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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  The Revs Caddy - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By Jack White - January 28 - 2:00 am

  Overall My Cadillac has been a very good car the only thing Ive had to purchase was struts(120,000)miles. The cars are very fast.Ive had my (CONCOURS) up to 138 mph and was still pulling before I took my foot out of it. (The car runs like a scalded dawg)

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  Not so good review - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Don Valk - January 28 - 2:00 am

  Knocking in engine, at times very loud. Had to decarbon engine at 11000 miles. The problem has reoccured. Uses 3 quarts of oil every 2000 miles. Dealer said this is about normal???? I have owned quite a few Cads, never had this engine problem. I feel dealer has not addressed this problem in a serious manner. Other than that the car is fine.

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  What was I thinking? - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By nterneta - January 27 - 2:00 am

  The Catera provided the image but the issues were driving me nuts. The glove compartment pops open if the temp is below 12 degrees. The auto cup holder stick, the ignition key always stick. I had a hollering match with the owners of the dealership over the tire thread damage on the drivers side. They said it was normal wear and tear. Replace a battery, the steering column leakage caused car to lock up and I was stranded for hours waiting for roadside. Error lights are always on. Im taking things very well but today is my last day with it and look forward to something less classy and more fun. PT Cruiser, here I come baby!

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  SOLID, BUT NOT GREAT - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By gilli - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2002 DTS, its a solid performer. Easily the best american car made. A lot of features for the money when compared to foreign cars. I would buy this car again.

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  ergonomics - 2016 Cadillac CT6
  By Bill - January 23 - 12:47 pm

  Vent ducts in dash / front seat area are positioned too low in dash. Air does not circulate into upper areas of front cabin. Very poor circulation. There is no storage area in dash only small console. Cup holders in front console are poorly positioned and too small to hold a coffee mug. Q system is very cumbersome to use. like the large screen Car has beautiful exterior styling. Ours is Passion Red with a silver metallic body pin stripe. A real eye turner. We get lots of complements. It is the quietest car we have ever driven. Very smooth with good handling. Lane control safety feature works really well. This car replaced a 2008 CTS which we liked.

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  Just Great - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Wcol - January 17 - 2:00 am

  I just love this car. On the open road I cant think of another vehicle that can even comes close. Its almost like sitting at home in that big stuffed chair you love so well.

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  Owners review with auto experience. - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Ronnie Coles - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I like mine,I give it 2 big thumbs up. However, I believe that the electric gadgets is to much to go wrong. Its the closest American made car to the C- 5 Vette, in a "4dr" you can get. From the deep floor pans for leg room to the 300hp Northstar its 1st class sport luxury.Brand new mine ran 15.03 @ 96 MPH in the 1/4 mile.I have raced and BEAT many Mustang GTs on the street from a roll-on. With its massive weight its not a trill outta the hole but once you get it moving, HANG-ON!Now that mine is broke-in im certain it would run 14.80s or better.

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  2001 Deville - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By merlt - January 8 - 2:00 am

  My cadillac gets better gas milage than the 2002 Honda Accord that I traded on it!

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  Eldorado for looks and performance - 1992 Cadillac Eldorado
  By P RUSSELL - January 7 - 2:00 am

  One of very few vehicles that just look like it is in motion (57 Chev, 92 and up Eldo) while it is standing still. The previous owner rear-ended a car on the freeway and was fixed at a Cadillac dealer. It looks great for an 11 year old car. It is a real pleasure to drive, being very responsive and handles great. It is a touring coupe. A must-own for me from the first model I saw.

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  Fun Car, But needs more - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By BRice - January 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive w/ its V6, 200hp engine, but its lacking in not having an option to purchase as a manual instead of the dreary automatic tranny.