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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  CADILLAC STS 97 - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By mcGOO - November 3 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR LEFT ME STRANDED 4 TIMES. OIL LEAKED OUT COMPLETELY. ALWAYS GET EXTENDED WARRANTY YOULL NEED IT NO LEES TAN EVERY 3 MONTHS. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS CAR, I ASKED DEALER TO BUY IT BACK AND THEY OFFERED ME HALF THE MARKET VALUE! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CADILLAC!

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  Unibody Cadillacs are Bad Cars - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By 1995 Cadillac - November 3 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1991 that stalled while I was driving it so I traded it in with 65,000 miles to buy the 1995 as no one could repair the hazzardous problem. The 1995 deville did the exact same thing at 73,000 miles and it stalled while your driving it at highway and local speeds. This is a hazzard that all cars should be recalled. Horrible cars that look great. Buy a Lincoln towncar, they go forever and are safer cars.

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  #1 - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Escalade04 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  The cadillac escalade is not just an extriordinary suv it has the power and luxury of like a mercedes

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  Best SUV by far - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Buy this car-NOW - November 1 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the best SUV I have ever owned, and I have owned them all. Better than my Mercedes G500, my H2, my 2003 Navigator, and my BMW X5. If you want the best in luxury, comfort, and power, then look no further.

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  STS Comfort and Style - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Caddy_man - October 30 - 2:00 am

  2000 Seville STS has been a joy to drive in comfort and style. The instuments with computer options for each driver are exceptional. Seat comfort for all passengers is supurb including four dual level seat warmers. Sound system with CD cartridge and in-dash is excellent. Computer adjusting ride sensors work to perfection. No mechanical problems.

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  Catera is totally unrealiable - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Heavenly - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had my transmission replaced already. The car still seems like its struggling to accellerate. The antifreeze leaks constantly. Imperial Leasing refuses to let me turn the car in early. My moms friend had one she purchase brand new she had so many problems she got rid of it after 18 months but she took a huge loss because she had put a sizable down payment on it.

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  I had expected much more from a Cadillac - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By BigSix - October 28 - 2:00 am

  When I bought the "top of the line" Cadillac, I thought I was receiving, the best American Made Car I could get. Boy, are we in trouble. After 14 months, I have a service repair history about 10 feet long. I have had my car in 15-20 times, all for problems I would not have expected in a $54K car. For example, broken plastic "wood" pieces, rattles, squeaks, computer replacement/reprogramming, power steering, motor mount, transmission, and brakes!! For a car that is advertised as a "race car", I havent had a set of pads or rotors that have lasted longer than 5000 miles!! Ive put at least 10000 miles on rental DeVilles since I bought this *New* STS!

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  excellent handling FAST - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By laura marletta - October 27 - 9:40 pm

  what a great vehicle. fast,stylish,comfort what more can you ask for. handles like no other vehicle. great gas milage for an suv. passed on the 3rd seat. no leg room.

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  womens point of view - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Mary Red - October 26 - 10:00 am

  Classy all around vehicle! Gets lots of looks and comments. Has ample accelration when needed. Many useful features including Onstar. We are a first time buyer in this style and will consider as a first choice when buying again. But happiness with this car is to extreme; and driving adventure is just plain estatic!

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  First and Last Caddy - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By clark6630 - October 26 - 2:00 am

  I have been a GM family member for 30 years and finally decided to buy what I thought was its best product--caddy deville. I like the power of the 32v Northstar, like the comfort of the interior(heated seats and all), the exterior is still growing on me--too much plastic/fiberglass/average paint. The sound system is okay--hides the engine noise when the A/C is on or during acceleration. Instruments are not impressive, but located in good places. Should have opted for the DTS. Column shift still growing on me too. Still should have gotten the DTS.