Overview & Reviews

Owned by General Motors, Cadillac is America's most prestigious domestic luxury automaker. For most of its existence, the company was known exclusively for its cushy, senior-friendly sedans, but in more recent years the automaker has revised and expanded its lineup in a successful effort to attract a new, younger generation. Cadillac's roster now includes SUVs (its Escalade is a favorite of both rappers and suburban moms), a crossover and even a high-performance wagon.

Born in 1902, Cadillac was founded by Henry Martyn Leland, a manufacturer of automotive components. He named the company after a noted French explorer who discovered Detroit in the early 1700s. Leland helped create one of the company's earliest offerings -- the Cadillac Osceola, noted for being the industry's first concept car and the first closed-body car made in America. Only one Osceola was made, but it helped spark a trend; closed bodies caught on and spread like wildfire through the industry.

Cadillac quickly gained a reputation for specializing in precise craftsmanship and for using standardized parts. The success of early Cadillacs like the Model A and the "30" made the brand a sales success, so much so that the automaker was purchased by General Motors in 1909. The marque became GM's luxury division, and its list of innovations grew. Cadillac was the first U.S. auto manufacturer to produce a V8, the first to use thermostatic control of a cooling system and the first to offer dash-controlled headlights. During the 1930s, the brand earned a strong reputation for producing powerful and smooth V12 and V16 engines.

Soon after World War II, Cadillac history hit a high point as its tailfinned and chrome-laden cars became the epitome of American postwar automotive style. Cadillac's tailfin took its cue from Lockheed's P38 Lightning Aircraft, and was the brainchild of designer Frank Hershey. Vehicles like the Coupe de Ville and Fleetwood El Dorado made Cadillac a staple in upscale neighborhoods and among the Hollywood set.

By the 1960s, Cadillac's flashy tailfins had given way to a new styling cue: vertical taillights. This attribute was in evidence on one of Cadillac's most successful new cars of that decade, the Fleetwood Sixty Special. The Fleetwood offered luxury features that were cutting-edge for its day, such as fold-down writing tables, footrests and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.

The gas crunch of the 1970s, however, started a downward trend for the company. Cadillac's Titanic-sized behemoths that ruled the highways in previous decades were increasingly out of touch and out of favor. Cadillac responded to the changing times by downscaling the dimensions of many vehicles in its lineup. Despite this smart maneuvering, the automaker's fortunes suffered in the late '70s when it unveiled a diesel engine that quickly earned a reputation for spotty performance.

The 1980s saw the redesign of the Seville, a vehicle whose unique bustle-back styling sparked a trend and inspired its share of imitators. That decade also witnessed the rollout of the Cimarron, a small car that was essentially a rebadged Chevy Cavalier, the latter an economy car not exactly known for excellence. Understandably, the Cimarron never caught on with the public. Things got worse when Cadillac launched a series of underpowered, unreliable V8s during the first half of that decade that, along with the notoriously unreliable diesel, cost the automaker thousands of customers, millions of dollars and immeasurable damage to its reputation.

By the early '90s, Cadillac started a major turnaround as it brought out redesigned, stylish models with vastly improved engines. Shortly after the new millennium bowed, the company adopted its "Art & Science" design philosophy. With styling cues that included sharp, almost severe lines and stacked headlamps, Art & Science was first seen on Cadillac's 1999 Evoq concept roadster. By the mid-2000s, this bold new look had reinvigorated the company's sales, and was seen on hits such as the Escalade SUV and the CTS sport sedan.

This fresh styling, coupled with improvements in performance and overall product quality, has done a great deal to help Cadillac recover much of its previous status. Today's Cadillacs, which include coupes, sedans, crossovers and SUVs, are known for offering powerful engines, chiseled lines, sharp handling and a full accoutrement of luxury features.

User Reviews:

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  wonderful experience - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By binho - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought this dirty Devill at 107.2K miles. After replacing battery, changing transmission fluid, rear brake, it runs very well. One thing I really want to know is its MAX MPG. It can be more than 26. I have proved 27(highway speed over 70) and 30 (county road, avg speed 50, east bound, no A/C, outside temp 70s, no cruise control). It can turn big angle easily and softly.

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  so far so nice - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By mikeg1 - June 21 - 2:00 am

  Hi: Only drove the car 3000 miles and the new york streets are trying hard to age the car quickly. I think that you get alot for your mony and would recommend this car to anyone who prefers a large solid feel car (definitly over the town car) but wish the fit and finish were better.

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  American Flagship? - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By johnpetes - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Great engine, transmission, and heating and A/C, then GM has always done that well. Poor fit and finish, part of dash separating, back of drivers seat has always been loose, under seat tray never has worked. Too many major things gone wrong in 50 K miles. Power seat replaced, front struts replaced, electrical problems, poor braking. Handled under warranty but VERY expensive. Scared to death that Ill have to eat one of these whopper bills before the lease is up. If Id gotten a 99 Lexus LS400 (the price was the same)its tradein value would be many thousands higher than the STS. Would not buy again!

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  Great Luxury TRUCK - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By 31 Vette - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Cadillac has done wonders with a "heavy half ton truck". Despite all of its power and luxury items, it is still a truck. I knew I wasnt buying a DeVille, but the ride and handling are great for this size vehicle. I have been a Suburban owner for many years and now have found a great vehicle to haul big things and people in style. I dont plan on screwing up the ride, handling or looks by putting on those stupid looking 20" wheels. I can think of 100 better things to do with that $6000. The looks are great,it makes the Avalanch look like it was exposed to nuclear fallout.

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  1995 Eldorado - 1995 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Rudy - June 5 - 2:00 am

  The design of the 1995 Eldorado is beautiful and perfect. The interior though, including the trunk, leaves much to be desired. The interior seems poorly designed. There are no bins or little areas to stash road maps and such. Mechanically, the Cadillac is designed wery well and the Northstar Engine seems perfect, except that is uses more oil than any car I have ever owned. When accellerating at full power, if the steering wheel is not exactly straight, the steering wheel will be jerked straight and the car will be zig zagging for a while until it finds an equilibrium. Fuel mileage is very good for this type car.

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  Almost a dream car - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Alivox - June 3 - 2:00 am

  this car is incredible, the styling is chocking, amazing for a traditional company like Cadillac...

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  95 Deville - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By pgdrews - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Overall, a very nice comfy automobile. Great family car. My wife loves it. People think that it looks expensive, yet even though new, it was $36,000+, we only paid normal retail of $7000+ 8 years later. Still feels, looks, and smells like new!

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  Its Big and It"s Fast - 1994 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By stillwell - May 23 - 2:00 am

  Im 60+. Ive owned a bunch of crs, some have been kinda special, [ 65 corvair corsa,terbo] {69 MGC/GT] [74 Jag XJ12L]. Overall this is the best.

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  Insights on Touring Coupe - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By spindoctor - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Have black. Beautiful car when clean. Turns heads. Fun to drive. Worried about reliability however. Had to install $700 radiator, and using quart of oil every 1000-1500 miles.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By jtdamask - May 18 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the best car I have ever owned. Incredible comfort. This is the car you want for those long road trips cross-country. It just gets stronger as you let it stretch its legs. It has been very reliable and an absolute pleasure to own and drive.