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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  Great Luxury Car at a Good Price - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By John Baldwin - December 21 - 9:03 pm

  I bought this car for the wife who has a bad back. We took a trip to Branson, MO and got 28 mpg going and 27 mpg coming home. It is very Comfortable and quiet. It had an air leak in the windshield due to an improper replacement, but after replacement the car is very quiet. The Michelin Symetry tires provide a good ride. This was a lease return car, so we had a few minor fixes to do, but for the price, it is the best luxury car we have owned. It has a few scrapes on the lower front bumper as it sits pretty low to the ground. It is fun around town as well on the road. The wheel base is a bit longer than our Buick. Punch it or baby it and it drives great. It is spoiling us and our next car will also be a Caddy.

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  Im Hooked - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Bill Williams - December 20 - 8:10 pm

  This is my 4th Escalade, one was an EXT, the others are the AWD models. They consistently have shown very good quality, reliability, and performance. It still rides a bit harsher than I would like, but it handles reasonably well. I have been sufficiently impressed with this vehicle to keep coming back to "the well." Its nice to drive something this nice thats built in this country, actually Arlington Texas.

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  2006 STS V6 - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By James B - December 20 - 6:43 pm

  We love this car. It has a smooth quiet ride, handles great, the Bose stereo is a must! The V6 has more than enough power.

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  Big Is Better - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By DOS - December 19 - 9:08 pm

  I just did a test drive on both the 07 Navigator and the 07 Escalade. The BIG difference was the motor and the instrument electronics. The Escalades ride was very nice as was the handling. The seats in the Navigator were a bit better, as was the 3rd row seating but I saw a drop off in the engineers to incorporate the electronics the way Escalade did. I now own the Escalade. The styling was the major factor in my decision. The Navigator was a bit cheaper even with the options packages. Im not buying the Escalade for gas savings, but its nice to know you can use regular gas when its crunch time!

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  An Excellent Car - 1991 Cadillac Deville
  By dgras673 - December 19 - 10:05 am

  I grew up watching my grand dad drive it around, and loved it then. Eventually, he was no longer able to drive, and Ive had it since. Its been amazing, the luxury of this vehicle even after 15 years is amazing. If you have one, take care of it, because not a day goes by it doesnt take care of me.

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  Cadillac is the Best - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By large sedan - December 16 - 9:15 am

  My miles have been - 33% city, 33% 300 mile trips, and 33% long trips. Around town I ave between getting 20 to 21 mpg. On the 300 mile trips I ave 24 mpg, and on long trips I avg. 25 mpg. With 36,000 miles and counting I have not had any problems requiring service. This is my second Cadillac, after two Buicks. I will trade it in for another Cadillac at 70,000 to 90,000 miles. My experience with the dealer has been tremendous. They pick up and return my car for service. They offer a ride if I drop off the car for oil changes. When I go for an oil change I make an appointment and wait in a plush waiting room with hot coffee and pastries available for "free."

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  Great Cadillac! - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Richard F - December 15 - 10:01 pm

  This car has great handling, acceleration, and appearance. I have had to have the battery, a couple of sensors, and the water pump replaced under warranty.

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  My 93 Brougham - 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Mr. Big - December 12 - 3:04 pm

  I have owned my fully-optioned Fleetwood Brougham since new in 1993. The car now has 165,000 miles and it has never had a single problem. It is garaged and well cared for and most people ask if it is new when they see it, even after almost 14 years. I have bought many other cars in the interim, but will always keep the brougham and my 2002 Thunderbird Blue T-Bird which now has 5,000 miles on it after 5 years. The 1993 Fleetwood Brougham is the equivalent of owning an American Rolls Royce and should be treated and valued accordingly.

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  Love this suv - 2016 Cadillac SRX
  By SUSIE ANDERSON - December 10 - 10:01 pm

  I just love this SUV. I feel safe driving it. The warranty and maintenance is awesome plus too. My dealer was an absolute pleasure to deal with.

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  Nice Car - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Freddy L. - December 9 - 5:55 pm

  I have never had any problems with my Seville except for minor oil burn, about one quart every 1,500 - 2,000 miles. Other than that nothing. This car is extremely responsive and takes high speed turns very well for a 3800 vehicle. The Bose stereo system sounds nice but is not spectacularly loud. The low beam headlights do not have great range, but high beams are fantastically bright.