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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  Cateras Suck - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By JenniferC - March 10 - 10:10 pm

  Dont buy this car, it sucks. Its really a horrible shame. The car is a great size, has good styling, but ours has been in the shop more than its been out. You name the part, its been replaced atleast once--thank god for the warranty. I would NEVER get a Cadillac again.

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  excellent - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By joeyg - March 9 - 8:08 pm

  i like it

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  The 1990 STS - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By Dave M. - March 9 - 6:14 pm

  The 1990 STS continues Cadillacs commitment to excellence. Yet it departs from the "old-fogie" connotation of the Cadillac name. It has a spacious and comfortable interior, along with a sporty design on the outside. It drives very smoothly, and handles well. My car just turned 170,000 miles, and is still running strong. This is testament to the value of preventative maintnance, and the quality in manufacturing of Cadillac and GM automobiles.

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  Years of reliable driving - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By Rocco - March 9 - 3:47 pm

  Six years and 120,000 miles. No problems. I only needed one tune up and two minor service visits. Outstanding performance. I went back an bought me another Cadillac. I wouldnt even consider another manufacturer. Excellent reliability! Enjoy.

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  1999 Catera - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By johnfmoynihan - March 9 - 12:28 pm

  Great used car value.

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  Cadillac DElegance - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By William R. Stroup - March 9 - 9:24 am

  Cadillac DElegance A luxurious and well built car. It drives and performs well. Mileage is not great, but better than one would expect for such a large car. Premium grade Fuel is required(a ault changed in newer models) which adds to the cost of fuel. Normal maintenance, oil changes, grease, brakes and tires is all that I have had to have done and my car has 73,000 miles.

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  Ready for the trash heap - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By no more caddies - March 8 - 11:57 pm

  Dont waste your time and money purchasing a 1997 Catera. I bought one new and have had nothing but trouble--engine trouble and even trouble with the doors. You dont have time to read the list of problems this car has had. What a colossal waste of $33,000!!!

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  CadiAddict - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By IndyMacalister - March 8 - 2:24 pm

  My mother had a 1985. Says she will never own a car that is not a Cadi. Bought a 1990 DeVile in 1998 with 90k miles. It has now 130K, and it has proven to be a reliable car. No mayor mechanical/electrical problems. Favorite Sunday Drive car at home, specially for long trips. Safe and confortable. Can sit eight!! We love it

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  the new CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Emerald - March 8 - 5:33 am

  a very fun car to drive just enough powerV6 and luxury and style

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  Der Mighty Opel - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Merckx - March 7 - 2:17 pm

  What a checkered past this car has had. GM has been forced to give them away-mine was a little over $10,000 off list. So any problems pale in comparison. Its a real joy to drive-really pleasantly stiff steering. Everything has that satisfying German "thunk" to their operation. I could heartily recommend this car,if there are any left on the lots. so far,it has been magnificient!