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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  2005 Cadillac Escalade AWD - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By KEC - December 29 - 1:51 pm

  I was surprised that my 2005 Cadillac Escalade vehicle did not have a power rear door to assist with opening and closing. Also, the low tire pressure warning lamp does not indicate which tire is low. I found this to be a neat feature on my previous vehichle, a 2002 Cadillac STS. I also think that additional interior colors should be made available.

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  2002 Cadillac Escalade AWD - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Transporter - December 28 - 2:50 am

  I gave up my BMW 740is which is a great car, but my 2002 Cadillac Escalade AWD is a blast to drive, powerful, rugged, safe, and has great road vision. Im impressed with the fuel mileage. Dont get me wrong, this is no Honda, but to think I can haul 7-8 people at 17-18 MPG on the freeway, which is not to bad.

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  Excellant Starter car - 1991 Cadillac Deville
  By Cadillac Jack - December 27 - 12:04 pm

  My 1991 Cadillac DeVille is the second car I ever purchased. After a nightmareish year with a 1992 Ford Escort LXE, I absolutely fell in love with this car. This was the first car I seriously looked at and eventually bought when I started looking again. Its comfortable, fast, and most of all, its reliable. It is a very good car, especially for those of you who are looking for a good starter vehicle for little money.

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  Great car - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By freddy - December 25 - 3:27 pm

  Purchased my 2000 Cadillac DeVille with 2,000 miles on it. I had a Lincoln Town Car. The DeVille handles better and has better acceleration. It gets good gas mileage. the sun visor too low for tall people though. GMs engineers have changed this for 2001. I have not experienced any major problems with this car. The check engine light came on once. It was repaired with no problems at the dealer. The Cadillac DeVeille comes witrh a good warranty. The Northstar engine usees minimal oil every 2,000 - 3,000 miles. Just add a quart and keep driving. the front windshield had an airleak which made noise, but this was repaired by my dealer at 3,000 miles and is now OK. This cars windshield is known to be poorly sealed at factory.

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  The Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By PAK - December 24 - 5:39 pm

  The 1998 Cadillac Eldorado is the greatest car that I have ever owned. I have had three Mercedes-Benzes and they dont even compair with my Cadillac Eldorado. Not only is is a more comfortable car, but it is faster and more fun to drive. I get almost 25 MPG on the highway and an even 20 MPG in town driving all day long.

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  cts - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By rwb - December 24 - 10:00 am

  drove 5 lincolns on same day bought cts car is actually for wife. she fell in love with car after first drive. after owning ford products all our lives we now drive a cts

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  Great car! - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By Swami - December 24 - 12:42 am

  I love my 1990 Cadillac DeVille in just about every way. I bought it in 2002 with 55,000 miles on it, and have had little or no trouble with it, until recently. I put a third new battery in it yesterday...the third one in eleven months. Ive taken it to two different mechanics, and they cant explain why the batteries are going bad on me. Since I have two small children, I may have to sell it since I need something reliable. I love the car in every way, with the exception of the recent reliability problems.

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  The last of the "real" Cadillacs - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By cadillacmike - December 23 - 5:13 am

  I had a Black 1970 Fleetwood Brougham while in college-early 80s. It had a 133" WB, 228" LOA, rear footrests, reading lights, etc. But it was a New England rust bucket, so I moved away from Cadillacs. In January 2000, I needed a better tow vehicle, and so started looking for a Fleetwood or Roadmaster. I found both and decided to get a Fleetwood, because it looked better! I found a black Brougham-deja vu! It has every option except the sunroof (the rear lighted vanity morrors are more cool and I have two Cadillac convertibles anyway) and it has the CD player. I put 16,000 miles a year on it with no major suprises. The factory chrome wheels shine & the paint held up well. The engine is still silent & strong.

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  GOOD - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By GEORGE - December 22 - 4:42 pm

  THIS IS A QUIET AND COMFORTABLE CAR THE FRONT SEAT COULD USE A BETTER DESIGN WOULD BE BETTER IF THE SEAT BACK WAS FIXED TO THE SEAT...

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  SRX V6 BY LEAHY - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By ROBERT T. LEAHY - December 22 - 6:02 am

  THIS SRX HANDLES LIKE A FINE CAR,BUT IS HIGH ENOUGH ABOVE TRAFFIC TO ENABLE DEFENSIVE DRIVING,WHICH IS IMPORTANT IN FLORIDA. THE V6 IS RESPONSIVE AND THE BRAKING IS SECOND TO NONE. I RECEIVE COMPLIMENTS ABOUT THE GOOD LOOKS OF THIS DARK BLUE BEAUTY ON A DAILY BASIS.