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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  Just Great - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Wcol - January 17 - 2:00 am

  I just love this car. On the open road I cant think of another vehicle that can even comes close. Its almost like sitting at home in that big stuffed chair you love so well.

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  So Far, So Good - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By vmartin - January 16 - 2:00 am

  In the 600 miles Ive driven it, I love the handling and the pick up. Fast car.

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  Owners review with auto experience. - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Ronnie Coles - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I like mine,I give it 2 big thumbs up. However, I believe that the electric gadgets is to much to go wrong. Its the closest American made car to the C- 5 Vette, in a "4dr" you can get. From the deep floor pans for leg room to the 300hp Northstar its 1st class sport luxury.Brand new mine ran 15.03 @ 96 MPH in the 1/4 mile.I have raced and BEAT many Mustang GTs on the street from a roll-on. With its massive weight its not a trill outta the hole but once you get it moving, HANG-ON!Now that mine is broke-in im certain it would run 14.80s or better.

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  Fun to drive - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By Cads fan - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car for the money.Good handling.

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  Awsome Ride - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By lyn-n-lyle - January 13 - 2:00 am

  It has been my dream to own the new body style since 1990. What great lines and who can beat Diamond White for beauty. I drove this car back to Washington after purchasing it in Montana.I gave it the test run through the canyons along I-90 at 90-100mph. It layed down and rode like the wind. Too bad they quit making the Eldorado. I will probably always keep this car since they are no longer being made. Would only sell it if I could buy the ETC in Diamond White. Any sellers out there?

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  Eldorado ETC, Build to GO! - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By NormMike - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new. I was driving an older Eldorado Touring Coupe. This 2001 ETC is a sporting dream, with full passenger seating (front and back), and room for my business stuff! This machine talks to the road and provides the driver with full control of steering, unbelievable power and road control. It is a sleeper, few people know what the car is and they do look at it. The 2001 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe (ETC) is GMs Corvette for people needing extra seating and space!

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  A car from another time - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By jtrender - January 12 - 2:00 am

  My wife still insists driving a full size two door luxury coupe. The eldorado is the only one remaining. The car is unreliable, had to be towed twice. It is largely unchanged from the 1992 model!

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  Escalade the cool ride. - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Eloise - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Much better gas mileage than expected, fun to drive, love the powerful engine.

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  A bittersweet experience - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Straightpipe - January 9 - 2:00 am

  After having the worst experience of my life with Classic Cadillac which was only exceeded by Bill Green a manager at Cadillac Customer No Service who told me "I report to no one". To me the new DTS lacks some features that have been lost since my 92 Deville was built such as good quality working visors, seats that cradle the body and a more comfortable road ride. I also miss the exterior light monitors and the automatic pull down trunk. The $2K Onstar system which I did not order is a joke. The 92 feels considerably more responsive and powerful than the DTS. The DTS also seems to have less rear leg room and trunk space than my 92.

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  Nice Car - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By Rudophb - January 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car used about one and half years ago with 82000 miles now the car has 94000 miles. Use the mostly for long trip since it is more comfortable than my newer cars. It is a used car and I will be getting new brake pads and tires this year.