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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  Great Car, Even With The Broken Parts - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Allen - May 8 - 5:47 pm

  There are a lot of problems with this car, but I attribute this to the high mileage. It has over 180,000 miles. Although the ABS is broken, Traction Control is broken, AC/Heat in drivers vents is broken, trunk leaks, rear cig lighter is gone, burns oil, the covers for the rear turn signals fell off (in the car wash), trunk popper is broken, I still LOVE this car. I love the sound system. I love the ability to overtake most anything on the road. It is very comfortable. I love how it can take unleaded fuel (thank God for that). When people say how "so much stuff is broken", I say it just has a personality.

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  2000 Cadillac Seville SLS - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By H.C. Stanley, Jr. - April 26 - 6:12 pm

  Great car, fun to drive around town and on long trips. Around 30 mpg on open road. Luxury and class in one ride.

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  Personal impressions - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By Joe - March 30 - 12:45 pm

  Considering overall cost and quality of the vehicle, I cant help but feel it more than holds its own in the luxury class of vehicles priced below $50k.

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  1994 cadillac sts - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By walter van horn - March 23 - 9:08 pm

  purchased car with 94,000 miles, now have 116,000 did normal services, tires, brakes,cooling system, repaired wires that shorted out going to fuel injectors. Car runs well gets 17 to 26 miles a gallon. Bose stereo is great, handles well, ac compressor went out have to be replaced. car is driven to work 25 miles a day but performs well on the road at 70 to 75 mph

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  Cadillac for luxury and performance - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By Buy American - March 23 - 5:01 pm

  This SLS is my 3rd Cadillac, and by far the best car Ive owned. Ride comfort on long trips is unsurpassed, as is fuel economy for a car this size. The Northstar engine is really amazing in that it has incredible power, yet gets 30 mpg on the highway. Around town it is nimble while soaking up rough pavement in stride. Cadillac has a proven winner with this generation Seville with reliability of a Swiss watch. Or should I call it the Rolex of cars.

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  ED39206 - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By ED39206 - March 20 - 4:47 pm

  My mother bought this vehicle after my dad died in 99. Thank God for warranties. When it ran out, let the fun begin. They use cheap quality parts and is not equal to the price you pay. Last night, March 20, 2008, the bolts and lug nuts broke off the front tire, leaving only one to hold the tire on, the other one that was on was loose. Today they tell me the hub assembly for the opposite wheel needs to be replaced. WHAT! This car only has 60,000 miles!!! Not to mention the oil leak that was reported back in December 07. That will cost about $6,000. The price you pay for a cadillac is not worth the value.

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  Caddy-lac - 1992 Cadillac Seville
  By Gangster - March 20 - 1:03 pm

  This (was) a pretty great car. I sold mine 2 years ago because it had 175k miles on it. It still ran but was near the end of its life. Even at the end, this car cruised along surface streets and highways a like, in a smooth, comfortable manner. I had problems with the thermostat and subsequent overheating problems. But other than that, there were never any serious problems. The V-8 could really get up and go, especially considering the weight of the car, and even got 25+ mpg on the highway. Very impressive. Handling past 90mph became worrisome as the car began to sway. But this car was never meant for out running cops, it was meant for cruising in comfort, and it did that very well.

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  Unbelievable Quality - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By Caddy - March 17 - 4:28 pm

  I bought this car new! I formally had an Acura Legend. This car has been more reliable than the Acura, nicer to drive and has only had to have a water pump in the first 100,000 miles. My mechanic tells me that the engine should be good to 300,000 miles. My cadillac dealer has been awesome. I would buy another.

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  94 STS - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By matt - March 14 - 6:41 am

  i am a proud owner of a 1994 Seville sts. this car drives and rides like a dream i purchased this car for a very good price the only problem is , i spent more on repairs than i paid for the car. dont get me wrong i love this car but the very sensitive Northstar engine demands maintenance. failure to do so will result in very expensive repairs

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  Great Cadillac stop holds up to the best - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By Dave - March 11 - 2:57 am

  I bought this car 8 months ago not knowing much about the Cadillac family very much. I was obviously worried about that curse used Cadillacs seem to carry with them with a high rate of unreliability but iwas wrong. I kept good tabs on this baby and she has never failed me with a breakdown or faulty light not once. The only problem I had was the water pump froze and ended up getting a small crack but I still believe that was due to the consecutive 5 degree days (and sub zero) nights up in the northshore. I love the cockpit and have had no complaints of leg room. Very powerful when it needs and refined.