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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  Almost a 10 - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Dr Gino - March 30 - 7:40 pm

  This CTS is a good as any car I have owned and I have had most of the luxury ones. I could not believe the great ride and handling. Its like being in a vault. This car performs with confidence. Dont miss out on this one!

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  oil leaks - 1993 Cadillac Seville
  By noromeo4juliet - March 30 - 8:00 am

  The Cadillac I purchased is my second Cadillac that continues to amaze me with the high quality of performance. I also have an eighty six Seville that has 158,000 miles and I have never had any problems on it until recently. The one problem I have noticed is the problem with oil leaks in both cadillacs that started at about 120,000 miles. Thinking it was changed in later years to a different type engine, but it gets pricey to fix as you usually have to drop the engine to get it repaired. Other than that I would recommend and buy again. Excellent car.

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  1993 Caillac deville - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By idunno12000 - March 30 - 12:28 am

  Ok so i needed a used car for cheap. I get my caddy and it runs good. It had about 100k miles on it and it still ran like new. The only issue with my car is the heat and air. Neither work! Also At 121k miles the tranny is failing on me. First gear is messed bad. Also the color around the bottom is starting to peal off bc it is some weird type of paint. Besides that i love my car. It has a powerful V8 and i just love the look. Also i love the space it provides. The seats are very comfortable and very adjustable. I believe this is a great car for anyone to buy. Just dont peel out all the time like me and ruined the tranny.

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  CTS Owner - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Tampa Charles - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Overall I love the car. The placement/design of the front seats tends to make it difficult for older people to get in and out of the car. Also, it would be hard for a lady to get in or out with grace.

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  Lemon GM stopped making parts - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Unhappy owner - March 27 - 9:22 am

  Delivery 3/29/08 Dead Battery Toe in adjusted Steering Column replaced Wipers started, heating fluid light came on and sprayed for two minutes two times in two months and then never happened again. One of the two horns stopped working 2 weeks later they worked Air conditioned seats stopped working 2) Days later Air conditioned seats started working Dead Battery jumped roadside Dead Battery jumped roadside Bolt Rolling around head liner Dead Battery caddy said battery OK Dead Battery roadside replaced ad cleaned corrosion Bolt Rolling around head liner Touch Pad broke off trunk Back windows don’t work (said it was fine) nothing repaired came out with the same problems

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  Awesome - 2016 Cadillac SRX
  By Brenda - March 25 - 3:24 am

  I was hesitant about this vehicle with the mixed reviews read prior to purchasing. I am beyond happy with the technology, comfort and look of this car. If I want more sporty Ill drive my Mercedes! Besides the engine being a bit loud- this suv delivers in looks, bells , and whistles with performance to boot!

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  Almost flying - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Dstar40xls - March 24 - 2:35 pm

  After 2 SRXs past 5 years was ready for sedan. Test drove BMW, Infiniti, Lexus, Audi. Had to take the CTS4 out for a spin when took my lease back...wow. Plenty of quiet performance, I mean quiet. NE Ohio potholes no match. BMW better performer but not for the added dollars, Lexus no curb appeal, Infiniti more bells and whistles, Audi my back still hurts. Glad I had to return the lease to a Caddy dealership.

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  Great Car - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Grandma Chad - March 24 - 8:49 am

  I have owned this car for nine years. It has had A/C problems and the usual "service soon" light coming on frequently. Other than the usual replacement of belt/hoses, brakes. This is my baby and still gives me a smoother ride than my new 2006 Caddy. Still has good pickup and I get 27-28 mpg on the highway..

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  Cadillac is Cadillac - 1991 Cadillac Eldorado
  By StJust - March 22 - 10:55 pm

  I love this car. I bought it 2 months ago but I love every bit of it. Its pearl white and its an amazing car that commands respect. So far every car mechanic who have seen it asked which year it was and if Im passing through a small street, opposing cars park on the side giving me a way to go, EVERYTIME! Of course its an 18 years old car that needs to be taken care of but its a pure classic car and its worth it! I hate to see all these people taking a classic car and turning it into an auto-clown by installing 22" rims, etc, and thats why Im keeping it classic.

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  An Absolute WASTE Of Money! - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By Allison - March 22 - 10:17 pm

  I havent even had this car for a month and its already been in the shop three different times! Problems with the engine, mass air flow sensor, gaskets, and electrical problems. The first week I had it, ran great. Now the radio and heated seats quit working. And to top it all off, the sunroof automatically opens at random times and will not close! I thought cadillacs were nice reliable luxery vehicles???? Dont let the looks fool you!