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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  Dont overlook an SRX - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By Jeff Sunshine - November 10 - 2:04 pm

  I have a V8 awd with the sport package. The car has 20k miles on it and all I did was change oil (twice). So much for consumer reports saying its unreliable. Love the SRX because it handles like a well designed car and accelerates with ease. Everything works the way its supposed to and this car has been very reliable so far. Drive way better than the V6 trucks from BMW, MB and Lexus and you will save money. Test drive this car before getting saddled to a boring vanilla vehicle recommended by consumer reports. By the way this Caddy does fine off road and in the snow

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  Solid player - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By jeff sunshine - November 10 - 1:39 pm

  I purchased mine at the end of August when there were only V6 AWD models. I traded my V8 STS and thought I would be taking a step down. With V6 DI engine, I really do not miss the V8. So far this car is solid in all respects handles well,comfortable, reliable, good mileage and is fast enough. In my opinion, this car favorably competes with BMW, MB and the other usual suspects but after you negotiate your final price, there really is no comparison becuse you pay a lot less. The status of a label is unimportant to me (although a Caddy still has some clout left) and as car enthusiast, I look to the raw driving experience. STS is right there and if the V8 G8 had AWD, I would be driving that.

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  Great Car! - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Edward - November 10 - 1:21 pm

  I purchased the 09 CTS to replace my 07 Infiniti. Prior to that I drove an 06 Infiniti and 03 BMW 5 series. The CTS is every bit as good and has better styling & ride. The performance and technology matches & surpasses my previous cars and the price was right. Cadillac has built a first class car that can compete with anyone.

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  Do not buy one - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By Crapola - November 10 - 7:38 am

  What a piece of junk! I took a gamble and bought a 2000 Catera this past August. Traded it in this month ( November ). In the 3 months I owned it, I spent almost $1,000 in repairs. Transmission solonoid, oil gasket, emission valve, brake boost valve....countless others needed and advised by my mechanic to cut my losses and pawn it off, so I did. If anyone out there is looking at buying one of these, dont! The car may look nice and the price may be right, but just dont do it. Parts are very expensive, and these cars are a real pain to work on! It will be a choice you will soon regret, just like I did. I got next to nothing on trade in too, by the way! Cost me lots of money in the end!

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  Competing with the Germans! - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By MK - November 9 - 11:51 am

  I have owned many many cars, mostly German and some Japanese luxury brands, this CTS is my first US luxury sedan in 25 years! It certainly competes well with all those brands, but with all the incentives and employee pricing, value ratio was the best of them all. In fact, I traded in my 2008 BMW 335i twin-turbo coupe shortly after for another car!

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  Superior exterior design - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By infinitetanner - November 6 - 2:57 pm

  This car has a stunning exterior design, and a nice cockpit layout. Its 4.6L 320 HP is responsive, however the transmission in the AWD has a delay- frustrating. Handles fantastic! Wont peel out though due to AWD system. I have the 1SG luxury edition, that offers: HID xenon head lamps, OnStar, XM, navigation with DVD player built in, 6cd changer, heated and a/c cooled front seats, heated rear seats, 18 rims, bluetooth hands free calling, one touch adjustable performance and touring suspention (formula 1 inspired), spoiler and much more! Despite being a tank, this car is small inside for rear passengers & front passenger. Glove box is a joke, trunk is decent-needs sunglassas holder badly!

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  Good As New - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By tazchi - November 5 - 10:48 pm

  I have had this car for 2 and a half months. I replaced my 88 Seville for this car. Very good styling,everyone really likes this car. Ride is very smooth. Seats are very comfortable. Great car to cruise around town in or great for a extended road trip. Had a 96 Lincoln Town Car Cartier, It in no way compares to this car! Better styling and better resell value.

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  love Cadillac - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Valerie Apa - November 4 - 6:46 pm

  Went from a CTS To the SRX because we needed more room and wanted to pull a small camper. We are just as impressed with this SRX As we were with our CTS. Love the glass roof and the comfortable ride!

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  Riptide Rush - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Bus Covert - November 3 - 11:39 am

  This SUV is fun to drive. This is hands down better than my 2000 Navigator. The new features are striking. The factory Nav unit is awesome. The new color Riptide, Blue Green Crystal is a great color. I get some many compliments on it.

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  *All Season Road beast* - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Mr. SUPERMAN GIllESPIE - November 2 - 3:03 pm

  I have had countless cars ever since 16yrs old.. I am now 43 and finally feel that Ive landed my feet into the vehicle I had aspired to, all these years. If I knew that All WHEEL DRIVE would be sooo convient and give me great road control.. Id bought one years sooner.. I While I have NEVER had brand new I am just as satified with my 2005 Black Escalade AWD.. my only problems are that of the Cluster Board, blanked out face to radio, front end suspension, and falsely presented rear climate control. That rear climate control neither gets hot or cold.. just a fan to circulate.. dial description showshot and cold adjustments but it changes nothing.. its just designed to circulate air pulled from the front.. smh.. POOR JOB G.M!!.. when you spend money like that you exspect maximum comfort on spell!!.. Heated seats dont stay on long... Ive only had my truck for 3 months but with our crazy weather in Saint Louis, Missouri I dont miss a beat.. I laugh when its rainy and every one else is fish tailing when light turns green.. lol.. Gas is not nearly as bad as most bloggers give off.. Best spark plugs, pure purple senthetic oil, K&N Oil & Air filter.. cant go wrong.. #LearnYourCar.................. MrSupaman Gillespie