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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  Nice STS - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Mike White Cadillac - August 14 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed this car. I have had the usual mechanical things happen. Fuel pump, water pump, belts, spark plug wires ect. This started around 125,000 miles. I am now at 178,000. She runs great. Very fast, good handling. Still looks great. Bad cup holders.

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  Great! - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By DKescalade - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Stepping on the accelerator tells the difference btw this vehicle and others. The low gas mileage is expected for this engine. I dont regret having paid $57,000 for my new Escalade.

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  GREAT - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By www - August 13 - 2:00 am

  i WANT ANOTHER ONE, EXCELLENT

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  MY CAR - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By BRAT - August 12 - 2:00 am

  love the engine but does use oil. drives like a sports car. Have replaced the middle arm rest twice in 6 years and needs it again. ac is slow to come on and still is on new models. Have slso replaced all 4 struts after 4 yrs-and that aint cheap!! love the rain sensor wipers .have owned this car 6 years and will probably get another new one soon but will miss the roomieness of the older models.

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  Exciting and Fun to Drive - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By SandyH2000 - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Just bought an Escalade after looking at GMC Denali. Loved it from the first drive and it is different from GMC Yukon despite what they say. Have taken several trips and it drives great. Integrated navigation, XM Radio are great and work well. Overall a great drive.

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  Garbage - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Joannie - August 10 - 2:00 am

  My service engine light has been on continuously for 3 years. The air conditioning does not work and I have spent thousands of dollars attempting to rectify whatever may be wrong with the electronic system of the car. I was told by one mechanic, "There were problems with the computer systems of the 1996 Cadillacs but your car is not under warranty."

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  Fun but non-reliable car - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By bdmparker - August 10 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used (20K) miles 2 years ago. Taken in 2 local dealership over 15 times since purchased. Car has cut out at stop lights/signs over 4 times & refused to start. Check engine light on, seat heat went out, power moon roof would not open, power window stopped working, coolant tank leaked, brake light switch defective so no brake lights etc. When car works, fun to drive. My warranty just expired so in process of looking for another car. Not a minute too soon because as of this morning, the car is stuck in my garage, refuses to start.

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  CTS Walks All Over Avalon - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By marksecoshop - August 7 - 1:53 pm

  Im a loyal Toyota customer who is grateful for heeding the advice to test drive the all new 2008 Cadillac CTS after nearly committing to purchasing a 2008 Toyota Avalon XLS. The 2008 CTS is far superior in quality, performance, and handling. Thats right, the 2008 Cadillac CTS walked all over the Avalon for quality Three out of four Avalons I considered had very noticeable interior fit-and-trim problems. While the Avalon was very capable and pleasant to drive, there wasnt anything outstanding about the vehicle. On the other hand, the CTS provided me with an instant "WOW" experience in the road. This vehicle is fun to drive and the handling and suspension is outstanding.

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  STILL love this truck six years later - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Sandy - August 5 - 11:30 am

  What a beautiful vehicle this has been. Shes riding as good as day one and turns heads every day. An elegant vehicle with studly capability to work like a dog if the need arises. Luxury interior. Best ever seen in a truck. Not one single mechanical problem with 100,000 miles. I hope to keep her for another 100K. And Im a woman who is a certified "truck hater" by birth.

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  Cadillac is back - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By shimimiquan - August 4 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. Very quick, tight handling, luxurious interior