points and then automatically adjust 10 strategically placed air cells in the seat cushion.

The Bose 4.0 sound system is an example of how Seville makes extensive use of computer technology to enhance both driving attributes and creature comforts. It's something audiophiles should consider. It punches out nearly 425 watts of music power through its eight speakers, which include a 12-inch subwoofer. The Bose system is smart enough to automatically adjust volume and tone levels to compensate for changing cabin sound conditions.

For 2000, Cadillac is offering a new navigation system that features a five-inch color display with bright, clear graphics centrally located in the instrument panel. Passengers operate the system by touching the screen and following turn-by-turn instructions or referring to the map; the system is integrated into the Bose 4.0 music system and uses CD-ROM to store mapping information.

Another option worth consideration is GM's OnStar system. OnStar combines cellular technology with a Global Positioning Satellite, or GPS, receiver that constantly tracks the vehicle's position. No additional cellular contract is needed to use the system. Pressing a button connects you to an OnStar service center that can provide directions, call for a tow truck or remotely unlock the doors if you've left the key in the ignition. They can make airline reservations, provide restaurant recommendations, or send flowers for a special occasion. Most important, they will check in on you immediately after an airbag deploys and will summon help to your location if you don't respond.

For 2000, the Seville uses sensors designed to prevent deployment of the front passenger's air bag when the seat is empty or a small child is sitting there. According to Cadillac, this system provides safety benefits to children that cannot be realized with dual-stage or multi-stage inflation systems, which deploy with varying degrees of force depending upon the size of the passenger and the severity of the crash. Cadillac's weight-based sensors and pattern recognition technology can distinguish between a small adult female and a large child strapped into a child safety seat; if it's a small child, whether in a child safety seat or not, the air bag will not deploy. An indicator light on the rearview mirror tells the driver whether the air bag is enabled or suppressed. (Cadillac still recommends the back seat as the safest place for children, but its research indicates that people want, when absolutely necessary, the ability to properly restrain children in the front seat.)