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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  My 2000 Catera - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By mathison - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Catera, the first being a 1997. I really liked that car, although I had a few annoying problems with it. I have had none of those problems with the 2000 model, and have thoroughly enjoyed driving the car. It has the road manners of a German sport sedan without the premium price.

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  Genuine Road Car - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By Bill Hooven - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is safe, reliable and, above all, just plain fun to drive. Cant believe road-handling .. . point it and it goes there. Cornering is secure and confidence-building. Mileage excellent, and on regular unleaded! Seats especially comfortable - all day drives no problem. This one is for the person who loves quality and road manners.

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  Only knock is the alignment - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By rj3415 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  This STS has been the best car Ive owned. The performance in rain or snow has been outstanding. MPG on the highway has been closer to 25. My only negative has been the constant attention required for tire rotation and alignment. The alignment on all four wheels needs review every 90 days during winter and spring months.

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  CADDY REVIES` - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By DIRTY DON - April 20 - 2:00 am

  PERFECT AND CHERRY IN ALL WAYS.

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  owner - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By leo - April 20 - 2:00 am

  exellent road car. supperior comfort,superb styling

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  No More Imports For Me! - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Charles Limberg - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I have owned all of the European cars out there. I had to be a Yuppie! Big deal. This car is a 2 ton monster on the road. American luxury at its finest. Strong Northstar engine. I am 38 years old loving every minute in my car.

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  92 Seville-Nice car but plenty of minors - 1992 Cadillac Seville
  By iadrew - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for 7 1/2 years. It had 7k when we bought it and just turned over 70k. For the most part, its been reliable. I love the power and the ride, but Ive had plenty of minor problems that annoy me and add up over time. Ignition problems, power window & antenna problems, CD player problems, an oil leak... Repairs for these items ranged from $80-400 each making none of them too major, but they add up and diminish faith in GM & Cadillac. Now I have an A/C problem with a quote of $1100 to repair. That may be the end of this relationship.

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  "Should I" or "Shouldnt I" ? - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By Kevin B - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Like many other car buyers I like to do a little research. I checked on the vehicle recall list (nothing). Checked "carfax" (nothing). I read quite a few reviews, and for every review that gave it favorable remarks, there were 2 comparing it to foriegn cars, and knocking the Caddy. I like the style, but didnt want something I would be dissatisfied with-in a few months ("should I" or "shouldnt I")? This voice kept playing over and over in my head. I figured with only 26K miles, it was still under warranty, so I took the plunge. I am glad I did, I am very happy with the car.

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  1999 Catera - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By mello - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I have found this car to really be a fun car to drive. Its acceleration is good and has the power to get you where you want to go. Ive gotten used to the styling to where I actually smile when I look at it. The thing that I find most annoying is the placement of the cup holders. Ive driven many cars in my life and that should be the biggest problem I ever have. The service from Cadillac is excellent as I left my lights on and the battery died. They repalced the battery and sent me on my way. Now thats service, white gloves and all.

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  Love the Escalade - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Gary Alegre - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I am very please with this vehicle. I have had it for 8 months. It is very comfortable, has numerous safety features, and is very powerful. The fuel economy ave 13.7 mpg and is a little low.