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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  My first caddy - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By Brenda Lou - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I am a first time cadillac person. Have only had it for a couple of months, but am enjoying the ride. No mechanical problems so far. I dont feel qualified to rate the quality or the reliability yet.

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  Good car for the value - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By redeldo - May 12 - 2:00 am

  1st Cadillac ever owned and it has been a very good car. Lots of comments about how good it looks. Dont know if it was worth sticker price new but I feel it was a good value at the used price. Rides like a caddy should.

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  Like it - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By TAT - May 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car new. Love the V8, it has impresive passing power. I drive across the country each spring and am comfortable even on 10 hr. runs. Running at 80 MPH I get 25 MPG, great for a large car.

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  2001 SLS - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By tomt45 - May 6 - 2:00 am

  No major problems once the Goodyear tires were replaced by the dealer at no charge.

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  big - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By boulderr - May 1 - 2:00 am

  the ride not quite as smooth as a sedan which i hoped for but adequate...overall fun to own and drive...

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  Was a great car - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Mhoebener - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Our car only went in the shop under warrenty and once for the timing belt to be replaced after warrenty and they did that free. I say this was great because my wife has since totaled it.She ran a red light and although the car is now trash she was unhurt. This is one tough car. There were things about the car I did not like ex. disposable rotors eeek and the cost of the tires. But all and all this is one safe car.

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  The comfort car of the year - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Tony Evans - April 28 - 2:00 am

  This car is by far the most comfortable riding vehicle I have been in. Im a 63" 200+ lbs guy and have always been uncomfortable in a car, especially in the backseat. After buying a Deville and driving it 14 hours to my house, then riding for 2 hours in the backseat, Im convinced this is the only way to travel. The car seperates you from the harsh commuter environment and is a pleasure to drive.

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  Smart Buy - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By rkelon - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Excellent truck, appears to have excellent build quality, rides alot like a German vehicle. Tight steering, minimum noise, we like to drive it. Could use more real wood and less plastic wood. Very good job Cadillac, vehicles like this will restore the Cadillac prestige! I hope service is included...need to ask the sales person.

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  Fun and Reliable Car! - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By andy9483 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Have owned Cadillac before, but first time in a smaller model. Am definitely impressed by the great handling, ride, performance, and reliability of this car. In two years, have only had one warranty repair of a radiator hose. Body styling is a bit non-distinctive, but good looking none the less.

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  The whole Picture - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By DHS - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I have read the reviews above and could actually in a lot of way agree with each and everyone of them. But now its my turn to defend one of Americas last Icons. This car isnt a Lexus its a cadillac with its own merits, still a good ride on the highway, very comfortable. Thats why people drive these cars great highway monsters. As far as dependablity goes I have never had any problems. Now as far as Lexus goes there service drives are very busy so if they are all that why are they always in the shop????????