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:

• 

  Eds Cad. - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By ecohn - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Overall, a good ride.

• 

  GREAT CAR - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By DON EASTBOURN - June 3 - 2:00 am

  IF YOU BUY A SEVILLE USED YOU ARE GETTING A LOT OF CAR FOR THE MONEY. IN PALM SRINGS CALIFORNIA, IT IS THE MOST POPULAR SEDAN ON THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. HOWEVER THE CADILLAC SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE GREAT AND A THEY BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO MAKE YOU HAPPY. THEY GIVE GOOD LOANER CARS. I WILL PROBABLY BUY THE NEW SEVILLE IN A YEAR OR SO.

• 

  Luxury and Power at its Best. - 2016 Cadillac Escalade
  By Dan Erickson - June 2 - 12:45 pm

  I am kind of a cheep stake and like a good bargain. I never thought I would buy a car off the showroom. My wife and I were just shopping for an upgrade of our current 2010 Denali. We looked at the Escalade, we were swept off our feet and signed the paperwork that night. This vehicle is nothing short of amazing. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would get a back massage while cruising at 75 mph down the interstate. We are still discovering the latest gadgets and taking it in tomorrow to have upgraded software installed to integrate our phones for easier applications of usage. Another plus, we got an astounding average of 26mpg at 70 mph last weekend on a road trip. The down side is that the apative cruse control would go offline going down the highway due to an error in the system. That is going to be addressed tomorrow also. As far as buyers remorse, its nonexistent here folks.

• 

  catera - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By lindsay12345 - May 30 - 2:00 am

  This car has so many great features on it and currently (5/04) can be bought for a pretty low price compared to others in its class (but repairs will be just as expensive). Ive been very satisfied with it mechanically but there have been some electrical problems. I am concerned though as a current owner about how quickly its value has gone down.

• 

  CTS analysis - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Henry wasmuth - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Great performance, great ride, good economy,super styling and excellent workmanship. Had a Benz before but love this vehicle. Cant wait till 07 for my next CTS.

• 

  XLR On Review After 5,000 Miles - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Luphol33 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Difficulty with Navigaton, Radio and Roof System. Stopped in midcycle of Lowering of roof. Cargo spact less than my previously qwned Lexis 430 SC. Cant push trunk down if slightly overloaded. Cunputer screws up. Finally fixed at dealer.

• 

  The Best Ive Ever Had - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Tom C. - May 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned 5 Caddys over the past 14 years and the 2004 Escalade I just bought is the best so far. Its big and comfy with fabulous interior as well as exterior styling. The ride and handling are great and I now look more forward to my long commutes. GM has a real winner here and I recommend the Escalade to anyone looking for a big luxury SUV.

• 

  car right for you? - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By Wilson Lopez - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Nice car but not for the person who likes power.

• 

  1998 SLS - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By wjries1 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  The car is a real pleasure. Only concern is electronic are a hit or miss. Front bumper appears loose but dealership(s) say that is the norm.

• 

  Excellent Purchase - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Sal Collaziano - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Im very happy with my 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Its VERY big - in and out. The interior is VERY comfortable with plenty of room - and pretty quiet inside. Its very soft over bumps but handles surprisingly well. Even though the price of gas is going through the roof, I cant say Id rather be in anything else. I love big, plush, roomy, luxurious cars. The only car I feel compares to this is the Lexus LS - which costs about $50,000 more at this point.