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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  This is a True Beast - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By hodrod guy - August 10 - 11:01 am

  I just got this puppy in May of this year...so far so good. Its funny how I ended up in this car being that I was looking at a 91 Corvette and a 2003 Mustang GT. Not to mention I was getting out of a 1999 Trans Am...needless to say Im into fast, agressive cars, but my main goal this time around was to get the most bang for my buck and the Cadillac SLS beat them out. Its really fast and solid as a rock. I love the way the back end of the car looks, but the front end is the only thing Id change. It is just a little farty. I tend to forget that when I get behind the wheel and hit high speeds in no time while feeling like Im sitting on the couch in my living room. I recommend this car for anyone who grew up as a gear head. Im 25 years old.

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  The Most Car for the Money - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Mark Moran - August 10 - 8:01 am

  The car rides somewhere between a Lexus and a BMW. It is firm and responsive, especially in sport driving mode (or manual shifting) with the performance transmission setting. It really zips along.

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  I might look like a granny...but - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By krissyburke - August 6 - 6:33 pm

  I love this car, it is so smooth. The other day we had huge amounts of stream line winds, you couldnt even feel them in this car let alone hear them! The only problem I have is, sometimes I feel more like a granny driving this car, when all of my friends have their sporty mom vehicles. I am still only 27 and not quite ready to fully give up my youth just yet. However, with hopefully a third baby on the way this car was really the way to go for us. So, I might look like a granny in this car at times,...but I still love it!

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  Good car ....BUT! - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By James - August 6 - 2:39 pm

  In general Im satisfied with my DeVille, which now has 220,000 miles on it. You have to be willing to pay the price however. Repairs for this car have been frequent and costly. I have replaced everything but the engine and transmission. Were going for the second time around for the compressor/evaporator. As I say, nice car, but you need to have money to repair it. The car has been garaged most of the years that I have owned it.

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  You need to drive one - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Ron - August 5 - 11:20 pm

  The vehicles performance is very smooth and fast. It handles well and make close turns. My sister said it turns make a Volkswagen.

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  A Mixed Bag... - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Jon v - August 5 - 7:04 pm

  I bought this car two years ago with 66,700 miles on it. The Catera had plenty of power and was very fun to drive. Now at 90,000 miles, it has low compression and is definitely tired. I replaced the a/c compressor last summer, and the a/c is not working now again. I also have had to replace several front suspension parts. The biggest problem has been that the airbox (interior air) is located directly under the windshield and floods in rain when its drain plug clogs. The result: the passenger side interior floods with water! Overall though, the car has not broken down anywhere and has been pretty good. When its right, its very pleasurable to drive. It is so quiet, too!

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  Out to Pasture - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By SadCatera Owner - August 5 - 2:20 pm

  When I got my 2002 Catera it only had 36,000 miles. Lets see, it needed a new valve cover gasket to the tune of $1,100, and oil cooler for $850, a heater control valve for $250, three batteries at $65 each, and a radiator for $450. Now I have a blown head gasket...I am not fixing it any more. This puppy will go to pasture. Avoid this car at all cost. When running right, it was nice...but that wasnt very often.

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  03 STS - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By Steven Jerome - August 5 - 12:07 pm

  This is my third STS and by far the best. I also had a 96 and a 98. This cars beautiful lines and aggressive wheels and tires make a great first impression. Mine has every option except navigation. It is very smooth, luxurious, and classy. Its much better than the Mercedes E430 that I traded in in every aspect. I am extremely satisfid with this car.

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  CTS review - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By greg - August 4 - 3:21 pm

  I love my Cadillac CST. It has great looks, is comfortable for long drives., and delivers great performance.

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  I love it! - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Sannddee - August 3 - 2:42 pm

  This is by far, the nicest car Ive ever owned. Its stylish, sporty, has a great paint job "white diamond", beautiful leather and wood grain interior, handles like a charm. I will buy Cadillacs forever.