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 Wood Would Be Good - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By MrRoadRage187 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought my STS in Nov. Super smooth ride , I will only buy a car with a V8 engine or larger...I like the 300HP ....The way it handles is great...(got me out of more then one sticky situtation)...But cornering could be better.....I like it better then the 1999 E-Class and I dont even consider BMWs.....The wood in the interior could be improved....and I need to buy a new fan for the drivers side heating system....Other then that Iam thrilled.....$53,000 NEW....Paid $26K...1999 is 99% identical to 2003 Model

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  99 deville concourse - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Glenn Smith - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is a dream! Rides like a big car, handles like a mid-size. Great engine,...never a problem.

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  Excellent - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Thunda7 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Best car I have ever driven. I ve had two BMW"S and a Chrysler 300m but those cars are nothing compared to the Cadillac.

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  TOP DOG!!! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By rizzo26 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  GREAT VEHICLE... caddy does it again

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  woooow - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By William G. Jonison - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Best car I have ever owned by any method of comparision. This is a real sports car, very high proformance package, very solid, only possible add would be a six speed stick. (maybe next year)

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  Staci - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Stazi - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I just love it

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  The Kat Rides - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By yolan carter - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Sporty exterior and great funky army green color. Great pickup. This is my 5th Cadi and first not a Deville model. Takes some getting used to because it is smaller than the full size Deville. Burns regular gas which is why I switched models. Engine is made in France but it appears to be splendid so Ill forgive them for that. I miss the huge trunck of the Deville but the back seats fold down so I have a huge trunck provided there are no passengers in the rear. I like the smaller size because it is easier to handle, parking is a breeze. The only drawback I can find is one does not get the soft ride of the large Deville. This is a "sport" ride

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  Wow what a car - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By buzzzzz - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I drive Mercedes and BMW and can tell yot that this car is up to this standard and maybe better build quality than the Mercedes

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  Wow - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Brown3345 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the most awesome car I have ever driven!

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  MY STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By SMILE 827 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR. DRIVES LIKE A VETTE, FEELS LIKE AN ADULT LUXURY CAR! SMALL PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPUTER - FORGETS SOME OF THE PERSONALIZED COMMANDS