Front-drive Caddies came in coupe and sedan form, with prices starting just under $20,000. Standard engine was the transverse-mounted Cadillac 4.1 liter V-8, with four-speed overdrive automatic. The six-passenger interior sported a new seat trim design, while a closed-in, limousine-style back window was small amber lens and large clear lens. Wide rectangular parking lights were set into the bumper, below the protective gray rub strips. Coupe or Sedan DeVille script identification was at the back of the quarter panels. Wide, bright rocker moldings ran the length of the car.

Coupe DeVille's assist handles moved from front seatbacks to door lock pillars. Door panels and dash sported cherry woodgrain trim. Optional aluminum alloy wheels had new flush hubcaps. Anti-lock braking (ABS) was an important new option that would gradually find its way onto other models in the years ahead. Developed in accord with a German firm (Teves), ABS used sensors at each wheel to determine when one was about to lock. Then, the system would adjust hydraulic pressure to keep it from locking (and possibly skidding). ABS was also offered on Buick Electra and Olds Ninety-Eight this year.

The 4.1 liter V-8 gained a little horsepower, while the 4.3 liter diesel departed. DeVille could have an optional touring package with handling components and "more aggressive, no-nonsense" look. It included gray rocker moldings and front air dam, rear spoiler, recessed foglamps, body-color taillamp bezels, tighter steering ratio (18.4:1), improved spring rates, a solid front stabilizer bar (standard one was hollow), stronger front lower control arm bushings, a much thicker rear stabilizer bar (18 vs. 12 mm) and 15 in. performance tires on aluminum alloy wheels. Gray bumper rub strips had silver accent stripes.

Starting in February 1986, the touring package was upgraded to include bigger exhaust pipe diameter, higher shift point between first and second gear, and 5 more horsepower in the engine. The new ratings were 135 horsepower, and 205 pound-feet of torque at 2300 R.P.M. Available on either coupe or sedan, the Touring package also included color-keyed dual remote-control mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gray leather seats and interior trim-even removable quarter-window louvers (on coupe). A "Touring Coupe" or "Touring Sedan" signature went on back windows. Rather than the whole package, buyers could opt for the Touring Suspension alone: Goodyear Eagle GT blackwall tires on 15 in. aluminum alloy wheels, bigger rear stabilizer bar, tighter shock valving, higher spring/bushing rates, faster steering ratio, and leather-trimmed steering wheel. A newly optional cellular telephone had an overhead microphone, and could operate through the front stereo speakers.