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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  Be careful of oil usage - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Smendrick - April 18 - 2:00 am

  Exceptional performance and handling, but the Northstar engine is a pig when it comes to oil consumption. Be aware that the fix is more than the car is worth.

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  Too Many Defects - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Becketave - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I have owned a 94 and a 97 Concours (now the DTS), and this 01 is much better in handling and comfort. BUT, there have been too many defects. Had to replace entire engine wiring harness (took a week), steering rack, chip controlling the steering feedback to Stabilitrac system, heated seat wiring in front (burned out), seat belt tensioners - plus a few other build problems. Gas mileage in city about 14.5 - hgwy about 22, but a real joy to drive, especially on treacherous country backroads. Unless Cadillac (& all GM) get on the backs of their suppliers to improve quality control, they will never compete with the imports- class for class-.

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  Not as good as I expected - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Ha Ha - April 4 - 2:00 am

  This one was from fleet, I got it after 29,000 miles driven fro about $25k. Well, very fun to drive and no complain about the performance and comfortablness, plus a good image. Problems started with loose glass part on left-front side, service engine signal turns on for no particular reason, and a recall so for firing re-programming. Though still under warranty, but, would be long. I have to drive as less as possible to control the milage under 40,000. The Cady Could be better than what I have gotten.

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  Very poor quality engine for the cost - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By Larry - March 29 - 2:00 am

  My car now has 67,000 miles and i now have the third raditor, second alternator, and the engine has been pulled twice for blown head gasket. I am a Bank official, and love the car but the northstar engine is not worth the money. The interior and the exterior are great and its a comfortable car to drive, but the engine gets a rating of 0. Dealership tells me its the aluminum block engine that is not strong enough to hold the head bolts without stripping out.

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  91 deville - 1991 Cadillac Deville
  By mike frunzi - March 20 - 2:00 am

  runs great, looks great

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  If this is the best . . . . . - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By HI TEST - March 14 - 2:00 am

  I have had to: replace the pull-down trunk module re-hang the rear view mirror 3 times tune ups at 65,000 and at 108,000 replace the alternator repair the rediator (needs it again) side molding has fallen off transmission vibrates between 43 and 48 MPH burns oil the service ride system warning light always comes on, but the dealer says there is no problem similar problems with my 1989 De Ville.

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  Will it ever stop breaking ??? - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By mcgyver64 - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my DTS for 7-1/2 months now and although its alot of fun to drive and very comfortable the reliability has been horrible. It has been back to the dealer for 9 different warranty issues and 1 recall so far. Everything from suspension problems to moon roof leaking. The dealer is taking care of the problems as they arise but things are breaking faster than they can fix them. GM needs to go back to the drawing board on this one. Theres more to it than glitz and glitter.

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  first g.m. product - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By hmh636 - February 25 - 2:00 am

  i have a 2001 dts with 15000 miles. the ride is super smooth and very quiet. this car has a great motor,27 miles on the highway,16 city,and on reg.gas! onstar and ultrasonic rear parking assist should be standard in every car sold in usa.

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  I still love this car - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By PowerChick - February 24 - 2:00 am

  It is fun and comfortable to drive. In sport mode it has plenty of power. The leather seating and sound controls on the steering make this a wonder commute car.

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  Dies when cornering - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By Carol - February 21 - 2:00 am

  I have a 99 STS. I love this car but have had some trouble with it. Noise on left side in engine area when turning left (was fixed). Tray under drivers seat came loose several times. Heater in drivers side had to be replaced. The car dies when corning or slowing down. It has had Super Tune up and crank sensor replaced. Cadillac has been called they know of the problem but dont know how to fix it.