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 - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Vince from Cape Cod - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Since Im a big guy I want no console hindering me. Deville DSL has all the lux features I could want plus leg room for me the driver and my back seat clients/family. Front wheel drive a big plus in New England and the Northstar engine is awesome! Love this car - world class!

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  Good Auto - not excellent - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By Admiral - December 20 - 2:00 am

  This was my experience with my STS which Ive traded in now for an SLS 2003 for the softer ride. I miss some of the "goodies" as described in the inquiry.

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  ext - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Casino Runner - December 19 - 10:00 am

  NIce, very nice. Good power and comfort could use a digital dash but so far so good!

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  surprise - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Arty3591 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This car was chosen to replace a previous lease; when we went for the test ride, it took only a short spin to realize that this was a different Cadillac. It not only looks great, but it drives like a sports car, handles really well, and gives good mileage in the bargain. It has most of the luxury features that I look for, and I have had only one problem with it; the plastic cover on the head lining that holds the controls for the courtesy lights and the sun roof is faulty; and it is continuing to be a problem; otherwise, a great car!

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  Buy Two for The Parts You will Need - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By caddyattack - December 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great driving car and still looks good. It is the worst mechanical nightmare ever designed. The engine has been rebuilt 2X by Cadillac at no charge after the warranty because they were so embarrassed. Every repair is serious, frequent and costly. Truly an engineers disaster. Should never have been made.

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  2001 ETC - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By ARTsETC - December 18 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving a new ETC every 3 uears since the Northstar came out. Its a great car. You get full size, decent handling, comfort and great performance.

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  MY LOVELY CADDY - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By TONY VENEZIA - December 18 - 2:00 am

  IM VERY HAPPY WITH MY DEVILLE IT HAS BEEN GREAT AS FAR AS PERFORMANCE RELIABILITY AND COMFORT. I WOULD RECOMEND TO A FRIEND IN A HEARTBEAT. I WILL BE BUYING ANOTHER CADILLAC WHEN IM READY FOR A NEW ONE

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  Happy and Proud to Own it - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Happy Wife - December 18 - 2:00 am

  Had a Towncar - It was totalled by an SUV, rented a Caddy while decision was being made about towncar - Will never drive another towncar. I Love this CAR!! I bought it Certfied and am very happy with the entire experience. Good to know it is 100% warrantied for the next 5 years.

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  Needs improvement - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By ferrman - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Cadillac has a long way to go to be considered in the same class as European automobiles. The soft ride and mediocre handling, although improved, do not bode well for Cadillac to seriously compete with other luxury marques. Dealers do not seem very helpful, which is unfortunate, since Ive spent quite a bit of time there.

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  The Best On Road - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By mlfone - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle by far is the best purchase I have ever made. The gas mileage is ok for an suv of its size. I drove all the top brands before this purchase and none held a candle to the Cadillac. Dont make a mistake and purchase something a little cheaper youll hate yourself in the long run.