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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  defective a/c units - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By cj soelman - May 23 - 2:00 am

  had 95 deville al a/c camponents rplcd 70000 own now 98 deville a/c went out comp shredded causing condenser drier etc to be replaced 1200 dol in both cases 62ooomi rotors rides good got room nxt vehicle rear wheel drive.replace starter must remove intake manifold not a do it yourself car

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  98 Concourse Deville - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By C - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Impressive ride for such a big car. Lots of power and stable ride really wins me over. Not so good on gas is the only real negative. Sound system is also very good and full of options.

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  Pros and cons - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Sue - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Bought brand new 2001 DHS. Very unhappy with quality of product. Many problems with paint and wind noise is terrible at all four windows. Dealer had car more than I did the first few weeks. Would not recommend this car. We regret not buying a Lexus.

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  Three years in a Caddy - 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By gdominick - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Replaced the starter three times. Replaced egr valve & solenoid. Replaced air pump. Replaced water pump which was leaking on the distributor which was also replaced along with ignition wires, coil, and sparkplug wires. Replaced front and rear shocks along with idler arms & suspension rods.Replaced brakes & pads. Replaced all four tires. Replaced drivers side remote mirror.

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  Grand Dads Caddy - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By jimS - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Seville was definitely THE car for my 94 year old grandfather when he bought it 9 years before he passed on at 103. This car is a bargain. In fact this car is a sleeper. Buy it for a song and sing all the way to the bank. And, it also holds its own at the country club and fancy restaurants. Very dignified. But otherwise, a big step up from buying a new XYZ for much more money. The "mature" drivers put only a very few gentle miles on these babies.

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  Happy Catera Owner - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By morourke - May 8 - 2:00 am

  A good German built Opel nicely dressed and rebadged as a Cadillac. It has very comfortable front and rear seats. Many good standard features: autolevel suspension, traction control, 4 wheel disc / antilock brakes, memory seats and mirrors, fold down rear seats or center (40/20/40), autolights, all windows auto up and down. I think this car is undervalued in the US market.

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  King of The Hill - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By A. Fiorentino - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Cadillac has hit a home run with the 2002 Escalade AWD. 345 ponies & 380lbs of torque, a blast to drive. Quality seems very high and design is exceptional. It seems as if Cadillac has risen to the foreign challenge and blown them away. The Escalade is priced better than the ML, X5, and Range Rover but will outperform them anyday.

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  So, so - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By lidogirl - May 6 - 2:00 am

  At 53", this is the first vehicle that I bought to fit me and not my 62" husband. I find the interior perfectly fitted to my stature. I find it fun to drive it has nice pick up and its great on curves. I am disappointed in the mechanics of the car. It has been in the shop for malfunctioning power seats, CD, and the serpentine belt broke at 30,000 miles, breaks replaced twice, rotars once, and three sets of tires. The Cadillac dealer tells me that the Catera is hard on tires. At 72,000 miles, the car intermittently refuses to start. This is a Cadillac it should not have this type of problem at 72,000 miles, especially when I have had all of the scheduled maintenance!!!

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  Rock The Boat! - 1991 Cadillac Brougham
  By Mik - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Comfort, the big one! Cheap to buy & good resale value when the car is in top shape condition. Very smooth and power is good with the 5.7l V8 engine. Very reliable.

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  Excellent - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By patricia pote - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I have found the Escalade to be one of the best vehicle in style and performance on the market.Other than the gas mileage its a fun vehicle to drive.I just purchased a silver sand 2002 and so far ive enjoyed the ride.I have not driven my vehicle on the highway and hope that when i do it handles the same as city,just better gas mileage.