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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  A Dream Car With Baggage. - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By CaddyGuy - March 21 - 1:06 pm

  My Cadillac ETC is my dream car. It has everything but OnSt*r. The exterior body design is unique and sleek. The interior design is Sweeping, modern and extremely attractive. But the Baggage is the NorthStar Engine. No one can afford to repair it unless you have Warrantee. It suffers carbon build up which requires occasional WOTs to clean out. Search the Cadillac forums and search WOT. Though toted by GM as the best engine ever, it is a night mare in costs when repairs come, even small ones, repair cost is excessive. My ETC was my dream car and I enjoy it emensly but I am concerned when that NorthStar should have a problem. You really need to weigh your need vs a junk NorthStar eng.

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  Wow, what a car !! - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By Barbara Rossetto - March 20 - 4:05 pm

  I have owned my Cadillac Sedan de Ville for 14+ years and consider it the finest car I have ever owned. I have never had to perform anything but normal maintenance on this beautiful vehicle, have taken many major road trips in it in utmost comfort and safety, and enjoy it every day for normal in-town driving around Los Angeles. Always a pleasure to enter, its tasteful interior gives my passengers a sense of spacious comfort unmatched in any other car. I love this car today just as much as I did when I drove it out of Casa de Cadillac in 1994. Faithful oil changes, brake service, align, etc. and keep it forever! After 157K miles, still Five Star !

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  Love My New Caddy - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By jlauria751 - March 18 - 7:11 pm

  I had an accident with my previous 99 sts. I missed it so much I purchased the exact same car. Its a great car it drives identically to my previous cadillac. which was a suprise because I bought with 115,000 miles. My best advice in keeping a car running well is Change The Oil Every 3,000 miles! I put synthetic in my car and never go past 4,500 miles never. In this car the most expensive repair was a steering rack$500, I put in a bose door speaker $230 worth every penny, and had to replace a motor mount $110 installed. It helps to work for a dealership and get employee price. I burn 3/4 of a pint of oil between oil changes not bad. although these cars are known for drinking oil.

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  Absolutely great car - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Birdie - March 17 - 2:52 pm

  After loving this car from afar ever since its re-design, I had the opportunity to purchase one. I purchased the car with the Luxury package and I couldnt be happier. While the car has an easy going glide to its drive, it also has command of the road. The accelaration and handling are quick and confident. The interior is extremely lush and full of technology. The outside of this car is stunning. My car is black on black and causes heads to turn. At full price, this car is underpriced. Luckily, Cadillac frequently offers financial incentives that are genuine and too good to pass up. Anyone who is looking for a performance luxury car should not pass this car by.

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  Wii be my next buy 2004 - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Keystone - March 17 - 10:00 am

  It is a fantastic vehicle-My 02-I have buyers as a used vehicle since the week I purchased it. I have NO! complaints-A 2004 will be my next purchase this fall. Same color-"White Diamonds" if offered.GM hit a home run this go round.

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  T-s Review - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Jeremiah Larson - March 17 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car!!! It is really fun to drive! And its rear wheel drive! Should go and take it for a 24 hour test drive! Cuz its fun!

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  Cadillac does it again - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Robert - March 16 - 10:18 pm

  Great car, excellent accelleration, one of the smoothest cars Ive ever driven.Smooth ride and styling,typical of a Cadillac. Color is Thunder Gray, a 3.6 liter v-6 with a chrome wire mesh grill. Wife also loves the and nimble response and the tight steering. We should have bought this car a long time ago.

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  Turns on a Dime - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Kelly - March 15 - 1:22 pm

  I bought this car from my parents with 105,000 miles on it. It has been fun to drive. The major problem has been with oil leaking. I found a good mechanic who likes to work on this one. He said the engine is a really good one. It is so quiet and smooth you can hardly tell it is running when in idle at a stop light. I am selling for a newer 4x4 but will always like this car. I know it doesnt get the best reviews, but there are alot of nice features about this car. It is heavy and you feel safe and secure in it.

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  Run from this one. - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Dorothy - March 14 - 11:52 pm

  Bought this car from dealer as a certified used vehicle with 42,000 miles. Service engine light on and off as well other indicator lights for no apparent reason. Long story short, at 80,000 miles everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. With a loss of apx. $4,500.00 in repairs, parked the thing, using it as lawn ornament. Engine and cooling system is crap. Cadillac offered $1000.00 rebate if we would buy a new cadillac. Needless to say you know what I told them. The Bose radio is great...What can you say. Run run run even if someone tries to give you this car, you will be doing fix and repair daily.

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  WOW - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By Larry - March 14 - 9:56 am

  If this is what a 8-9 year old Caddie feels and drives like, I am not sure I could handle a new one. I have driven mostly smaller cars in my life, but I think I will have a Caddie the rest of my life. Even if it is an old one! Have not had long enough to know reliability, but most of what I hear is good. Have put 12000 so far and the gas mileage is wonderful, better than most six cylinders I have had.