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:

• 

  Great Bargain Luxury Sedan - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By Voltaire1313 - June 23 - 2:00 am

  The Catera is a victim of poor marketing by Cadillac and biased reviewers. The build quality is on par with Mercedes and BMW. The new CTS may be quicker in the 0-60 but has a long way to go before it could be conisdered a serious competitor to either of the other European sedans when it comes to quality of construction. The interior is quiet and well layed out with the exception of the power window switches. The Catera is perhaps the best used car bargain on the market today. It is the size of a BMW 5 series or Audie A6 at only half the price.

• 

  Satisfaction - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By Tennis Pro - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Good reliable transportation in style. Nothing exciting. Good acceleration and handling for a big vehicle

• 

  WORST CAR EVER BUILT - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Nestornajwa - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Purchased new as a leftover in 4/98 -- now I know why it didnt sell. Worst car I ever drove. Nothing but problems. Leaks, lights blinking for no reason, broken sensors, broken door locks, broken trunk locks, hoses, ignition, etc. coupled with truly TERRIBLE, indifferent service by Lindsay Cadillac in Virginia -- all of which made for a miserable owenership experience. This is why Cadillac will not exist in 10 years. Also: poor storage space, limited options on stereo system (corrected in later models), poor rear visibility.

• 

  Cadillac Style - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By caddyman - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Deville with less than 20K miles on it from a Jaguar dealership through a recent trade. I use it as a commuter car, driving mostly highway miles, and get approximately 23 miles per gallon with a 5.0 engine. Other than tires and oil changes and a recent brake job, I have had no other problems. It drives as if you are gliding on air and its quiet and comfortable leather. I have had Caddys in the past...Sevilles, Broughams, Fleetwoods but this one tops them all for reliability and comfort. I highly recommend this vehicle.

• 

  Northstar=exciting - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By Enzo - June 18 - 2:00 am

  i was skeptical of a car this heavy, but the STS can certainly move. dont let the big caddy image fool you, it will tear up backroads with ease

• 

  YES! - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By PTR - June 18 - 2:00 am

  The best car I have owned. I love the zip, engine sound, and handling. The polo green color attracts many looks, especially on the freeway. Im not sure people recognize the make, but they appear to like the look!

• 

  Caddie Review - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By kirkc - June 18 - 2:00 am

  This has been an excellent automobile for us. Most impressive of all its attributes are its safety features. We came round a corner and almost had a head-on collision with a semi. And the Deville reacted perfectly. Braking, steering, and suspension all functioned superbly as we had to leave the road through a dirt/gravel turnout. Slowed the car to a stop, changed underwear, and continued on our trip. Never thought much about safety before. Always think of it now.

• 

  Satisfied Caddy Owner - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By J.Davidson - June 17 - 2:00 am

  This 96 Cadillac SLS has been to the shop only 2 times both under warranty. one of them on tranny. other insignificant. Recent mileage on the road, 25.5. Very lively for its bulk. Quiet and comfortable. Drawbacks. Difficult to read instruments in daylite High initial price and high depreciation

• 

  MS 1995 - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Mark Stuart - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Mirrors, lights and trim poorly installed and fall off refularly. Transmission has been somewhat problematic with dealer service terrible. Too costly to have them flounder around charging for the wrong solutions repeatedly.

• 

  Great Car - 1995 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Kayshawn - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I like the older Seat better but it lack the Bose sound system that the other 96+ have. I would stay the 95 rides better and handle better then the 96+.