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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  Strong SUV - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By John Roger - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Interior design and comfort is exceptionalDo not like the rear split hatch design or lock release of samegreat on long trips but not a good city car other than visibility.

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  Deram to Nightmare - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By gtm7667 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought in 2000 as pre owned certified.bought extened warrenty, and glad I did.Fuel sensors several times, electrical,steering rack,trunk leak 6 times. The list goes on and on. And lets talk about oil consumption that is unreal.And Cadillac sent a bulliton to the dealers to let them know it was acceptable, due to engine design. And now right after the warranty expires,a major oil seal leak. i called Cadillac directly and after several attempts was told thank you for buying Cadillac, but there is nothing we can do for you. All I know is my dream car became my nightmare and as much as I said I would not buy a Japaneese car, the next time I will.

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  Nice SUV - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By Seanster - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I got a great deal on this SUV with only 10,000 miles. The warranty is good until 12/04 or 50,000 miles. What a find!.

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  My SRX V8 - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Williamson - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Overall great family vehicle without the SUV size and bulk.

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  Beauty is only skin deep - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By RG2 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car. Nice power and ride. Loved the style. BUT It has as many electrical problems as it has electrical things. After a while you just live with the problems as long as it will drive (which it does nice)

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  My First Caddy - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By bgordes - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Plenty of power lots of options for the price almost equal to Euro details in more costly autos with similar options.

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  Corvette with 4 doors - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By wcpurcell - October 20 - 2:00 am

  This is one great sedan for those who want luxury, style, prestige, and performance all rolled up into one vehicle. I bought the extended warranty, but have not had to use it. This has been a reliable automobile.

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  Vehicle Rating - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By cadillac - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Not the ride that I had hoped for

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  Overall a great car- want a newer model - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By Krista - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car two years ago and love it - the only things I have replaced are the brakes and a couple of hundred dollar items, but I have had to have the car towed twice for those silly inexpensive items. The engine is super poweful and fast, but has started to idle a little off. overall a great performance vehicle

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  Eldorado ETC - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By MNazz - October 13 - 2:00 am

  My Eldo was purchased 3 yrs ago w/23k on it. I was 19 when i got it i am now 22 and the car just hit 90k. I have put a decent beating on this car buy flying around and flooring it often and the car has only needed brake pads&rotors. It still runs really strong and looks even better. I am very happy w/the way this car has treated me. No complaints here.