Overview & Reviews

In the wake of the energy crisis of the 1970s, bigger was no longer better in terms of American cars. Import brands had risen to the occasion by providing cars that offered luxury in more compact, fuel-efficient packages. Cadillac, long known for its opulent land barges, sensed that a change was in the air, and in 1975, it launched the Cadillac Seville. Marketed as Cadillac's first "internationally sized" vehicle, the Seville was both the automaker's smallest and most expensive sedan.

Though the Seville name first appeared in the late 1950s to denote the coupe version of the Eldorado, it was this smaller Seville that proved to be one of Cadillac's most popular and enduring vehicles.

Over the years, the Cadillac Seville underwent many changes and five generations. Sales numbers dipped in the 1980s due to Cadillac's clumsy foray into the world of diesel engines and assorted quality problems. The Seville made a comeback with its fourth generation in the early '90s. The car was lauded by automotive journalists and consumers alike, and sales figures reflected this enthusiasm. However, like its predecessor, this Seville was ultimately dogged by disappointing build quality.

The curtain closed on the Seville in 2004 when Cadillac replaced it with the STS. As a used luxury sedan, the most recent Seville boasts a strong V8 engine and is well suited for long-distance driving. However, given the car's questionable reliability, one might want to check out the competition before deciding on the Seville.

Most recent Cadillac Seville

Built between 1998 and 2004, the final-generation Cadillac Seville boasted an impressive list of assets. Its engine was potent and smooth, its ride was comfortable and luxury took top billing thanks to its lengthy list of standard features. The Seville also shone in the safety department, with outstanding crash test scores.

Sevilles in this generation came in two trims. Base SLS models offered amenities like full power accessories, leather upholstery, keyless entry, auxiliary steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, dual-zone climate control and a CD player. STS models added features like an upgraded Bose sound system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, foglights and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Both versions also came with stability control and Cadillac's Continuously Variable Road-Sensing Suspension (CVRSS) feature that automatically adjusted the firmness of the dampers to suit road conditions.

A navigation system and rear parking assist became available on all Sevilles in 2000. Minor upgrades were made for 2001, and in 2002 satellite radio became available on all Sevilles, as did a more advanced navigation system with voice recognition and an upgraded Bose audio system. The following year, Cadillac updated the CVRSS and added 17-inch chrome wheels to the STS. For 2004, its final year on the market, the Seville was available only in the base SLS trim.

Cadillac Seville SLS models were powered by a "Northstar" 4.6-liter V8 good for 275 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The Seville STS was motivated by a slightly more powerful version of that engine capable of 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines saw some upgrades in 2000, including quieter operation and improved fuel economy. All models came with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Though enjoyable to drive long distances and packed with features, the Seville had a front-drive layout that did it no favors when it came time for handling potential and sporting image. It also suffered from subpar build quality and reliability. At the time, we wrote that traditional Cadillac buyers will find the Seville comfortable and modern, but traditional European car buyers would deem it too soft and unrefined. Those who prefer a more athletic feel to their sedans will likely find European competitors more to their liking.

Past Cadillac Sevilles

The fourth-generation Seville was built from 1992-'97. Like its successor, it was offered in two trims: base and STS. Standard features on base models included climate control, full power features and an AM/FM/cassette audio system. The STS added goodies like a premium sound system and leather upholstery. Options included heated seats, a power moonroof and a CD player.

This generation underwent a few engine changes over the years. A 4.9-liter V8 good for 200 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque was offered on base models in 1992 and 1993; in 1994, power got a boost, thanks to a new 4.6-liter Northstar V8 offering 270 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Base Sevilles saw another power boost in 1995, when output rose to 275 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. In 1992, SLS models offered the same 4.9-liter as base models; the following year, they were given a Northstar V8 offering 295 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. For 1994, STS Sevilles saw a power increase to 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Other changes were made as well. Both trims got new suspensions in 1993, and ABS and speed-sensitive steering joined the standard features list. The following year, the base model was renamed the SLS and remote keyless entry was added to the standard features list. In 1996, changes included new seats and seat trim, and new sound systems; STS models also got an upgraded instrument panel, rain-sensing wipers, and upgraded suspension and steering. In this generation's final year, STS models gained a new stability enhancement feature and SLS versions got upgraded steering. All 1997 Sevilles benefited from refinements made to the car's body structure, suspension, brake system and interior.

The Seville's third generation was built from 1986-'91. These downsized Sevilles were offered in base and STS trims. The final year of this generation was best, as the 1991 models were powered by a 4.9-liter V8 good for 200 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. Standard features included full power accessories, automatic climate control and an AM/FM/cassette audio system.

For more information on older Cadillac Sevilles, go to our Cadillac STS history page.

User Reviews:

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  The people from government moters should be sued for producing a bucket of junk - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By steve470 - February 2 - 1:51 pm

  I will never buy another Cadillac for as long as I live they are a hunk of junk and the people that make them know it...JUNK

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  Not very welll built - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By Greg - August 30 - 6:23 pm

  I wouldnt buy another Cadillac. My 2002 Seville has been in the shop for 3 major fixes and now that it is no longer under warranty I worry all of the time about the next system failure. Each failure resulted in over a week at the shop and would have cost several thousand dolalrs if not for the warranty.

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  Beautiful Junk - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By juniorbarnes - May 22 - 11:42 pm

  If only the reliability was there, it would be a great car. All of those electronics keep failing and for example, the various computer modules cost $500 and up, and they keep failing, one-by-one. If you set aside three or four thousand a year for repairs, youll be fine. It is fun to drive but I keep thinking of whats going to break next, so I grit my teeth, just trying to make it from one point to the next without the car conking out, and it takes all the fun out of driving it.

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  to many break downs - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By casting223 - January 13 - 2:00 am

  The car was alright for the first 25000 miles. Since then We have had it in the shop 11 times.

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  Garbage - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Joannie - August 10 - 2:00 am

  My service engine light has been on continuously for 3 years. The air conditioning does not work and I have spent thousands of dollars attempting to rectify whatever may be wrong with the electronic system of the car. I was told by one mechanic, "There were problems with the computer systems of the 1996 Cadillacs but your car is not under warranty."

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  Seville Woes - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By heagil - May 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned 2 Cadillacs so far, and they were absolutely wonderful Automobiles until they hit 70,000 miles, both vehicles disintegrated before my eyes. I have paid more in repairs for the Seville than I paid for it in the first place. In the last year I have had to replace the transmission, water pump, shocks and struts, power window motor, front brake calipers and rotors.

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  NO MORE GM - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By NO MORE GM - November 13 - 2:00 am

  POOR QUALITY FOR THE PRICE. HAVE REPLACED FUEL PUMP, ENGINE MOUNTS AND THE BODY MOLDING IS FALLING OFF.

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  CADILLAC STS 97 - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By mcGOO - November 3 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR LEFT ME STRANDED 4 TIMES. OIL LEAKED OUT COMPLETELY. ALWAYS GET EXTENDED WARRANTY YOULL NEED IT NO LEES TAN EVERY 3 MONTHS. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR, I ASKED DEALER TO BUY IT BACK AND THEY OFFERED ME HALF THE MARKET VALUE! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CADILLAC!

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  Car Fax? - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By stlphil - May 5 - 2:00 am

  I checked this vehicle on Car Fax. Paid the 19.99 fee. Clear title reported, no problems reported. This car has mechanical problems out the wazoo. Only 25,000 miles on the car. The ABS doesnt work, the steering is sloppy, the accelaration is erratic. The console wood has been re-painted. This car is dangerous to drive. Be cautious of a Car Fax check. I dont think anyone would buy this car that was Cadillac Certified and Car Fax certified.

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  STS 2000 - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Rhale - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Have had several problems with car one of which had to contact customer relations after waiting several months to see zone rep. there was no sound dampening material in the roof of car at all, sounded like I was riding in a steel drum when it rained, car not of quality paid for.