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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  This is not your mothers Cadillac - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By doc - October 15 - 9:05 pm

  I like this car generally. At first ride I was impressed with the handling and performance. However, over time, the ride seems a little harsh over imperfect roads (which most are around here). I like the look of it and the fact that it represents at least one American car company that is attempting to compete with the imports. I know there is a trade off with ride and performance but I was expecting a smoother riding car since, after all, this is a Cadillac. I like the volume control on the wheel. I dont have the problems with it that others have expressed.

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  Very Happy - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By traderj - October 14 - 11:37 pm

  Made an unbelievable deal for the base model with GMS pricing (which is still available on the 09 base model), Lease Loyalty Cash, Bonus Cash (for paying cash), Rebates and GM Card rewards. Paid only 64% of MSRP. This is an attractive car inside and out. It is enjoyable to drive. A solid, but not harsh, ride. I am 510 165 lbs. and I think the seats are very comfortable. I could see where someone larger than me would think that the seats might be too narrow. Also rear headroom is limited to 6 adults. Rear visibility is very limited. This is my biggest knock against this car. But many cars I test drove had this same problem. Overall very happy!

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  Dont drink the Cadillac koolaid! - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By bobby - October 14 - 10:18 pm

  This may be the nicest looking large SUV, however the trade off for reliability, build quality/materials, and lack of basic amenities leave this owner regretting every drive. I only have 7 thousand miles and the things spends more time at the dealer than my garage. GM clearly rushed this vehicle to market before it was done. The interior materials are cheap and not color matched. The metal is different colors and burns your hands. My door panels are turning purple from black. Only 2 windows auto down. the third seat is a pain to store. The onstar drops calls in the city, god forbid I need it out of town. Buy something else!

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  Not Grandmas Caddy - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Melinda - October 14 - 1:05 pm

  I was looking at BMW, Mercedes, and Audi when I settled on the CTS. The quality of the interior and layout is far superior. The car is very sporty too. I get lots of compliments on it. The car doesnt need premium gas which is a huge plus. The voice activated command is nice and works well. Besides my 2005 Corvette, this is the first domestic car Ive purchased in over 20 years. I have high expectations for my CTS and have not been disappointed.

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  rear axle issue - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By car groupie - October 14 - 10:26 am

  The rear axle vibrates at 55 mph and the factory says they are working on a fix. This has been going on for 90 days. In another 60 days without a fix we will post a web site GM wont like, but it will be truthful.

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  Trouble starting - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By jems - October 13 - 1:33 pm

  I inherited this car from my father and thought I would be able to keep it forever. It rides nicely and Ive learned how to handle it. As it has aged, it doesnt start up right away. We takes bets on how many times I have to turn the key before the engine starts each day. Then it is fine for the rest of the day. My mechanic cant fix it. I am afraid to get stuck too far away from home. But I still keep it for sentimental value.

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  Great Ride! I just purchased another - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Kevin like the Caddy - October 12 - 10:10 pm

  I have 1998 Catera which was purchased with 74k miles and has preformed flawlessly for 31k (I enjoy this car so much I purchased a 2001 also). All normal maintenance has been preformed by an independent shop (I have never been to a dealer). My mechanic is a trusted professional that checks the Cadillac service bulletins and keeps it on the factory service schedule. He also checks the built in diagnostic tools by connecting a little computer to the car. This seems to be the most important item done to the car. The Cateras operating costs are less than my previous car, a brand new 05Subaru STi, my same mechanic preformed service w/ warranty items to dealer.

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  Good for 16 years - 1991 Cadillac Deville
  By I dont know - October 11 - 1:03 pm

  I love my 1991 DeVille for comfort, beauty, smooth ride. I save money on hotels because it is so comfortable I prefer sleeping in it to sleeping in a hotel bed. The gas mileage was fine when I got the car used in 2000. But see the favorite feature below. Cadillac repairs are notoriously expensive no matter who does them but until the car was 16 years old, I needed almost no repairs. It was super. Then, at the 16-year and around 100,000 mile mark, the car started to self-destruct, one part at a time, so that I kept sinking money in being reassured that each repair was the only apparent problem. So be really careful if you own or are looking at one of these models now.

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  CTS Sport - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By boomr46 - October 10 - 12:13 pm

  First Cadillac Ive ever owned - picked it over an Infiniti M35 due to dealer location. Sport model with 18" wheels, limited chrome and spoiler definitely turns heads. For the most part it performs up to its looks which is pretty decent considering its weight and 255 HP. Interior is much improved in the 2008 but very plasticky in the 2007. (Not up to previously owned BMW 740i, Mercedes SL, Jag XK or even Chrysler LHS). Ride is stiff but not uncomfortable handling very good braking powerful. Standard 18" summer sport tires abysmal in fall/winter which led to all-season replacement after 4000 miles (at my expense). Overall mileage of 19.2. Next vehicle? Accura or Lexus mid-size SUV.

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  Phenomenal Ride - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Ed Bauzenberger - October 10 - 9:39 am

  Prior to my purchase of this outstanding motor vehicle, I owned a 2003 and then a 2005 Escalade. No vehicle that I have ever purchased even comes close to matching the 2009 CTS! This includes vehicles like Mercedes Benz and Audi. This CTS is absolutely pure fun to drive, gives a feeling of confidence in all driving situations and is extremely beautiful inside and out. People have come up to me and told me that they think that it is one gorgeous automobile.