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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  1992 cadillac eldorado - 1992 Cadillac Eldorado
  By houston1953 - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a 92 eldo w/ 64,570 miles. Repairs:replace motor mount and serpentine belt.

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  do not buy - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By rosievig - November 17 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle with a warranty of 100,000 miles ....thank goodness we did. Apparently there is an engineering defect that causes the aluminum blocks and heads to leak at the gasket area...this is inherent with the design. We have had both of the heads repaired and new inserts for the head bolts installed in the block. This would have cost $2400. Pity the poor soul who doesnt have the warrenty!!!!

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  love it - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By myalias - November 16 - 2:00 am

  At 119 000 miles,the only replacements have been strut mounts,and front rotors and pads.Great car,if more people drove it that were my age/they probably would buy(early 30s).Concours is a great car/and more headroom than an sts(lets you get a moonroof!)(6"2)

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  awesome truck - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By eshan - November 16 - 2:00 am

  i love everything about this 2003 escalade truck. its perfect for my lifestyle.

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  NEVER BUY A LINCOLN - 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By BIG DADDY - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY 93 CADDY. I HAVE 179,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A TUNE UP. FAST AS A SON OF A GUN. I KEEP IT VERY CLEAN, I HAVE VOUGE TYRES AND STAR WIRE TRU SPOKE WHEELS ON IT. IT ALWAYS TURN HEADS WHEN I DRIVE IT ON NICE DAYS.I LOVE THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE ABS. I HATE MY 99 LINCOLN TOWN CAR.

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  Satisfying Fun Vehicle - 1990 Cadillac Allante
  By skinsfan - November 15 - 2:00 am

  This was once a bad ass car. Initially selling for $55,000 and up. The engine is a thing of beauty a durable strong 4.5L V8 with lots of power. The weakpoints on this vehicle would be the convertible top (was not manufactured durably enough as it leaks). The electronic system also has occasional flaws. And, because it comes standard with a Bose sound system, if you want to change anything, you must remove the entire system. All in all a very fun car to own, but not recommended for a day to day driving vehicle.

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  Didnt know what Id been missing! - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By Ira in NC - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive had a few vehicles in my short life but Ive never had a real fine automobile until I bought my Cadillac. Its easy to clean and always eye catching to everyone who looks my way. Ill always be a Cadillac Man!

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  Cadillac Heritage - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By dveer - November 14 - 2:00 am

  I traded in a 1996 DeVille for my 2001, so I use the 96 as my basis for comparison. I do miss the land yacht that was the 96. The 2001 has less elbow room than the 96. The two inches lost in width makes a big difference in the interior. OK, enough complaining. Once on the road, I find that the 2001 rides great! The tighter chassis set up gives the car a much more sporty feel. My gas mileage is still improving. (about 20 mpg overall)! Very Happy with the car.

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  NO MORE GM - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By NO MORE GM - November 13 - 2:00 am

  POOR QUALITY FOR THE PRICE. HAVE REPLACED FUEL PUMP, ENGINE MOUNTS AND THE BODY MOLDING IS FALLING OFF.

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  Like a living room - 1991 Cadillac Brougham
  By Caddielover - November 13 - 2:00 am

  This car is the personification of luxury. There is no other car on the road that rides, drives and feels so wonderful. It is quiet, reliable and with the 5.7 engine can overtake any car. Spacious and dependable, good gas mileage and room to relax during the long drives. The most space available inside the car and the trunk of any car ever made. Even after a 126,000 miles it is still purring like a kitten and needs only required maintenance. No other car like it!