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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  99 STS - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By CHILLERMAN - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I drove a Concurs prior to the STS. I GOT OUT OF THYE CONCURS AT 235,000 miles. The STS is a delight in every way an automobile should be, however be prepared for a lot smaller car, especially in the rear seat and trunk. Every Northstar owner I have talked with will agree these things drink oil. It does not show up on the garage floor or the tail pipe, but always carry two quarts in your trunk.

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  Last of the Big Boys - 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Bobby K - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Great Ride, what can you say, its that last of the big rear wheel drive bad boys. With the Corvette engine and the ability to tow 3.5 tons!! With room for 6 and a trunk that will swallow at least 3 bodies (maybe more). With this car I cannot understand why the mini- vans are so popular. Wish mine had a moon roof, but otherwise I am extremely pleased!!!

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  etc eldorado - 1999 Cadillac Eldorado
  By player - July 22 - 2:00 am

  luxry with performance will sum up this vehicle in one sentence. bought this vehicle used with 25,000 miles 2 yrs old and was nothing but a nightmare the dealer was wonderful took care of all my problems but got tired of going there every month. To many electrical problems (car wouldnt start,windows2x,power seat,cruise control 3x, stabilty control 4 attempts before it got fixed,etc. traded for something more reliable

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  Seville is the top O the Line - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By MikemiM - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This was a birthday gift to me after a Nissan Altima. I wish it had the extra 25HP like the STS but it seems strong and dependable. I am not afraid to take curves at any speed and the ride is silky smooth. After months I still receive compliments from strangers! Everything works as advertised especially the Bose stereo! It is the best radio/CD/CD changer that I have ever used.

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  Cadi Eldorado Coupe - 1992 Cadillac Eldorado
  By GLSwenson - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Fantastic, comfortable cruising car with great power and sound system!

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  Bad Brakes - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By Mr. President - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I think this is one of the nicest looking cars on the market. Engine performance is great. Problems: Brake rotors, brake rotors, brake rotors! Im tired of getting them replace and turned. Cadillac doesnt seen to care about this problem and their customer service is powerless therefore useless! Also the goodyear tires have to go.

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  CTS California Edition - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By TJS CTS - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I love the car. It handles great; looks are awesome. There is no in- between with this car. People either love it or hate it. It definitely turns heads as you go by. My parents and grandparents drive Cadillacs, but this in no way is comparable to the boat ride of the DTS and STS. It gives the BMW and the Lexus a good run for the money. Its nice to see Detroit back in the game.

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  Great Look`s and..... well, that´s it!!! - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By Patrick.ws - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but problems. If this car is 10 years or older.... SELL IT!!! Transmission, Electronic, Body.... like it said, nothing but problems! I expected more from Cadillac! :-(

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  93 sedan deville - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By rvhjr - July 18 - 2:00 am

  My 3rd used Sedan Deville. Buy them wwith low mileage-drive for 3-4 years and repeat. Much better than new ford or chevrolet. Only problem with this one was electronic struts-expensive to replace. Great ride, good power, plenty of room.

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  Great Truck - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Time Out - July 18 - 2:00 am

  My second escalde, A pure pleasure to drive.