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:

• 

  tel it - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By tel it - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Bought vehicle used, so far only one trouble with coolant leak.Rides good for small car and low profile tires.Has great pickup in traffic and is fun to drive.

• 

  Over the top - 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By jamesdane - April 4 - 10:00 am

  If you drive it, you will want it.

• 

  If this is just the beginning.... - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By CTSdriver - April 4 - 10:00 am

  The CTS is the first car heralding Cadillacs new direction. It is great looking, Ive got compliments from people young and. Its feels fast, and it is, although it could use a little more power. It corners with a lot of confidence for a large car. The comfort is alright, but the Volvo that it replaced seemed to be easier to get into, it is also not quite up to par with its stablemates (STS and DTS, which I have driven) which are very plush. The interior is much maligned for its plastic looks and I must agree, although the actual material is much nicer than regular interior plastic. It has a very nice feel that you must see and feel for yourself.

• 

  Oh my Doodness - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Kracka Pleez - April 4 - 10:00 am

  I am going to be 32 soon and this is the 2nd automobile I have ever owned. My first was a 90 Mazda pickup that I bought brand new. After almost 12 years I was ready for a change. And oh man, have I changed. This car does wonders for your self confidence and ego. I actually cant wait to wake up in the morning now to drive to work. I have trouble sleeping. Ive woken up at night and sat in the driveway to play with my personalization settings the other night. Today I left for work early and drove around some more after arriving. Luckily my company will be relocating soon. It should add another 10-15 minutes to my commute.

• 

  GREAT CAR NEW OR USED - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By KATIE - April 3 - 2:00 am

  MY CAR HS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT LOOKING TO GET A NEW ONE.BECAUSE WE TRAVEL ALOT IN THIS CAR.GRAET CAR TO DRIVE IT HAS ALOT OF PROWER.

• 

  The new FLEETWOOD - 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Caddy Bob - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car-ist. new Fleetwood in 17 years the BROUGHAM package made the car and with the added options of leather/cd/sound system & security package plus a CADDY ride-what a car.....

• 

  title - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By zz - April 3 - 2:00 am

  awsome car

• 

  Seville "Gamble" - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By John B - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Took a chance at the auction on a 99 Seville. She had 44k miles so I hedged my bet with at least a couple of months of factory warranty left in case there was something seriously wrong. Much more of a car than I would of bought had I not gone the auction route ( had been looking at $20 -$25 thousand new vehicles)

• 

  great ride - 1990 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By matts2892 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  this auto mobile was purchased used and in immaculate shape. it now has 172450 on the odometer and there has never once been a problem. If you are looking for a really big car for under 5,000 with lots of options go for it purchase a caddy fleetwood no matter how many miles are on it.

• 

  98 STS - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By B2 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  The STS is one of the best automobiles Ive owned. Reliability is excellent, fuel economy is around 27 MPG highway, and comfort is exceptional. The car also handles very well in snow.