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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  Excellent car - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By PBsr - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Great step up from previous car which was a Park Avenue Ultra. Miliage for a car of this weight and power is outstanding 19 city and 27 highway.

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  Escalade, King of the Road - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Wakeride - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I test drove a 2003 Hummer(H2), 2003 Navigator and 2003 Tahoe before trying the 2003 Escalade. None of the others compared. This vehicle blew my mind. It has the best of everything and looks great too. The power is mind boggling. You feel like you are in a sports car when you step on the gas, yet it rides like you are on air. I would recommend the 03 or 04 Escalade to anyone.

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  Las Vegas Boulevard Cruiser - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By M G. Brown - January 23 - 2:00 am

  My late Stepfather originally owned this car, and true to form of older persons it was driven mostly to the "club" and to church only 49,000 miles as of 01/2004. Although cars such as Cadillac are criticized as having poor fuel economy, my DeVille gives average highway fuel figures of between 21-22 mpg in winter conditions- with commanding passing power when needed. This is much better than a co-workers Escalade SUV which is lucky to achieve 14-15 mpg in the same conditions- and he would rather that we take my DeVille out for lunch because he says its much more comfortable!

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  the BEST CAR i have ever owned - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Fatty87 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 70000 miles on it. I have driven it hard for two years and it now has 112895 miles. Not a damn problem. She is a beauty, she a has a great body and boy does she have a personality. I previously had a 96 STS and was some what let down with its somewhat fair build quality. BUT, now I am convinced that CADDY has changed And I will be buying more RELIABLE cars from Caddy and so should you.

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  Excellent ride - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By wscott - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I have 48000 miles on my DTS in 2 years. Have had no problems, except for a broken lumbar switch on passenger seat. We have taken several long trips in the car, and it is ery comfortable and really performs. Absolutely love the Onstar system. It has been very helpful several times.

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  Just like new - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By shmoooze - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I had a 85 coupe de ville several years ago that I loved. I bought my 90 in 2003 with only 33,000 miles on it. Literally owned by a little old lady from new who passed away. Only thing I dont like is the Carriage Vinyl roof (half roof) which I had to replace)

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  98 Catera full of problems - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By noxoc - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Very disappointed in this vehicle. Expected better quality. Feel like I bought a Yugo instead of a Cadillac. Problems include door hinge straps coming unwelded from door frames, cigarette lighter falling out of console, cup holders broke first time used, stereo speaker covers fall off, coolant leak somewhere near intake manifold, battery goes dead when vehicle sits unused for more than 2 days, wheel jack & tools made from cheap materials - bent into unusable shape used. Poor customer service from Cadillac.

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  good, but... - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By redbug - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Good value for the money. Have enjoyed 4 years of use. Unfortunately it has had multiple electronic problems over its lifetime: 2 crankshaft sensors replaced drivers side heated seat cushion element replaced and still not working right heater/ac dash control module had to be replaced. If Cadillac wants to play with the big boys (BMW,Mercedes,Lexus, Acura,etc.,) they HAVE to improve quality, otherwise they will always be following the pack. A car of this caliber should not be plagued with poor quality electronics that can have a real negative impact on its reputation. If the imports can do it well, why not Cadillac?

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  cadillac - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By ivethleal - January 21 - 2:00 am

  i love this truck, its the bomb!

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  splendid - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Daddy P - January 20 - 2:00 am

  Highly recommended. I would suggest this to anyone who ever had a dream and everyone who wants to live!