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:

• 

  The best vehicle in the world - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Tiffany Schuffenecke - December 26 - 2:00 am

  i love this truck so much and want to get another one cause it rocks so much and is the bomb baby i went to florida and virginia in this instead of flying cause i love it so much

• 

  Awesome Motor - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By caddy lover - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought used, already had a/c comp. and 1 strut changed. Has been great to me so far, by far the best ride and motor I have ever owned

• 

  Iffy - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Mike43 - December 25 - 2:00 am

  The day after I bought the car at 43,500 miles the transmission went out. The dealer did fix it, but still lags on a cold start from 1st to 2nd gear. The handling of the car is good and the power is sufficient. The car engine sounds great and the car loves to purr and hum at highway speeds which the Catera thrives on. The car is fun and exciting to drive. I just had the right tie rod replaced and there is a rattle on the left side, the repair place said its fine. I hope it will last 100,000 miles with low maintenance costs????

• 

  Good try, Cadillac - 1991 Cadillac Allante
  By AllanteLover - December 25 - 2:00 am

  I really like my Caddy. The car has had its problems with the conv. top, but nothing that couldnt be fixed. The only problem I have with the car is the seats. The seats seem a little too stiff for me but I get used to them. This car is a major head turner and their arent a lot out there anymore. Its my baby I never had.

• 

  Ill be glad when its gone - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Kcsmom98 - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I found a really cute Catera for 15,000 with 24000 miles and thought I was getting a good deal. I was very wrong. Since the date of purchase, about 18 months ago, its been in the shop numerous times. Once for recalls, then back again because the belts that were replaced were squeaking, the exhaust rattles, the steering wheel squeaks when you turn, it leaves a "mystery puddle" on the garage floor everyday, revs too high when casual driving. Overall I would NOT recommend this car to anyone. It is cute to look at but that is it not worth the headache.

• 

  Run, dont walk away from this one - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Vinman - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This was by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I constantly had the car in the shop for nuisance repairs to the brakes, electrical system, and finally a completely dead engine. Anyone considering buying one of these cars MUST have an extended warranty because you WILL use it. Unfortunately the first engine gasket blowout that I had leaked oil onto the spark plugs and wires. Those parts are not covered under warranty because they are maintenance items, yet cost $800.00 to replace. Whatever happened to $5 plugs and $50 wires? In addition, I thought that Cadillac (Opel) engines should at least last more than 60,000 miles before deemed DOA.

• 

  catera turbo 2000 - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By john Age - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Apart from tire trouble on rear wheels requiring replacement of 2 within 20000 miles there has been little problem. A recall on the pump system affecting the radiaror has been implemented wihout trouble.

• 

  Awesome Car! - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Blockhead - December 22 - 2:00 am

  This si the best car ever! I looked at the 2003 navigator and it just looked cheeply made! when i saw the Escalade i was amazed at the quality and the interior was fantastic!

• 

  1992 cadillac eldorado - 1992 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Jose Castaneda - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I been driving eldorado (w/ 64000 miles) over 2 months and is been a lot of fun. I like the eldorado so much that i just purchase anoht one for my son. My son wants mine any i will keep the new one (only 57000 miles). The price of 92 eldorados are going down and there is the perfect time to buy them while they last.

• 

  Stying is the greatest - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By John Feldi - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Always loved the style and performance. I believe since Cad had probably targeted this car for extinction, they didnt put anymore engineering/technical features which should have been in than necessary to close out the model.