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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  My First Caddy - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By FRD - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle when I turned 40. I always wanted a Cadillac. Aside from some problems I had because the previous owner did not take care of this car, I just love my CADDY. Its too bad that I have to use only prem. gas (because of the price per gallon). This car have been very good to me. When it comes time to trade up I will be looking for another Cadillac.

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  Vehicle review - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By buckeye - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Pristine vehicle. In family since new.

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  Great Car - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Sebss - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Drive the car everyday, no problems, has more than enough power, looks good inside and out. Great quality

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  hot rod for old motorheads - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By dancingbear - February 24 - 2:00 am

  this is great. the northstar is very powerful.

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  Architectural Masterpiece - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By psdesertrat - February 23 - 3:36 am

  I purchased a AWD auto with all options. Ive owned 20 autos in 30 years. This is the best design and execution of what Ive owned and compared the CTS to. In two months, the CTS has been driven through heavy rain, ice and snow. It handles as well as any 4x4 Ive owned. I traded my STS V8 and never looked back. It is by far the most tactile, entertaining, and visually pleasurable vehicle yet. I drove the A4 and 325 AWDs. In comparison, the CTS controls are the most intuitive. I could not figure out how to turn the BMW/Audi radios off during the test drive! With the CTS as good as it is, we cannot wait for the replacement of our DTS perfomance sedan.

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  Unbelievable - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By tbias - February 19 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the very best cars ever made in my opinion. The engine oil is like in a new car still, after over a hundred thousand miles. Still runs and rides like a new vehicle. Would buy a new caddy just like this if the price was the same as in 90.

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  76K miles later - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By stjohn - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Great car, great GM warranty, no significant trouble with car. In Chicago we have winter at least 4 months out of the year, and as a result, would not even consider a rear wheel drive car. Every time it snows its a joke watching the MB and BMW drivers try to get around (even with traction control and stability systems). Cadillac dealership service is outstanding.

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  LOVE IT - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Larry Haugh - February 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had a Jag XJ6 in 92-94, Lexus ES300, BMW 5 Series and this CTS is by far the most fun and turns the most heads when driving. Great performance and FUN!

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  94 Seville STS - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By alysse - February 17 - 2:00 am

  This isnt my daddys caddie!! What a difference a few years make. The car is a lot of fun to drive and I never get tired of it. Who would know that the car can do 0-60 in 7 by just looking at it. I have never timed it myself, but Im sure its up there. But with the Northstar, altough performance & design are wonderful, be prepared to spend some money when things do go wrong.

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  Perfect SUV - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By CWC - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive had suvs since 1987,and never ever put more then 10000 miles per year on them, as I have two other vehicles. Ive had this 03 since sept. and already have over 10000 miles on it.