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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  I own One - 1990 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Carl Johnson - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I love the car, I have had problems with heat and air conditioning

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  WORST CAR IVE EVER OWNED!!!!! - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By SCOTT NELMS - April 14 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR HAS LEMON WRITTEN ALL OVER IT! BEEN IN SHOP OVER 30 DAYS WITH MAJOR PROBELMS. HASNT STARTED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, MAJOR A/C PROBLEMS, HEAD GASKET BLOWN OUT, FRONT TIRES WORN OUT AT 10,000 MILES, INJECTOR PROBLEM, TERRIBLE GAS MILEAGE. AND ZERO ASSISTANCE FROM CADILLAC IN TAKING CAR BACK!!!! DO NOT BUY ONE

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  Cadi from Robbie - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By robinson - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Been very comfortable windshield replaced from rock damage in 1998. air conditioner repaired in 1999. Ex gas recycle valve replaced in 2003. Brake rotors were resurfaced in 2000. Routine maintenance been performed at dealership and on schedule.

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  Love my Caddy - 2000 Cadillac Eldorado
  By RubyRed - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Excellent handling car! Looks good and feels great. Not bad on gas mileage for the size of the engine. This is a very smooth ride.

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  love my Seville - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By agalli - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Seville and they have all been great. Performance is terrific. When I press the gas pedal it goes right now! Interstate gas milage approaches 30 mpg!

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  Too Many Defects - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Becketave - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I have owned a 94 and a 97 Concours (now the DTS), and this 01 is much better in handling and comfort. BUT, there have been too many defects. Had to replace entire engine wiring harness (took a week), steering rack, chip controlling the steering feedback to Stabilitrac system, heated seat wiring in front (burned out), seat belt tensioners - plus a few other build problems. Gas mileage in city about 14.5 - hgwy about 22, but a real joy to drive, especially on treacherous country backroads. Unless Cadillac (& all GM) get on the backs of their suppliers to improve quality control, they will never compete with the imports- class for class-.

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  Great Car - 1999 Cadillac Escalade
  By EscaladeLady - April 7 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car. I have had NO trouble with my escalade, other than that the back windows only roll down about 5 inches. I just wish it was a little more distinctive than the tahoe

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  I love my Cadillac - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By Laurie Georgeson - April 6 - 3:00 am

  My car looks like a later model than 1995 because I take excellent care of it. I have it serviced every three months. Practically new Michelin tires. Driven my a "little old lady." I would just like a little newer model. Ive had many compliments on my car. Love the color (shale).

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  Crapillac Crapera - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By amy29 - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Over the past 2.3 years, I have had this car in the shop over 10 times. I also have had problems with the water pump, leaky oil cooler, leaky gasket (which caused $1200 worth of damage), tires replaced twice, new front brakes, extensive wear on the seats, 3 new headlights, and a computer failure.

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  Not as good as I expected - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Ha Ha - April 4 - 2:00 am

  This one was from fleet, I got it after 29,000 miles driven fro about $25k. Well, very fun to drive and no complain about the performance and comfortablness, plus a good image. Problems started with loose glass part on left-front side, service engine signal turns on for no particular reason, and a recall so for firing re-programming. Though still under warranty, but, would be long. I have to drive as less as possible to control the milage under 40,000. The Cady Could be better than what I have gotten.