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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  catera - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By killianclemens - February 2 - 2:00 am

  i have had a lot of trouble with the car the electrical aspect of the car sucks.

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  6th Cadillac - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Thomas Gregory - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car brand new in Aug 03. Thus far Ive had a few wierd things happen: DVD Nav Sys would not show "POI"s - Dealer R/R nav unit - fixed, Alarm goes off by itself - Dealer shrugs shoulders - no fix, BRAKE light comes on - Dealer R/R sensor on brake reservior - no fix, SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on - reseat fuel cap 3 clicks only - fixed but has happened three times. The past two days the car has stalled on me. Im going to the dealer tomorrow for that and 9000 mile service.

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  love it - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By steven3745 - January 31 - 2:00 am

  wonderful comfortable great styling

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  1992 Cadillac: Still reliable at 12 - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By stanhurw - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I inherited this from my late father- in-law. At first, I thought it was too big and that it would be costly to operate. I have been pleasantly surprised at the few repairs it has needed (brakes, thermostat, electric motor on power antenna and trunk lock excellent gas mileage (20 mpg in the summer but drops to 17 mpg with the heat on). Excellent traction on ice and snow. Still a smooth ride at 83,000 miles.

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  good, but... - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By redbug - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Good value for the money. Have enjoyed 4 years of use. Unfortunately it has had multiple electronic problems over its lifetime: 2 crankshaft sensors replaced drivers side heated seat cushion element replaced and still not working right heater/ac dash control module had to be replaced. If Cadillac wants to play with the big boys (BMW,Mercedes,Lexus, Acura,etc.,) they HAVE to improve quality, otherwise they will always be following the pack. A car of this caliber should not be plagued with poor quality electronics that can have a real negative impact on its reputation. If the imports can do it well, why not Cadillac?

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  great used car purchase - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By spoonie - January 18 - 2:00 am

  needed a new fuel pressure regulator and some TLC, but with a set of Michelins added,, it has been a great car. Will buy another. At 140,000 miles , it is going strong.

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  Adult Transportation - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By dwbergmann - January 18 - 2:00 am

  With the discounts given by Cadillac this vehicle is a good value. I was looking for an automobile to provide easy interstate crusing and comfort. My goal was as much sensory depravation as possible. I now have that although there is a little wind noise aroung the outside mirror. Now is the compass just was always accurate all would be well.

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  Very Good - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By glomart - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Original owners and only drivers always garaged and well maintained according to manufacturers service recommendations. Interior is immaculate, paint is pearl white.

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  SRX is great - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By hoover - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Have had no problems and its fun to drive. Easy to handle and many features.

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  Car - 1992 Cadillac Seville
  By hockey5chick - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I love driving this car, it is so much fun, and fast. I like to take it on long trips.