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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  Certified DeVille - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By dispencer - January 20 - 2:00 am

  Purchased a certified DeVille with 30k miles and the car is absolutely like new in every respect with a savings of $20k+. Immediately took a 400 mile trip -smooth, comfortable, and 26MPG. Night and day over a new LeSabre for the same price. Especially like the seat design. This is the standard seat without lumbar control and after a 7 hour trip absolutely no back ache at all. This is truly remarkable.

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  I love my Escalade!!! - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By coley - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I love it! The ride is fabulous and having the north start navigating system is definately worthwhile. We also had the opportunity to use our heated seats here in New Orleans!! I would recommend the Escalade to anyone who is interested!! We are very pleased with our recent purchase. The staff from Duplessis Cadillac in Baton Rouge, LA were very professional and made our buying experience a positive one!!

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  great used car purchase - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By spoonie - January 18 - 2:00 am

  needed a new fuel pressure regulator and some TLC, but with a set of Michelins added,, it has been a great car. Will buy another. At 140,000 miles , it is going strong.

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  Adult Transportation - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By dwbergmann - January 18 - 2:00 am

  With the discounts given by Cadillac this vehicle is a good value. I was looking for an automobile to provide easy interstate crusing and comfort. My goal was as much sensory depravation as possible. I now have that although there is a little wind noise aroung the outside mirror. Now is the compass just was always accurate all would be well.

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  Very Good - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By glomart - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Original owners and only drivers always garaged and well maintained according to manufacturers service recommendations. Interior is immaculate, paint is pearl white.

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  Best SUV - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Matt_adams - January 18 - 2:00 am

  The 2003 Cadillac Escalade I purchased delivers great power and performance, stylish looks, loads of features and a great roar from the 6.0L V8. The first thing that caught my eye is the distinctive look. The SUV is very flashy especially with the white diamond paint. The fit and finish in the SUV is very fine and the SUV has had no relaiblity issues.

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  Best Suv Ive Had! - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By JFajnor - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle Rides like a luxary car yet has all the features of an SUV. Better value for your money then high -end SUV from Japan. Previous SUV was a Lexus same price but less Vehicle.

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  VERY PLEASED - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By ASHWAH - January 16 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR IS A FANTASTIC PERFORMER! IT IS NOT FOR THE MILD MANNERED DRIVER. PASSING GEAR WILL REQUIRE THAT YOU REALLY HOLD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL YOU "LET UP". THE ENGINE SEEMS TO CONSUME A QUART IN BETWEEN 3OOO MILE CHANGES. I SAY SEEMS BECAUSE I KEEP THE ENGINE OIL & ALL FLUIDS "TOPPED OFF". I AM SO SORRY GM HAS STOPPED BUILDING ELDORADO COUPES, SO I AM KEEPING THIS BROUGHAM! A FAN

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  Daddy caddy - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Big Time - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Rides like a scolded dog! Its a great car.

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  computercodecaddy - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By lou from jersey - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had several electrical issues, computer codes (service codes)pop up often, cost some money just to find out whats wrong, due to complicated Diagnostic.