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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  An Example why GM needs bailout money - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Marco Man - April 27 - 8:54 am

  After my wife totalled our 2002 Mitsubishi Montero (which she drove for 7 years without 1 issue) we decided to buy the SRX. Why? It ONLY had 52k miles on it, and it had a 6 year 100k warranty. So here is where the fun begins (not really). 1st week, both rear windows stopped working, rear seats ratted, engine light came on, outside mirrors stopped working and engine was making weird noise. Luckily it was all covered under warranty. In the end, 11 parts were replaced INCLUDING 2 timing chains. Remember this car had only 52k miles on it and was certified pre owned. In the end, seats still rattle, and outside mirrors still dont quite work right. COME ON GM, make a car like the Japanese.

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  Done With Mercedes Thank You! - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Marcel Stango - April 26 - 10:57 pm

  Just went through absolute service nightmare with our E500 Mercedes. Drove directly over to Cadillac and purchased a moderalely optioned CTS. Wow, we are so happy with this car!!!!

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  "Cheap Plastic" Yeah right. - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By TK - April 26 - 11:05 am

  I have always purchased American Cars, I live near one of the worlds biggest dealers (Reedman Toll) I always go there to check out Pre-owned cars, 1st. because the salesman leave you alone, 2nd. The keys are always in the vehicles so you get to really check out the vehicles without some salesman pressuring you. Im so tired of seeing on the internet about how American cars use cheap plastic (I have yet to see a car that uses any other type) I have been in Audis, Bmws, Mercedes, etc and I will tell you that its allot of bull. Being spread around about American Interiors and reliability. I think Cadillac hit it "outta here" as the late great Harry Kalas (Phillies announcer) would say.

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  Almost there, but not quite yet. - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By omegafiler - April 24 - 3:03 pm

  I purchased a fully loaded 2008 CTS w/ DI brand new and ended up trading it in about 5k miles later. So you can see where this is going. Overall the car was great, fun the drive, and looked very nice. But after 6 dealer visits and a few annoying issues unresolved, it had to go. The big issue with this CTS and ALL of the CTSs I tested was poor build quality and materials. Every piece of plastic squeaks in the car from the center stack, to center console, to the cheap "chrome" bezel on the IP. Like rattles? Plenty of those around the sunroof, doors, etc. This is not what I or anybody expects from GMs best car they are offering for sale right now. If GM can fix that, they might survive.

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  Cadillac: Like Nothing Else - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By L. J. Simmons - April 24 - 11:16 am

  Ever since I was three years old, my dad said I had always wanted a Cadillac. Now that I am actually driving one, I can see why. Cadillac is the standard of the world in the automobile industry. The Northstar provides superb power, while still delivering suprising fuel economy for a V-8. The interior is spacious, comfortable, and extremely user friendly. All controls are easy to access, and straightfoward labels inform the user of the controls function. Self service is even a breeze, with some innstructions placed in the owners manual. The exterior is beautifully designed, with an agressive front end, and crisp, clean lines. I am completely satisfied with my Deville. Long Live Cadillac!!

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  Fantastic Car - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By jstamps - April 22 - 3:59 pm

  After owning for 9 mo a review is in order. This is one of the prettiest cars out there - much nicer than the LS430 (and half the price used). Only the Benz S can compare. Extremely quiet and comfortable, with a silky-smooth ride. Powerful engine delivers smooth acceleration transmission shifts without jerks (no hunting like the Lexus or Avalon). Bose stereo is just the best. Mileage on the highway is 29.5, while city depends on whether its warmed up: 16 cold for short trips, 18 warm. Daytime headlights were annoying - had to remove fuse to disable. Nav has helped a lot in strange towns. Occasional whine from a DC-DC in dash. Use the heated/cooled seats a lot. Pearl paint is tops!

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  GM got this one right! - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Phil Grisham - April 22 - 1:03 pm

  At a time when so many new cars all look alike, this vehicle is truly distinctive in design inside and out. This car handles like a dream. Build quality is great. My average mileage is 23 mpg and on the road at legal-plus speed it is 28 mpg. A little more punch would be nice. I am considering a performance chip if I can find one. I had a problem with the radio coming on all by itself! It took a few phone call and a few months, but it was corrected. On a wet rutted road water splashing under the car on the left side makes a lot of noise.

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  Thought Id Love my CTS... - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Kvincent - April 22 - 12:57 am

  Got it with low mileage, seemed to be in great condition. With in a few months of the warranty being up I had several issues. My airbag light came on, thermostat shot, both brake lines blew on 2 separate occasions costing me over $100 in tows, had a quote of $875 for all 4 brakes and rotors...the list goes on. I will say it is a beautifully styled car and is easy to fall in love with, just needs to be mechanically built better.

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  Piece of Junk - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By ej - April 21 - 7:15 pm

  Love the car when its not in the warranty service shop. Have 24,000 miles on it, and it has had two major repairs. First, at 12k miles, the cheap plastic clips that hold up the wiring harness broke in cold weather and the fan destroyed the harness. Then after the check engine light came on at 24k, and the inferior timing chain had to be replaced. Now, Im told the service codes indicate the cam/crank misalignment. Pretty sad for GMs "flagship" car line. Then theres been constant leaks in the door seals (repaired three times), which whistle above 40 MPH. The premium Bose sound is a disappointment This is my 1st & last Cadillac.

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  3 year review... of used sls - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By indianavince - April 20 - 2:15 pm

  Follow up to my review of buying a 66k used SLS in 2006. I am getting 32mpg on 300 mile highway trips. I now have 108,000 miles only issues since 66k is a blown speaker, new aftermarket front struts ($400) and a coil pack ($500). I am getting a little bored with the car but I still love the great highway MPGs and climate control that is so easy to use. This car eats up the miles. I am still happy.