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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  Escalade after 6 weeks - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Bruce Rogow - August 25 - 2:00 am

  We have been very impressed with virtually all aspects of the vehicle so far. The XM radio is an unexpected pleasure. The comfort, ride and acceleration have been better than expected. The rear bucket seats and overhead vents have been great.

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  My Caddy - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By colvin - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had no trouble with my caddy, it drives great and the performance is better than I expected. Every one looks and comments about the car all the time. Ease and handling are great for such a big SUV. Off road if I ever take it there performance is great. The AWD and stability track is a feature you cant live without.

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  Absolutely the BEST! - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By ScottnAndrea - August 25 - 2:00 am

  WE have enjoyed our Escalade immensely. There is no comparison to other vehicles in this class! The comfortable and luxurious ride make it a pleasure to drive. WE wouldnt trade it for any other vehicle, no matter the price!

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  Great Catera - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Dorothy - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Had planned on replacing my Catera with the new CTS until I saw the CTS, then decided to keep the Catera. We like the exterior lines of the Catera much better than the CTS and we are completely satisfied with everyting about it, so concluded we had no reason to update.

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  everything safe - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Caddymon - August 24 - 2:00 am

  great suv super it make you proud to drive this truck

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  my 99Caddie - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By mkennedy - August 23 - 2:00 am

  overall I liked the car But the vibration and hard suspension was wearing. Drive 900 miles and you are exhausted. My 93 Cad. drove like a dream I could drive 1000 miles and get out and still be able to walk! This one -forget it! Im exhausted! The road control is not as good as the 93. More swerve on curves. I had A/C problems that my dealer was not able to correct purchased the car from. problem I now After $859.00 I still have a car that misses or a bad transmission. I love the space this car has but dont like the dealer I have and he is the only one in 50 miles.The Cdillac deVille is not the car it once was. Ive owned 3.

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  Cheapened up a great car! - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Merrick2 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Escalade. The 2002 was by far my favorite car. So I was excited to see the refinements in the 2003 model. I was very disappointed. They upped the price and cheapened the insides significantly. They moved the computer console, took away some of the convenience buttons on the dash and the steering wheel, changed the center console from 2 compartments to 1, and added a useless opening in the dash.The trailer package, which was included in the 2002, became an option in 2003. All in all, I was very disappointed in this years model from the inside appearance standpoint. As far as power and outside appearance, it was outstanding.

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  CADILLAC CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By boobaby888 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE IS EXCELLENT. I LOVE IT AND I WOULD NOT CHOOSE ANY OTHER VEHICLE OVER IT. IT IS REASONABLY PRICED AND WORTH IT.

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  GM pulled the wool over our eyes... - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By wordofmouththeonlywa - August 22 - 2:00 am

  GM sold us a bill of goods here. As soon as the warranty was up (only 4 years) this p.o.s. started falling apart. The name CADILLAC used to mean quality that you could trust. I have seen nothing but problems with this car. From headlights literally falling off to fuel sensors or pumps or something shorting out IN the gas tank causing the electrical system to go haywire??? You tell me why I should pay over $40g for this again??? Very disappointed and of course GM says, "Thank you for purchasing a Cadillac and we appreciate your informing us of how to improve our products." Basically "screw you sucker. We got ours."

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  Served me well....until warranty ran out - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By brenda clark - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Was treated royally by dealership until warranty ran out. Air conditioner problems were "treated" with the most expensive options and finally solved with an $89.00 outside temperature sensor. Now the temperature adjusts to the setting rather than blowing out hot air at a 65 degree setting. Have had blower motor replaced twice and compressor twice, both not the solution at my expense of over $3,000, as I was told this would "fix the problem". Not so...the $89 part fixed it. Dont go to dealers with your problems.