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:

• 

  Reliabilty unsurpassed - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By Mark - April 19 - 11:43 pm

  I inherited this car when my sweet mom passed on. I never worried about her when she was in this car and thats a good feeling.The only car I ever new this reliable I still have.My 59 super88 oldsmobile.Those however are hard to come by today but you can find a 90 Caddy at a good price and if you take care of it it will take care of you and it will do it inexpensively.They are so much fun to drive also.You`ll never go back to a little car if thats what you have now..Use premium fuel,it`s overall cheaper and I bet you`ll be driving it still, maybe even when it`s 50years old...

• 

  Money Pit - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Mike M - April 18 - 8:42 pm

  Bought this car used with 20,000 miles on it. Loved the looks and it was my first experience with a Cadillac. After the first two weeks the car wouldnt start and to have two starting sensors replaced. Then the tilt steering went bad, with those two items being covered by warranty. It was downhill from there. Have spent over $8,000 on car repairs in 5 years, not counting the potential cost for replacing a blown head gasket because I just traded it today. It has been by far the worst car I have ever owned...and oh yes, the car would shift into neutral when I drove it through water puddles when it would rain. I have a friend who is a cadillac mechanic and he couldnt figure it out.

• 

  Great Cadillac - Back On Top - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Dhparki1 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  My SRX V-8 AWD was delivered in early December - the vehicle is flawless - outstanding performance - great ride and interior appointments are better than the BMW vehicles I have had in the past - this vehicle is proof that Cadillac is once again back on top and ahead of the competition - so lomg BMW, Audi and Mercedes - I am going with Cadillac from now on.

• 

  lovin the truck - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By johnntownsend - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Lots of room, lots of power(345 horses), lots of features XM, cd and cassette players, phone via GPS, Onstar, well tailored interior and an INFRARED exterior a great looker all around and a little pricey but worth it!

• 

  THIS IS THE BEST CAR - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Go Boston!!! - April 16 - 6:19 pm

  I bought this car in November 1998. It has 66000 miles on it. It also includes the 50th anniversary edition package. This package includes white diamond paint, elegant chrome wheels and sewn in 50th anniversary in the seats. This car is a fully loaded vehicle even if you buy it standard. Most have heated seats, lumbar support, and massagers.

• 

  Great used car for the $$$ - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By SeminoleCadi - April 15 - 5:27 pm

  AWD transmission could be smoother. Has some interior noises at 48k miles. Bose system is grreat!

• 

  I love this machine!!! - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By CTS4ME - April 15 - 3:35 pm

  Ive owned the 05 and newer Accords and Camrys and the CTS is a far better vehicle for the money. It is a beautiful car and not just another "SEDAN". Its sporty and I love it. Not a single problem. Father in-law owns a 2006 and has never had any trouble. So, I decided it was my turn to have one.

• 

  great change of direction for Cadillac - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Rowley32256 - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Even better to drive than to look at - very comfortable but like a BMW to drive. Only two grumbles: quite a big blind spot caused by rear pillars and the glove box is ridiculously small.

• 

  Dream Ride - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By JJones - April 14 - 8:48 pm

  I have owned this car almost 9 years and it has been a great car to drive. At 62,000 miles new head gasket, transm. 70,000, other then that no problems. Other then usual wear and tear. Vehicle is clean, gets 18 miles in town, & around 28 on the HW. Everything works fine. Vogue tires with 6/32 on front and 7/32 on rear tires. Driven mostly on HW, Paint has great glow, garage kept, and had paint protection done first 5 years. Most driving done with other car in the city.

• 

  awesome car - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By steven v - April 14 - 1:23 am

  I purchase a 1994 eldorado from a auction in jan. 2009, in the 3 months since I have had no problems at all with this car. It is absolutely gorgeous inside and out, black with beige leather interior, power everything, and I still cant believe that its a 15 year old car. The prior owner or owners really babied this car and it shows. It rides so smooth and quiet, its like flying. And the best part about it is I only paid $400 for it.