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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  I live my Catera - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By samintx - August 30 - 2:00 am

  I had always driven Hondas (since the 70s) In my old age I stepped up to the Catera and really you cant beat it for trips. I arrive feeling like I havent driven 500 miles. Dont care what people say, I love the comfort, OnStar and the service I get locally. Small, enuf power and comfort.

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  This is one... Nasty Momma ! - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By CMB - August 30 - 2:00 am

  This car... "is all that" in the styling department! the new models dont talk to me per say. This beautiful "Guppy" says CADILLAC! all over it, from its rear tail fins to its bold front finders! The new DeVilles simpley lack the Caddy ID And the sad part about it, on the 2000 and up models, the rear view of the car at dust to evening at a "glance" says Cadillac until they mash the brakes...then "its all over" We forty and up like a Mature, Bold, Sassy look, Like a fine wine. Crisp, Delicate, yet STRONG! Oh and by the way the performance speaks for its self! "Simpley CADILLAC"!(Grrrrrr)

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  cool car - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By chessmastercool - August 28 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever used or bought completly satisfactory better than everything else.

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  Love The SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Furia - August 27 - 10:00 am

  I have had the car for a couple of weeks and think it was the best thing we have ever bought. The performance of the vehicle was much better than the lexus, infiniti, and the bmw. The size of the vehicle is perfect. Not too big.... Not too small. I would recommend this car (or pretty much any car in the caddy family) to anyone. We also have an escalade ext which is AWESOME!!!!

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  NoCTS4ME - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By NoCTS4ME - August 27 - 2:00 am

  Spent more time in the dealership garage than mine. Constant problems - 2 engine oil coolers(within 3 weeks of each other)tail lights & headlight repacements(lost count),squealing brakes, brake light switch, key stuck in ignition, NUMEROUS electrical problems. Fun to drive but most of time spent on road was behind a tow truck! Cant give away the worst car I ever owned. NO RESALE VALUE.Just traded UP to an ALTIMA. No CTS for me.

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  Excellent Escalade - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Goof - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Awesome to own and drive --- my husband enjoys his "conjicle visits" on the weekends when he gets to switch w/ me and I drive the Deville!!! I look forward to getting it back and driving it again on Mondays!!!! And man are the children ever spoiled!!!! Love it -- I dont ever want to own anything else!!!

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  Nice Car !!! - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By robappraiser - August 25 - 2:00 am

  ive had my Catera for about 8 months and love it. I have back problems and I find the car VERY comfortable. People are always asking what kind of car it is, everyone loves it. Its got style, class and all in a car that is not too big but extremely comfortable for even five adults.

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  Spectacular Driving - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By Bobby J 36 - August 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my fourth cadillac, second Seville. It is the best car on the road. The car turns heads, I like that. The ride is comfortable yet road responsive - a true pleasure. I had only one repair about seven years ago. cadillac roadside service arrived in about half an hour and fixed the car on the spot - WOW!!! Get dressed and go out the car helps you feel special. Put the pedal to the metal and you can fly, physically and emotionally. A car should do more than travel it should make you feel good. Seville is all that and more.

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  ESCI - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By bea duran - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY ESCALADE, IT GIVES ME GREAT COMFORT IN DRIVING IT ,THOUGH I DO HAVR TO SAY THAT IT IS A LITTLE ROUGHER, COMPARED TO A SEVILLE. I DONT EVER HAVE ANY KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH IT.

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  not all its cracked up to be - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By itsonlyme - August 25 - 2:00 am

  it looks good. gas mileage sucks. the ride sucks. costs too much for the profile only. rides tight. the inside is great. but, over all, its just not worth it.... trying to get rid of it now with no luck.