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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  2000 Cadillac Escalade - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By cagolfbum - March 13 - 2:00 am

  Reliable, solid and comfortable ride, well designed. Great vehicle for family trips - kids have their own music in back seat, rear climate controls for flexibility. The seat warmers are nice on cold winter mornings!

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  excellent - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By joeyg - March 9 - 8:08 pm

  i like it

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  Years of reliable driving - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By Rocco - March 9 - 3:47 pm

  Six years and 120,000 miles. No problems. I only needed one tune up and two minor service visits. Outstanding performance. I went back an bought me another Cadillac. I wouldnt even consider another manufacturer. Excellent reliability! Enjoy.

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  the new CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Emerald - March 8 - 5:33 am

  a very fun car to drive just enough powerV6 and luxury and style

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  The good car - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Lauren Harward - March 5 - 12:46 pm

  This was a good car

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  Desinging and engineering at its finest - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By cashmoney - March 2 - 2:57 am

  great car no doubt about it

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  Simply a work of art - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By cashmoney - March 2 - 2:54 am

  everyhting this car has blows its competiton away truly buety at its best and is worth the money compared to 120,000 dollar mercedes that arent twice as good

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  I love this car! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Karen - March 1 - 9:56 am

  Ive only had the car for 2 weeks, but its been my dream car for years and I waited for the 2008s as I heard they were much improved. I love this car more than I ever imagined I would. Its quiet, comfortable, easy to drive and everyone stops to look at it. The sunset blue color is really something to look at.

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  My ETC Eldorado - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By dclay - February 28 - 2:57 pm

  I am very pleased with the cars ride, handling, comfort & performance. I dont like the extensive use of plastic on the cars exterior. So far, have not had to have any service other than routine maintenance. The disc brakes are not up to my standards but have them on a list to be checked by the dealer.

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  1998 DeVille - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By TC - February 28 - 12:00 pm

  Excellent ride & handling. Seats could be a little softer. Fuel economy is quite good. Cabin is quiet even on windy days. Overall quality & workmanship is very good. This is my second Caddy, am very well pleased with it.