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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  response - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By Fookes - January 2 - 2:00 am

  I would like to know what the problem was with your car "aboalgab". My car does the samething. It was brought into the dealership today. The service rep pressed a couple buttons and pulled the error codes from the computer. All I know is sometimes when the car is started the ABS & Traction light will stay on. When that happens the compass wont work, the heat option wont work for the front seats, the e-brake wont disenguage, the speed sensitive steering gets tight and the climate control malfunctions. This could last 1 sec or 10 min. Then when the lights go out everything works fine. Has this happened to anyone else.

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  2002 escalade 1 year report - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Raymond Malen - January 2 - 2:00 am

  Very good reliability with this vehicle,first year it was back to the dealer only once.Truck is fun to drive and has a tendancy to spoil you, you think all trucks are this good.

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  Princess Caddy - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By JohnRL - December 31 - 2:00 am

  2 years and 20K miles later. I find the styling to be exceptional inside and out. The cars power and handling are also very impressive. My SLS is missing a couple of options I would have ordered if buying new such as memory seats and heated seats. Interior leather quality is superiror. Ride is exceptional but could be a bit softer on the freeway. Problems with part of the steering mechanism which was repaired,the Goodyear tires were trash, and the brake rotors are not wearing evenly which makes for sluggish stops. A few minor rattles have popped up and the leather covering over the seatbelt housings is coming apart. Service department has been OUTSTANDING!

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  Most overlooked sport "import" - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By DTF - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The best used car value available today. Period. Fit, finish, and road feel are on par with very good European sedans. To date, service and reliability have been outstanding (has needed virtually nothing). Relative to other cars that Ive owned (Saab, BMW, and Audi), Id have to say that its not as good as any of them - but very close. On a cost adjusted basis, its the best car Ive ever come across by far. My dealer has commented that the cars are generally excellent, but when they get a lemon its an aweful car. A used car with history is an absolute joy to own and a real bargain.

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  Iffy - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Mike43 - December 25 - 2:00 am

  The day after I bought the car at 43,500 miles the transmission went out. The dealer did fix it, but still lags on a cold start from 1st to 2nd gear. The handling of the car is good and the power is sufficient. The car engine sounds great and the car loves to purr and hum at highway speeds which the Catera thrives on. The car is fun and exciting to drive. I just had the right tie rod replaced and there is a rattle on the left side, the repair place said its fine. I hope it will last 100,000 miles with low maintenance costs????

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  Good try, Cadillac - 1991 Cadillac Allante
  By AllanteLover - December 25 - 2:00 am

  I really like my Caddy. The car has had its problems with the conv. top, but nothing that couldnt be fixed. The only problem I have with the car is the seats. The seats seem a little too stiff for me but I get used to them. This car is a major head turner and their arent a lot out there anymore. Its my baby I never had.

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  catera turbo 2000 - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By john Age - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Apart from tire trouble on rear wheels requiring replacement of 2 within 20000 miles there has been little problem. A recall on the pump system affecting the radiaror has been implemented wihout trouble.

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  Awesome Car! - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Blockhead - December 22 - 2:00 am

  This si the best car ever! I looked at the 2003 navigator and it just looked cheeply made! when i saw the Escalade i was amazed at the quality and the interior was fantastic!

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  A SWEET RIDE!!! - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By GRIZZ2 - December 17 - 2:00 am

  MY BLACKCHERRY STS, WAS PURCHASED WITH 37500 MILES AND CAME WITH THE GOLD PACKAGE, VOGUE GOLD STRIPE TIRES RATED @ 140 MPH. THE NORTHSRAR PULLS HARD ALL THE WAY TO 145 MPH [I RAN OUT OF SPACE IN N.D.] AND THE FRONT END OF THE CAR STILL ROSE WHEN I FLOORED IT AT 145 MPH! THE STS RUNS FLAT @ HIGH SPEEDS AND FEELS VERY STABLE. HOWEVER, DO "NOT" RUN ANYTHING LESS THAN Z RATED TIRES AS THE STEERING IS SO TIGHT THAT MY S RATED TIRES WILL SLIDE 2-5 FEET IN A HIGH SPEED CURVE AND ITLL GIVE YOU A REAL RUSH!! UPDATE YOUR AIR FILTER TO A K&N FILTER AS YOU WILL GAIN 250 RPMS @ SHIFT POINTS AND INCREASE FUEL MILEAGE 2-4 MPG.[I GET 23 MPG @ 75 MPH ON CC. --TRY ONE--

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  bset of the big SUV - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By grl - December 16 - 2:00 am

  I have driven every big SUV out there, and this caddy is the best ride of all. It has plenty of power, and has a very "car like" ride If you are spending north of 50K , you can afford the gas it guzzles