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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  Missing the Luxury Boat - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By John DiPilla - March 26 - 2:00 am

  The Luxury Flagship for GM kinda misses the mark on quality. During the short ownership time (3.5 months) several significant mechanical issues were noted, not promptly fixed, with causes only the factory could correct (I cant blame the dealer). One issue took so long to repair even the "new - and free" loaner I had while waiting for mine to be repaired had the problem...

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  Great Bang for the Buck!!! - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By mutbreath - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for several factors including I must say the 0% interest and the deals that were to be found due to the fac that this car was discontinued. I have had no major problems over the first 7000 miles and it is truly fun to drive. It could use a little more off the line acceleration but it is truly the "Caddy that Ziggs". I would reccommend testing one for your self if you can still find them. Especially the Sport model. The larger wheels and stiffer suspension makes this car long for the open road.

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  2001 etc - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Ron Cart - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The 2001 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe is the best looking car on the market today. Turn the key to start and you will immediately feel the quality of this fine car. Watch the tach to see if it is running. The starter hardly makes a sound. Acceleration and power are excellent. Drive it gently at freeway speed and gas mileage will be well above 20mpg. I owned a 93 eldo for over 4 years then sold to a neighbor. That was not a good move but now the new one I intend to keep at least the next 10 years.

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  STS 2000 - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Rhale - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Have had several problems with car one of which had to contact customer relations after waiting several months to see zone rep. there was no sound dampening material in the roof of car at all, sounded like I was riding in a steel drum when it rained, car not of quality paid for.

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  Favorite Car - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By JBert - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable, powerful, and faster than my ML320

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  Has it all - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By caya - March 23 - 2:00 am

  The 1990 model is still competetive with current models.

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  SPORTY CADILLAC - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Day - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Underrated

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  Roll out - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Donchichi - March 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is great. Its a big truck but handles and drives like a sports car. The steering is awesome. It has a very quick acceleration and can out gun almost every car on the street. If youre going to get one I suggest black. It looks very cool at night. The only thing that needs to be improved is the wheels. They should have included 18 inch or larger wheels on this thing. 17 in is a little small. whats up omi, flint, dave, hemx, and all of my crew in Beaverton

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  Cadillac forgetaboutit - 2014 Cadillac Escalade
  By LgCrusher - March 21 - 7:24 pm

  Its a Caddy, dont sleep! If you are looking for a family SUV ala loading up kids and stuff maybe this is not it but if you are looking for a personal Exec type of ride then youve landed. Ive driven all the competition including the Rover which is not mentioned here and I came home to American made luxury. nuff said!

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  SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Gordon Light - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Great car get one you wont be sorry