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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  4th Cadillac - 1990 Cadillac Brougham
  By DeeJay - March 2 - 12:28 pm

  I purchased this car from my late neighbors daughter. I had owned a 1989 Brougham since new and drove it 269,000 in 18 years. Even though my 1990 had the same drivetrain (ie: 307) as my 1989, this one had more responsive power. I got much better mileage. I had class 2 hitches (3500 lbs) on both. Velour interior.The previous owner had a $3500 K7000 Transmission job done at 30,500 miles in Nov 1993! He also had the F gear and pinion bearings replaced at 62,000 miles in April, 1997. The ECM went at 80,000 in May, 1999. I bought the car from the estate in 2008 with 92,000 miles.

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  AVOID Cadillac products like the plague - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By 6dutchman6 - March 1 - 3:16 pm

  PROS: Yah right CONS: 1. Stupid computer controlled climate control system that never kicks in right away while your freezing your butt off in minus degree weather. 2. Faulty parts abound, this thing literally falls apart and leaves on the side of the road stranded, one time on a -36 C night. 3. Unreliable, its seen more miles behind a tow truck. 4. Only Cadillac can make a car that breaks while washing it. FAULTY seals let water into manifold $170.0 repair.

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  Squealing Brakes - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Gaylan B. - March 1 - 10:50 am

  Everything is fine with this car except the brakes have been squealing from day one. Initially, I was told that the problem was due to weather conditions, but eventually a dealership in Texas informed me that the quality of the metal used to make the brakes was inferior, and there was nothing to be done to resolve the problem, except to replace the brakes in hopes of getting some that do not squeak. I have been waiting for the new brakes for over three weeks. It is disheartening to be driving such a car and the brakes sound so terrible.

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  Most comfortable car I have ever had - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By reynolt - March 1 - 10:44 am

  For the price of the car, this is the most comfortable car Ive been in. I purchased as a used car at 40k, been driving it for 2 yrs, now at 85k. Gets ~30mpg if I keep it at 55, 25mpg at 75, still smooth riding & handling at 100mph. Seats, stereo, handling are the best. Got kids toys stuck under seat & messed up seat heaters, dealer fixed under warranty anyway.

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  Wow - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Kibosch - February 27 - 2:00 am

  At first glance you get the modern station wagon persona of the car. That is until you drive it. This has to be one of the top SUVs for ride quality and handling. The seats are incredibly comfortable and the interior space is great (especially for us folks over six feet). The six cylinder delivers plenty of punch and gets great mileage for a vehicle of this size. I highly recomend you drive one before you make any type of decision on a new vehicle. You will be impressed.

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  sac - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By sac - February 27 - 2:00 am

  great all around car

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  Love my new SUV! - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By rgarrisonsea - February 26 - 11:57 pm

  We were debating a new family car and actually drove some mini vans and were leaning that direction. I had been driving a 2005 Acura MDX which I liked but with another kid on the way needed something bigger. We found a great deal on a used Escalade and bought it on the spot. It has every feature you could imagine and drives like a dream in the snow. Very quiet ride and comfortable for every passenger. I would highly recommend the auto running boards and heat/cool seats, and the nav with back up camera as it would be hard to see behind you without it! This is a great SUV and my only wish is that it had a better console and of course better gas mileage.

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  Piece of junk - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By surfone - February 25 - 5:49 pm

  I always try to buy American. I bought this 2002 Seville STS with 36,000 miles on it. After 3 months of ownership and $1100 worth of repairs, I am sorry I ever bought it. The only good things are the mileage and the stereo. Everything else is garbage. Dont buy one unless it comes with a warranty.

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  Flashy, gorgeous, fun and admirable - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By BigThermometer - February 25 - 4:01 pm

  Ive loved this car since we got it new back in 04. And now Im purchasing it from my parents, thanks to luxury cars famous depreciation. This AWD car replaced our beloved 2003 Audi A6 and surpassed it in almost every way (gas mileage being one of the only exceptions [minor]). The car is built as well if not better, has AWD, is incredibly fast for a heavy 4-door, looks fantastic in every angle-inside and out, fun to drive (handles well), and the stereo wipes out every other car stereo Ive ever heard-standard or aftermarket. 97k miles on it and has been absolutely reliable. My parents have now bought a new CTS-V and will probably stick with Cadillacs forever. I will likely do the same.

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  Excellent car - 2009 Cadillac SRX
  By tflor - February 25 - 9:33 am

  Great car. The SRX drives very sporty, handles people and things well, and tows small trailer and boats nicely. Most comfortable car I have driven. Beats the imports hands down.