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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  super, love it - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By kern - June 2 - 10:00 am

  What a great auto quiet, smooth, and quick. Everyone likes the styling.

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  Classic Style, Comfort and Power - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Young Cadillac Owner - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Im a 34 year old male and love my 99 Cadillac Concours (black/black). This is my second Cadillac, Im hooked! I will keep this baby running in tip-top shape for as long as she keeps loving me. The interior room is amazing with just the right amount of wood trim and all leather seats...beautiful. Even at 44,000 pampered miles she wants to GO, GO, GO! The Traction Control is worth its weight in gold…which kept me on the road in a recent sudden down pour. I could not be more satisfied with the quality of this vehicle and the high level of service and support from my local Cadillac dealership!!

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  One fine car - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By lgretired - June 2 - 2:00 am

  This Cadillac is a great automobile, quiet, fast, and comfortable. On a recent 2000 mile trip to Florida it got 30+ mpg while cruising at speed limit or slightly above. It looks good and impresses everyone. It impresses me.

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  Buy a STS - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By Olive oyl - May 31 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy my Cadillac, and looking for a new car for my wife the new car salespeople are always quiet when I say I drive a STS. They have a lot to say about my wife and her car which is a Mercury Sable (which has been a wonderful car).

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  my car - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By enver kamencic - May 31 - 2:00 am

  this car is the best

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  Dream Car - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Lexsam - May 29 - 2:00 am

  This is truely a dream car. Bought it with 45,000 miles and got lucky it had a certified warantee 6 years, 100,000 miles that was found when doing vehicle check at dealership. Wow this is an amazing car, lots of power, all the features, and so fun to drive. I installed a CD changer ($125), most come pre-wired in truck. Also installed garage door opener in prewired overhead console($35). Both were found on e-bay. The pearl white w/ gold is so elegant.

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  95 Deville - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By pgdrews - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Overall, a very nice comfy automobile. Great family car. My wife loves it. People think that it looks expensive, yet even though new, it was $36,000+, we only paid normal retail of $7000+ 8 years later. Still feels, looks, and smells like new!

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  Great Used Choice - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By billc - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I picked this car up as a lease return. I bought it instead of a new vehicle of another model and now I understand why Cadillac is the number one American Luxury Car. My car is used primarily for pleasure trip and aome short trips around town, but at 3 years old it still turns heads and gets compliments everywhere we go. I am sold on driving a Caddy and the dealerships sales and service have been outstanding. I am treated just as if I was the first owner who purchased it new.

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  Escalade - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By john Ingdfer - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Need better rims on the vehicle

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  2002 Cadillac Deville - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By edlisk - May 26 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the finest auto I have ever owned... quality, outstanding gas mileage, comfort, quiet with superb ride and handling!!