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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  Catera: Surprisingly Good! - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By GadaliaS - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new 11/98 and with the exception of a few recalls, I have had no mechanical problems with this car. I have 50,000 miles and recently replaced the tires and aligned the wheels. It is fun to drive, looks classy and gives good gas mileage on the road. The AM radio sucks, as well as the coffee cup holders but the car has been excellent!

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  Eldorad OH NO! - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By therob - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought it used.Seemed like a solid dependable car,but the radiator started leaking(cheap plastic).Then the check engine light came on.While waiting for the diagonsis the mechanics guessed that it might be a big problem with some oil valve something.It wasnt, just a clogged EGR tube which they said was typical.It uses oil, gets less than anticipated mpg,A/C cools less than a Caddy should,and warning lights go off and on without rhyme or reason.The A/C conked out in midwinter and I may not bother with fixing.The turn signal lever needed to be fixed,too.I am not satisfied and wish I had heard about these problems before deciding on a Caddy.

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  Was a great car - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Mhoebener - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Our car only went in the shop under warrenty and once for the timing belt to be replaced after warrenty and they did that free. I say this was great because my wife has since totaled it.She ran a red light and although the car is now trash she was unhurt. This is one tough car. There were things about the car I did not like ex. disposable rotors eeek and the cost of the tires. But all and all this is one safe car.

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  Look Elsewhere For A Used Car - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By Buzz Lightyear - April 29 - 2:00 am

  I put a lot of money into this car. When it worked, it worked well. It just didnt work well for very long or very often. Finally, 3 weeks after putting another $500 into maintenance (and telling dealer about idle problems and handling problems) the cars "Check Suspension System" warning came on and driving the car became like riding a bucking bull.

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  KID CAR/LUXURY VEHICLE - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By MLYNNESMITH - April 29 - 2:00 am

  I HAD BEEN DRIVING SEDAN DEVILLES FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS BEFORE CHANGING TO THE ESCALADE. I WATCHED THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE THIRD SEAT BECAME AVAILABLE, THEN I BOUGHT IT. I MUST SAY THAT I WAS A BIT SCHEPTICAL AS I WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE FROM A CAR TO A SUV. IN RETROSPECT, I AM GLAD I DID. I DO NOT BELIEVE I GAVE UP MY "caddie ride", NOR DID I GIVE UP MUCH OF MY ENGINE PERFORMANCE OR MANEUVERABILITY.

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  The car - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By sethbaklor - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Cadilac makes people think that thwy are old, but once you dive a Deville youll forget all about that. One time I was driving on the highway to see familf when we ran over a fullsized ladder. I didnt know we had till the person driving pointed it out. To me it felt like we had just ran over a squirrl or something. The car also has a large amount fo pick up. The car is quiet. In the inside it is very nice. I would definatlly recommend this car.

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  2001 Cadillac Seville STS Review - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Hudson Jeff - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Acceleration seems slow and the car feels too heavy. The front wheel drive with 300 horsepower causes the traction control to come on constantly in slick conditions. I replaced the factory Goodyears with Michelins and it improved. Lots of little problems need fixing, thank goodness it’s under warranty. The interior is nice and comfortable and the sound system is good. Lots of standard features. Definitely not a driver’s car. Huge first year depreciation hit. Consider a purchase it performance is secondary to comfort. Even smarter is buying one a year or two old and avoid the depreciation hit.

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  The comfort car of the year - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Tony Evans - April 28 - 2:00 am

  This car is by far the most comfortable riding vehicle I have been in. Im a 63" 200+ lbs guy and have always been uncomfortable in a car, especially in the backseat. After buying a Deville and driving it 14 hours to my house, then riding for 2 hours in the backseat, Im convinced this is the only way to travel. The car seperates you from the harsh commuter environment and is a pleasure to drive.

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  Smart Buy - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By rkelon - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Excellent truck, appears to have excellent build quality, rides alot like a German vehicle. Tight steering, minimum noise, we like to drive it. Could use more real wood and less plastic wood. Very good job Cadillac, vehicles like this will restore the Cadillac prestige! I hope service is included...need to ask the sales person.

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  Look into a Navigator - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By not_telling - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Basically just a "dressed up" Chevy suburban. looks too much like the 40k suburban but while its around 55k+. need yo put in more features/gadgets like the Lincoln. should have shift on the fly 4x4 so you can engage just 2wd instead of AWD.