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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  Maybe not perfect, but something special - 1992 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Viclane - October 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the first Cadillac Ive owned, but Ive had the opportunity to drive several. I love this car, it has class and smart lines at the same time. Mine has a few problems to fix, like the ABS control module and computer ride, but the performance of the V8 is outstanding and even with shocks that need replacing it rides great. The Bose Gold CD system is great except I have one rear speaker that is bad. The handling of this large car is outstanding for its size.

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  good car - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Mr B - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Only had to due oil changes. No problems whatsoever

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  True American Luxury - 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By dunbar - September 30 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is excellent in every way except for driving over rippled surfaces that are close together. The suspension seems loose when this happens but that is what GM intended. I owned a Mercury Cougar XR7 with a much firmer suspension. Maybe thats why the Fleetwoods suspension seems rubbery at times.

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  True American Luxury - 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Dunbar - September 30 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is excellent in every way except for driving over rippled surfaces that are close together. The suspension seems loose when this happens but that is what GM intended. I owned a Mercury Cougar XR7 with a much firmer suspension. Maybe thats why the Fleetwoods suspension seems rubbery at times.

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  this is the car - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By mdcardinals12 - September 30 - 2:00 am

  thos car is awesome.we thinkin about gettin the chrysler pacifica, but this one blew it away with the powerful v8.i suggest this car over any other suv. its not a big boat, but still has the comfort of one.it is probably the best handling suv there is.

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  GM Quality? - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Rudy Moon - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 2000 DeVille for 2 1/2 years, and its a fine car when it is not in for repairs. Unfortunately, it spends too much time in the shop, mostly for problems related to initial construction and component failure - not dealer service & support. Ive been stranded twice ... ONSTAR doesnt work when you have electrical problems .... but its fun riding 100 miles in a tow truck with a "good ol boy". Im not sure I can afford this car after the warranty runs out.

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  CTS Hits the Mark! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Tom Hayes - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Just got our CTS and its everything wed heard about. What an experience! The handling, ride and performance are better than Id hoped for. This car will definitely bring down the "average age of a Cadillac owner!"

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  Catera - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By R Knox - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed every minute of driving this car - it is pure road joy and great in traffic also

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  Escalade - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By MikePoo - September 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the most incredible vehicle Ive ever driven bar none.

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  great first car - 1990 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Robert Prange - September 26 - 2:00 am

  My dad gave me his caddy and I was thinking oh great and old slow car. I replaced the main brain and can now get my old slow caddy up to 120 in about 25 secs or so. Thats pretty good for an old mans car. Really though Ill never get rid of my car.