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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  Great Truck - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Time Out - July 18 - 2:00 am

  My second escalde, A pure pleasure to drive.

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  Daddys Caddy Eval 02 - 1991 Cadillac Deville
  By Daddy Caddy - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Although I have only had this particular vehicle for only a few months, I have owned numerous new and used vehicles over the years and this particulare automobile has become an instant hit for me. I am a Caddy man for the long haul. The supreme ride and comfort cant be touched by anything in its era. A Caddy is a true automobile in a class of it own.

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  Its All That - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Escalade - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I love this Truck, ive had about 4 or 5 Suvs over the years and known of them compare. The Ride and comfort make it feel like your not even driving.

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  I Love My Caddy - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Tom C. - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Eldorado ETC. I had a 97 and 00 before this one and theyve all been fabulous. This 2002 is incredibly solid and smooth riding. Its the nicest car on the road and the best value in a big coupe.

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  98 Catera - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Louise - July 7 - 2:00 am

  A solid car, reliable and fun to drive. There were a few gliches initially with the AM radio & tires. After those were addressed by the dealer, all has been fine.

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  Twenty-seventh Cadillac - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By Jack Clark - July 7 - 2:00 am

  I have had this Seville SLS for about 45 days. It is about the 27th Cadillac that I have owned. This is the best. The last one I had was a 2000 STS and I like this better because it rides better, is more quite, and gets better gas mileage. (30.5 on the hiway) It handles great and is very well put together. It has plenty of power. 300 ft lbs of tourque and comes in at lower rpm than on the STS. I drove a new Lexus and it felt like a boat compared to the Seville. For the money you cant beat it. My friend has a Mercedes and is always having trouble and it costs so much to have anything done to it. Over $200.00 just for an oil change.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Had - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Satisfied Caddy Man - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned 8 cars in 25 years and this is the best one so far. Comfort is great and the gas mileage is wonderful for a big powerful car - 30 MPG @ 75 MPH with 1000 lb of passengers and luggage! The only real problem so far has been a leaking rack & pinion at 65,000 miles - cost alomost $1,000 to replace. My prior car was an 86 Lincoln Continental. The Caddy is ten times better.

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  Outstanding - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Gator - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle but some suggested improvements. One be sure and check on delivery for a trailer hitch pkg, this is not a standard feature? I got it thrown in after purchase with little effort but could have been a $400.00 mistake. Also more ground clearance would be nice.I understand this is not a true off road vehicle but for $57,000 loaded with all wheel drive you should have better off road options.(Standard Ford or Dodge 4X4 ROAD clearance would make this vehicle perfect 3-4 inches higher.)

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  Love this car! - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By noffy - July 6 - 2:00 am

  My family loves this car. We have a 91 model as well. We like it so much, we bought another used one.

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  YES to CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Mrs. K. - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Drove the CTS home to show my husband. I knew he would tease me about considering an "old woman" Cadillac (we were looking at SUVs). He drove it and quickly changed his opinion. What started as a practical joke has turned into an absolute joy! Both of us are just lovin it.