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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  Fantastic Ride - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By da - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I have the ETC. 300HP instead of 275. I drove both. It sure feels like a lot more than a 25HP difference! At 35mph I can break the front tires loose on dry pavement. I got 28.99mpg driving from OKC to Branson with cruise set at 75mph. Better than my brothers Mazda 323 4 cylinder!! course he had problems keeping the little bugger at 75 >) Only complaint I have is the power antenna broke. Its a Cadillac so you can guess the replacement cost... yep A BUNCH!

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  2000 SLS Not Bad - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Pattrick - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Very dependable, nimble, gutsy, clean lines, comfortable inside, tight steering and ride. I am very pleased with the car. Althought lacking the materialship of the MZ/BMW, it lacks the price tag as well. I would recommend this car for the price.

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  buy junk--- by american - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By r kitchen - September 10 - 2:00 am

  lemon from the beginning. Poor quality in assembly, poor dealer support, in fact dealer support borders on legal theft. attitude of customer NO service deplorable. Very uncomfortable for extended trips

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  good vehicle - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By Erma - September 8 - 2:00 am

  this vehicle drives and rides good,classie vehicle air conditioning and heating could be inproved more comfort for each passenger

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  Nickel and Dime - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Wammie - September 5 - 2:00 am

  This car can nickel and dime you to death. In 2 years of owning this car I have had problems with... Suspension, Transmission, Driver Seat Conroll Module, Passenger Door Lock, Trunk Pull Down (Worst car feature ever), Starter, Electric windows.

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  Sweet Ride - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By e8retired91 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Purchased about 5 months ago and put on 5000 miles so far. This is an impressive car especially with the Crimson Red Pearl paint. I get lots of favorable comments from almost everyone. Awesome power and very good fuel mileage for a 3900 pound car. Very comfortable and fun to drive. Have noticed it uses about 1/2 quart of oil every 1000 miles but no smoke or leaks. Not pleased about rapid depreciation...its worth much more.

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  My SRX 4 Should have stayed in FLORIDA - 2013 Cadillac SRX
  By Johnny Intrieri - September 4 - 3:14 am

  Ive owned a 2006 STS since brand new. Love my baby. Moved Upstate N.Y. My wife had a 2005 STS fully loaded. Had to trade in her 05 cause both cars are rear wheel drive. We couldnt get up our driveway. Bought a 11 Equinox. Great in snow. Traded in Equinox for a 15 Model. Only we leased this one. Loved it! Great in snow! Lease ended. Saw a 2013 SRX 4 on the lot. Black & Beautiful. 22,000 miles. First snow fall yesterday. Our SRX 4 came from Florida. Well our Caddy was boating all over the Thruway! Scary!! Just bought this beauty in August. Hate to trade it in. The SRX 4 is not made for SNOW! Very dissatisfied. Needless to say, my 2006 STS stays put in the snow. Cadillac let me down. The boating feeling was very uneasy. Ill give the SRX 4 one more chance. Will keep you posted.

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  JXA/SLS - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By JXA - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Handles great, hugs curves excellently, great pickup power & steady smooth highway driving. Looks brand new, shines like a mirror and the inside is inpeckable. Only has 27, 800 miles. Last years mileage was 4,200!

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  awsome car - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By Rapidman - September 2 - 2:00 am

  As a former Mercedes SL driver and Porsche 911 driver, I was pleasantly surprised to have so much road feel in this Concours. The 300 HP also is a delight to drive. Was unhappy with the lack of an in dash CD player, however found a Bose on e-bay from a newer model and fits great (a dealer needs to re-code the deck). The body design is attractive, without the goggle eyed front end of the o1s

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  Dont get caught - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Mad as Hell - August 31 - 2:00 am

  My father has purchased nothing but Cadillacs for as long as I can remember. You can imagine how excited I was to purchase my first. Low mileage and every feature I wanted. Well, it would be nice to drive the car instead of repairing all the time. Leaks in power steering, ABS, Traction control and to top it off $400 for brake pads. This car has been a nightmare. I want out and cant get enough for it to pay off the loan!