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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  Caddys Rule! - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By imperialman - August 20 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a 2003 deville. Boy was I impressed with that car. I hear a lot of talk of the imports, but this car has it all, and in my opinion cant be beat. The Americans are kicking ass and taking names

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  Best Vehicle I have Driven in Over 30 Years - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Bobby - August 18 - 5:53 am

  Without a doubt the 2004 Cadillac SRX is one of the best vehicles I have owned and driven in over 30 years. It has all the features you want in a vehicle like this. You dont know what you are missing till you go out and drive an SRX.

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  Great car but very poor gas mileage - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By mozsts - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Big, powerful, comfortable, great looking but aweful gas mileage. 21-22 mpg hwy, 14-15mpg city. Has any of you had such poor fuel economy. I might as well drive an escalade.

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  The Best Ride On the Road - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By Talltales2 - August 18 - 2:00 am

  The best car i ever owned

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  Deville DTS - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Thomas Gregory - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving Cadillacs since High School (Grad 1980). I am really excited about the changes Cadillac has been making in styling, technology and quality. I recently bought my first brand new car - 2003 Deville DTS. I love everything about the car - power, handling, comfort, accessories, ect - except the parts of the interior which feel cheap.

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  DTS Review - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By audrey - August 17 - 2:00 am

  The DTS has enough power to move this large vehicle. In my garage it is as long as my Navigator SUV. This car handles very nice and rides great. Clients love the room in the back seat.

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  caddy - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By rl wooly - August 17 - 2:00 am

  Best kept seceret in cars

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  owner - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By G.F. Hollmiller - August 17 - 2:00 am

  This my 8th cadillic since 1976.

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  great cadillac - 1991 Cadillac Allante
  By joewoz - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car,you just have to work the top right and than you have a great car!

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  Best of both Worlds - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By mdpelc - August 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my second STS. Cadillac has a car that will meet or exceed every possible want that you could hope for on a car.