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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  1 Happy Car Owner - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By Maxie - August 10 - 2:00 am

  The first car I ever drove was a Cadillac Fleetwood and what I remember most about the vehicle was the ride. It floated along the roads. After owning other foreign and domestic cars, I purchased my first Cadillac, an SLS. While the SLS does not float like the Fleetwood, it is a great ride. This car is very responsive and handles well. Ive not had any problems with the vehicle using more oil than my other vehicle. Even on a long trip, the occupants were comfortable. Buying this car was a good decision.

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  Bad Cad Roadburner - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By McManus - August 10 - 2:00 am

  Probably too much of a vehicle for most "lite" Americans these days. All 300 horse hit the ground on request. Car hangs flat when flinging around turns to a surprising degree. Beautiful leather seats, nice wood trim. No mechanical problems even with the lead-foot thrashing it endures daily. I live in the Plains and dont spend a lot of time sucking exhaust in traffic jams.

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  Not Happy with this Car - 1999 Cadillac Escalade
  By ironhorse - August 7 - 2:00 am

  Car has basically new tires on it. I have spent the last 3 Fridays either at the dealership or tire shop trying to figure out why the car wobbles at 65-72 mph and 30 mpn. They are going to try another set. The windows creak still and the rear end still shudders on take off.Its an ok SUV but I am ready to trade it back in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  great car, love it. dependable ride - 1998 Cadillac DeVille
  By Chris Hill - August 6 - 2:43 am

  If you get the Deville de elegance. Be prepared to spend money if you switch to a aftermarket stereos.

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  more than a few problems - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By ppd1969 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive had to replace A/C compressor, have had electrical problems w/ windows, doors(remote) and trunk actuator, check oil level light never clears. Other than that is fine.

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  LLLLLLLLLLLemon - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By phy - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Waste of money big time. Last 8 months I spent $13,500 for repairs. Total time the car spent in the dealership- 71 days. Final result- I have a car with non-working transmission (after 3 transmission repairs in Cadillac of Las Vegas and total cost for them about $3,000) staying in my garage. I am tired of all this.

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  my car - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By cadillacman2003 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  i have had this car for more than a year and nothing has had to be replaced other than things under scheduled maintenance

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  The best ride - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By T HALL - August 3 - 2:00 am

  you know what Ive owned Chevrolet,GMC,jimmys and they all just fall apart .Several months after my purchase of GMC, I noticed rattling noise while driving. Sometimes I think the doors are going to fly open. Not a peaceful roadtrip vehicle! ever so comfortable this truck has the power with out all noise great on roadtrips and it has every thing you need in a truck but the only thing I mite not like about the truck is its so nice that you dont want to take it off roading .and the service that you get with a Cadillac theres no comparison .

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  The best car that I have ever own!!! - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By Tiger9 - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Sorry for the others who think that Cadillac is a car less luxurious than Mercedes, BMW and Audi!!! For me, THIS IS THE BEST CAR on luxury market!!! And for reliability, its EXCELLENT. When I drive my DTS, everybody look the car at each road corner with a smile!!! Some of them told me that this car is more beautiful than a S500 Mercedes or Jaguar S-type!!! Finaly, sorry for those who think that Cadillac isnt reliable and say a lot of bad things about this mark, you were just unlucky when you bought it!

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  2nd owner blues - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By ron Stecker - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car used in 98 with 35k miles now ahve 72k. Car looks great run good but had to replace struts at 65k miles. Cost $3k, yes $3000 also had the battery go bad and the dealership charged us $100 to read the computer...our fault we dont deal with them anymore. The car also depreciates more than average