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:

• 

  Nice to look at, thats all. - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By TMC - July 7 - 2:00 am

  I own an Eldorado touring coupe, and trust me the looks are the only good traits. Since I bought this car the AC has went out three times and living in Florida AC is a must. Service Engine Soon Light goes on and off wheneever it wants, so do the digital sensors. The water hose belt gets tangled at least once a month and causes car to overheat even aftertaking it to the dealership to replace the belt and pulleys. I am disappointed in Cadillac for this one.

• 

  CTS HAPPY OWNER - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By HAPPY CTS OWNER - July 6 - 2:00 am

  RIDES SMOOTH

• 

  Great car... very under-rated! - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Downsize - July 5 - 2:00 am

  The person who posted on 4/13/03 must be nuts or probably drove the car into the ground. Giving it "4"s on the interior and exterior design--whyd you buy it? I recently purchased mine used and found it to be a GREAT buy. Orignally 36K and got it for $18K with only 9000 miles. Runs great, rides great, has a ton of features I didnt expect and never had a problem but then again I respect and take care of my vehicles.

• 

  good car - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By mr philipe - July 5 - 2:00 am

  this car is good

• 

  Best SUV ever made by GM. - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By J Singh - July 5 - 2:00 am

  It is the best SUV in its class, its fast and it has enough power.

• 

  Lots of bugs after 40k miles - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By bill1 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Lots of small problems which are expensive to replace. Difficult engine compartment in which to work.

• 

  Excellent Overall Vehicle - 1995 Cadillac Eldorado
  By McMasterson - July 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is amazing. To be able to out perform many other luxury cars on the road and still maintain a very comfortable ride while doing so. This car has extremely fast acceleration and excellent road sensing suspension. This car is very fun to drive all the time.

• 

  awesomely awesome car - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By jumpin josephine - July 3 - 2:00 am

  super nice, tons of power, love the bucket seats (2nd row), dash and controls very prestigious looking, very prestigious price, unsurpassed towing capabilities and capacities, often forget that you are towing a trailer, sometimes not such a good thing! best car i have had or will ever have! buy one and enjoy

• 

  Underrated Vehicle - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By rickmm - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 98 Catera new. I have 37k on it. Problems: recall on the timing belt and a minor coolant leak. I am sorry that Cadillac discontinued this vehicle. This car had many good reviews at its inception only to be followed by negative press in the area of reliability (mainly electrical issues). I have NOT experienced ONE electrical problem nor would I say the car is unreliable. To the contrary, the car has been excellent. I think this car is extremely underrated and as a result, a bargain. I would certainly buy one again. I wish Opel sold here.

• 

  Kicks Butt - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Vigla - July 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome! You wouldnt think this is a Cadillac at all... If this is the direction they are going then maybe we have something we Americans can be proud of other than just the Corvette. If Cadillac is looking to attract younger buyers theyve succeeded with this car. I have no complaints so far. The analog clock in the dash is unnecessary, would have liked more guages instead. Other than that, I just push the sport mode button and off I go!!!