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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  Better than the new one - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By mattjames24 - December 28 - 3:00 pm

  Purchased as a demo fully loaded (minus the navigation system and V8) and absolutely love the car. The magnetic ride control gives the car a performance/handling on par with BMW. The moonroof is great, especially when open on the long drive home from work. The only downside was the high cost of brake work after the service department failed to notice the wear. But all in all a great car and much better than the cheap, underpowered one released 2010. on the long drive home from work.

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  great purchase - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By nsosure - December 12 - 12:01 am

  I bought this car with 78 thousand miles on it. Everything is working great on it and it rides smooth. It has the power to get up and go in a seconds notice. I didnt realize how big it really was till I sat in the backseat. Smooth Cadillac ride and lots of power. Gas mileage is pretty decent, better than I expected. My mom owns a 2006 impala and the deville has all the features the impala does and more even being as old as it is. No regrets buying this car. I plan to buy another.

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  Vehicle Hesitation - 2010 Cadillac CTS
  By Anonymous - December 8 - 2:00 am

  At slow speed especially when engine is cold the engine skipps and the transmission shifts eradically. The engine also hesitates at high speed when accelerating to pass other vehicles creating an unsafe situation.

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  A Positive Review of Cad DHS - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:28 am

  Overall its been a fantastic machine. Very easy to drive,comfortable and smooth. Only thing that has broken three times were the window racks that hold the glass panels. Replaced under warranty but still, shouldnt be that fragile or poorly engineered. The gas mileage is unbelievable(18 city/26 hwy) for a car that size. This car will last me a long time and gives me great pleasure in owning and driving.

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  A V8 Gem - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:19 am

  This car has been extremely reliable and has required minimum maintenance over the years. MPG on the highway is still 25-26 driving the speed limit of 70 mph. Great car that Im counting on reaching 250,000 miles using Mobil 1 5W30 motor oil and changing it every 3000 miles.

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  Poor Quality - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:07 am

  This is my fourth Cadillac and my last.I purchased this car with 18000 miles on it.Tire air pressure sensors have gone bad 5 times.Engine had to be rebuilt at 40000 miles(under warranty) Water got in computer area at 50000 miles at a cost of $3000( NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY)3 Motor mounts broke at different timesTransmission bad at 90000 miles at cost of $2700Navigation system replaced around 30000( under warranty)Had other problems.

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  Great Car - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:06 am

  One of the best and most fun to drive car I have ever owned, neck snapping performance and sports car handling. The style is beautiful mine is all black inside and outside, real classy car.

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  Maybe it is just Me? - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By George - November 29 - 2:00 am

  Love Cadillac, always was my Favorite car. Now I will Not Buy Another one. Maybe it is just me? Maybe I Bought a Lemon From this dealer? It always starts on me. but I have had Major Radiator problems and lots of engine problems been to Dealer 5 Times. Front Shocks also Broken Just keep spending crazy Money..

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  1 great deal - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By CAD-FRESH 1 - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Just bought it, dealer put new axles, end links, and brakes. Only things I had to do at 117k was battery and catalytic converter. Still has stock everything. Interior is mint! Just needs a radio. My third caddy and I love this one the best!

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  Beware the North*Star - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By MrCadillacness - November 25 - 2:00 am

  Theres nothing quite like a drive in a Cadillac. The exterior is unique and the interior is spacious. It certainly turns heads especially being 25 and owning one for pleasure driving. 4.6L engine with 300 horses that begs to be unleashed out on the open road.