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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  cadillac escalade review - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By DWIGHT - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Second Escalade and very happy. Fuel economy only drawback.

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  My Cadillac - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Da17 - September 14 - 12:22 am

  My 1997 Cadillac Eldorado is elegant, classy, and attractive, but has terrible gas mileage.

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  2000 Cadillac DeVille - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By WOP - September 13 - 10:54 pm

  Great ride with superior fuel economy. Last week I drove to Austin, TX from Houston, TX and returned. The highway speed was averging 60 mph, and the mpg was 29.

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  Lovin the CTS - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Sal - September 13 - 5:59 pm

  Test drove the competitive set (Acura TL, Lexus ES330, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class, Volvo S60). The CTS blew them away in comfort, handling and amenities. Took me 4 weeks to make the decision, but I went for the Cadillac. No regrets. The dealer was excellent- patient, low pressure and I was satisfied with the deal.

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  A Class Action Suit Waiting to Happen - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Bill - September 13 - 5:56 pm

  If any one trys to sell you a Certified Used Cadillac with a Northstar engine - run! Since I have owned my DeVille I have found out that the engine uses oil to the extent of a quart every 1,700 miles and is viewed by GM as NORMAL according to their service bulletins. Therefore, no attempt to correct problem. In addition, I have had two coolant leaks, an engine mount replaced, an electronic control module replaced, both wheel hubs and front bearings replaced, a trunk seal replaced, and the list goes on. Now I undertstand why I got a bumper to bumper extended warranty to 100,000 miles as a certified used car. Unfortunately, it still isnt enough.

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  Comfort and reliability - Great Package - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Karenfran - September 13 - 2:57 pm

  This family car provides great comfort. Have driven this car all over the country and it zooms along Texas roads getting at 26 miles per gallon and climbs West VA hills with ease. Im faithful to oil changes, tire rotation and pressure. Bought the car with 17,000 miles (save the showroom price for folks who dont care what they pay). Will definitely consider buying Cadillac again if this one slows down! A/C needed major fix in first few months but my warranty covered everything except $50 deductible.

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  Catera- its a terra! - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By micar - September 11 - 11:26 pm

  When running, my Catera looks and drives well. It loves visiting the mechanic though. The strangest things go wrong almost weekly. I expected better from Caddilac / German engineering!

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  Standard DeVille - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Kevin Kos - September 10 - 10:03 pm

  The STD or standard model has 275 hp and flies! The DTS -Deville Touring Sedan and the DHS - Deville High Luxury Sedan have 300 hp, and the only difference I can see is the standard has the hood ornament on the hood, while the DTS & DHS models put it on the grill for a sportier look.

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  Cadillac Escalade - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Robert - September 9 - 3:50 am

  Car is exceptional to drive and is very comfortable and roomy. It meets my needs and expectations in an SUV with the exceptiond of gas mileage (about 14-16 mpg). The electronics and automatic features are wonderful with the way the electronic sunroof closes automatically upon exiting the vehicle. The backup warning feature is also quite helpful. Since I did not get the navigational system, the rear camera feature is not avaiable. The exterior styling and engine size of the vehicle, puts it ahead of other comparable vehicles, in my view.

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  Cadillac convert - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By DM - September 7 - 10:04 pm

  As a long time import owner, domestics were never high on my list. Ive owned several Nissan / Infiniti vehicles. Needed a larger vehicle for the family and to travel in. STS works perfectly everyone has room and the Caddy more than gets up. Pretty much every creature comfort available and rides quiet. By the way, Im way under 40 so the looks from the older Caddy owners are just great.