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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  Cadi - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By Tenika - August 4 - 2:00 am

  The car is a very good car. The only down fall is that everything you do to it is expensive. All the parts you replace will cost you some money.

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  Great car - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By ADE 1000 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  We leased the STS after comparing it to the following vehicles: Audi A6 4.2, BMW 540i, Lincoln LS V-8, and MB E430. The STS offered more car for the money in our opinion, and prefferred its ride quality and exterior styling. Our lease is over and our experience was a pleasant one. The car was a great highway cruiser, it handled well, had decent power, and the ride is amazingly smooth. Reliability was fair, the car needed a few trips to the dealer for minor warranty stuff. Overall, the car was solid.

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  99 Deville - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By JDW - August 3 - 2:00 am

  One of the better Caddys I have had since a 1979. Forget the 80s they didnt happen. I like the performance and style. At least you know its a caddy from the rear i.e tailights! I had a few problems with engine mount bolt and oil leak, but the warranty covered it. Emissions service I feel should not be an issue with under 50,000 miles. Michelin tires and brakes all made 55-60 thousand miles. Not a bad vehicle for the money. Took a few long Hwy trips 25mpg at 70 plus mphr Great ride.

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  powerful lux - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By gilla - August 2 - 2:00 am

  In July i bought a 2003 sls for my wife. This is the third cadilac that we have owned and i am still not disapointed. THe interior is wonderful and an upgrade from the last car i had (96). The engine is still peppy and powerful as ever. I love that such a powerful engine comes standard. The reliability of this car is great also. The only problem is that once it hits 100,000 miles it gets the real problems. Up till then i love it.

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  A Great Mommy Car With First Baby - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By RT BEHM - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car for my wife after she left the work force. We wanted a large car to travel with our daughter. The car was purchased for $5,500. It looks brand new. I believe it now needs new struts which are pretty expensive. But for $5,500 what do you expect. It seem secure and safe for in town travel. I would love to find a fleetwood once this one craps out. My plan is to drive it 200,000 miles.

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  Cadillacs are the best american cars - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By deville - July 31 - 2:00 am

  CADILLACS ARE GREAT, MOST COMFORTABLE CAR IN THE WORLD, VERY FAST FOR ITS SIZE, FUEL GUZZLER THOUGH

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  Cad SUV - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Inez Spangrud - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Terrific SUV. Overalll mpg with 50/50 city/hwy is 15.5 on computer. Regularly get 18mpg on trips at 75-80 mph.

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  my favorite car - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By normann - July 31 - 2:00 am

  the last car i had was a Escalade...The car i have now is a Escalade...and the next car i plan to own will be a Escalade....

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  AWESOME - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Amanda Bennett - July 31 - 2:00 am

  This is a really nice ride and an awesome car.. i would recomend it to anyone, the cost is worth and it is very stylish!

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  Cadillac CTS sharp, fun to drive - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By hgold1 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Great style, terrific handling, good power. I shopped the M/B c240, BMW 3 series, Lexus 300 series and Infinity I 35. The CTS was the nicest looking (if you like the style) had the best handling and more bells and whistles for almost the same price as the others.