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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  CUTE AND SMALL, BUT VERY STYLISH - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By TANEKKA - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I FOUND INSTANTLY AFTER DRIVINF THIS VEHICLE THAT YOU CANNOT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. IT SURPRISED ME HOW ROOMY THE INTERIOR WAS. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SLOW, BUT IT HAD AN EXCELLENT TAKE OFF SPEED. IT RODE AS IF I WAS RIDING ON A CLOUD.

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  Great Car - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By fshoefind - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Cadillac has finally built a great car eqyal to Mercedes and BMW. It has great features and a great ride.

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  DeVille DHS - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Jt53 - February 14 - 2:00 am

  Best Car on the Road

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  good car - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By cadillac - February 14 - 2:00 am

  its a good car but reliability isnt too good as well as the gas mileage.

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  Cadillac Kicks Ass - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By platinum_gucci - February 14 - 2:00 am

  If you want top of the line Luxury then go with the Escalade. The Body Definition stands out among other SUVs and you will be noticed. You do get your moneys worth with this vehicle. You will be amazed at how much stuff this vehicle will do for you to make your driving experience much easier and it will make it 100 times harder to go back to anything other than an Escalade. This vehicle does everthing but drive itself and I wouldnt put that out of the question in the near future!

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  BEST TRUCK IVE OWNED - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By wts4550 - February 14 - 2:00 am

  WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT

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  the PERFECT car - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By whitediamondlade - February 14 - 2:00 am

  What can I say? Its perfect. Even though the gas mileage isnt what you would want it to be the performance of this machine is worth it!! =)

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  Love the Northstar, hate the gremlins - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Robert King - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car used in 1999. Have taken trips to California, Colorado and New York. I have enjoyed the cars engine performance and comfortable ride. I have always been impressed that a car that weighs this much can average over 29 mpg at high speed. I have however made many costly trips to the dealer for repair water pump rear suspension air compressor, heater/AC blower motor, O2 sensor, the last and most irritating was in my garage when the security system failed. No cure other than towing to dealer for $400.00 worth of Ignition switch, keys and harness wiring. I love this car but will not be owning another Cadillac.

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  Da bomb Caddy - 1999 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Chris203 - February 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is a beautiful example of American luxury and power. This car is quick, it weighs alot, but it has enough power to beat most stock cars. The interior is very comfortable with leather and wood everywhere and a good Bose sound system (on the ETC). The Bose system is very clear, but it could use more bass. This car is also packed with technology, almost everything is automatic, wipers, lights, climate control, all you basically have to do is drive. I only had one problem so far, a dead battery, but that wasnt really a problem. I highly recommend this car to anyone who loves American muscle and luxury.

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  Love My Caddy - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By michaelscottbrooks - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Just bought a gorgeous DeVille in prHaistine condition. Rides like a dream, comfort abounds, controls are sensible and easy to reach and it goes! Handling is more nimbles than a car this size usually offers. Im impressed.