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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  Good looking car - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Frederick - February 12 - 9:11 pm

  Check the fluids at all times. Keep up with all maintenance. Things to look out for. Motor mounts. Window regulators.Head gaskets. Interior poor quality for a Cadillac. lock buttons broke -Nobody sits in the back. Same with window regulators. 3 of four window regulators broke.Should be a recall. Over $300 to replace. Not enough head room. My fedora keeps hitting the top. People have talked about hitting the cruise control button by accident. same here. Good trunk space. good passing speed when you need it. I bought this car in Jan 2017 with low miles. 68k. Still love this car. Bought an extended warranty. Replaced the motor mounts with that.

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  Finally a true American sports sedan - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Todd K. - February 6 - 9:16 pm

  Ive had my 08 CTS for about a month now, and the commercials are spot on - this car turns me on every time I fire it up. Its a real head turner, and Ive gotten more looks and thumbs ups than with any other car. Mine has the 6 speed w/ DI engine, and most every option available. I say most options because one that I really wanted - AWD, was not available with the stick. I test drove the G35X, BMW 335iX, Audi A4 Quattro and finally the CTS and it was love at first sight. The CTS is really that good, and a bit bigger than the others. I really wanted AWD and I might have a different opinion after the snow falls, but Im planning in investing in a decent set of snow tires. Well see..

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  The Corvette of SUVs - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By titanjack - February 2 - 4:38 am

  I have owned several SUVs...I always came back to driving my vette I just traded my Expedition for the AWD Escalade I think I have found close to what I really have in mind it was real fun to drive, but this could be a real hit if GM does it right I will say if your other car is a vette this is the perfect family car for you......and if your single and you drive it around you will probably have a family shortly!

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  Its not great unless its a V8!! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By muffin - January 17 - 10:00 am

  The V6 falls terribly short of what a car that "Zigs" should be. Only a V8 will make this car Zig! Had to have the rear end replaced (less than 10,000 miles). Have had the tires replaced twice as the steering wheel shakes and quivers. Continual engine knock! Dealer has no answer. Poor engineering with the head lights. The black bar affect is dangerous on roads that are poorly lit.

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  Presence like no other SUV! - 2016 Cadillac Escalade
  By S.Alexander - January 12 - 9:44 am

  I owned a previous generation Escalade and the new model is a huge improvement over the old one. Interior is very luxurious, and looks way better than GLS or Q7. Old model was Rear or AWD only, and now you can get 4WD, and use it in rear wheel drive mode (or automatic or permanent 4WD) for everyday driving. No need to use 4WD for summer driving and waste gas. As a result fuel economy improved substantially, I get 16 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg highway. Apple CarPlay adds a nice touch and all electronics and navigation look/work perfectly fine. My complaints would be lack of a sunroof in the base trim ($76K), and even if you get a model with a sunroof, its a small one. Panoramic roof is not available. Magnetic ride is awesome and very smooth, however, once you hit a rough pavement, the ride becomes very jittery. Handling is very confident and acceleration is very good, but, try to change lanes quickly at highway speeds, and you will be quickly reminded that you drive a huge truck. Overall driving feeling is very confident, you wont be bothered by snow, heavy rain or any other nonsense. In the end, I decided to get this car for its unique look and presence. Park it next to Audi Q7 or MB GLS and see for yourself. Q7 looks like a station wagon/minivan from the side, and GLS looks very unassuming and small next to the Escalades huge grill and glowing vertical LED lights. Euro competition may offer better ride and some technical advances, but Escalade brings such unique and unrivaled presence - it is still the king of SUVs.

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  Caddy With Style - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By JamesS - October 30 - 10:00 am

  This is a very luxurious SUV! It has awesome pulling power. Bvlgari adds a nice look to the Escalade EXT. This is a must have vehical!

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  brakes 2012 Escalade EXT - 2012 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By gam7 - October 4 - 11:56 pm

  Recently purchase a 2012 Escalade EXT. Only had 690 miles. Thought I was getting the cream of SUVs. Find the car lacking in several areas based on the purchase price. However what I consider to be a major issue is the brakes. The EXT is a 6,00 pound truck. The brakes are way to small to stop the EXT in a panic stop. GMC should be ashamed to put that truck on the road with the brakes it has. Have had two near crashes. Im 77 years old and have never experienced a near rear end collision before. When compared to a Chrysler product the EXT in the area of brakes gets a solid "D" ! Would be interested in other Escalade owners experiences. Gary...

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  balanced utility and performance - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By bmchenry - August 30 - 2:00 am

  As empty nesters it just what we were looking for in design and function. Room for the yellow lab and the skis, a more than adequate level of performance, and a pragmatic and efficient use of space. We wanted the third seat option yet did not want to move up a class size.

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  Cadillac CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By John Collins - August 30 - 2:00 am

  Great car, and fun to drive

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  Forget the back seat - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Eddie Mae - July 20 - 6:36 am

  Wanted comfortable towing vehicle, I got that. Bed cover leaks, dealer does not tell you that, but, it is in the vehicles manual (now who reads this before buying). The back seat is useless. I am 52" and rode in the back seat for 200 miles and was never so uncomfortable! Maybe a child could, I say maybe! I am pleased with the towing ability that is great. As far as 14 mpg. I consistently get 12.5