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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  repairs - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Suz - August 25 - 12:25 pm

  I am a lady that loves her 1995 Fleetwood dream car. Ive had my car since 1997. I have always taken the best of care for it. As far as the engine goes, I have had to replace the water pump about 3 times, the radiator 1 time, but I do have a lot of good miles on the car. The gear shift needle broke so it shows the needle in park at all times and my mechanic seems to be having a hard time replacing the part. The rear side chrome strips have bubbled, one even peeled, need to be replaced. I love the car so much that I may consider getting a new engine for it one day as opposed to a new Cadillac, they have no class anymore.

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  The Cost of a Catera. - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By doujd - August 24 - 3:49 pm

  I love this car, however keeping it on the road has not been the cheapest of ventures. The head controllers, which control the A/C temp cost about $1000 a piece and the car has two of them, my radiator light is always on after much tampering, and the Air Bag light is always on, which could be the result of a $701 part. Last fall, 2007, the car was being driven from Memphis to Atlanta and the transmission gave out. A $3,000 fix, there was a leak in the A/C Tubing and that was around $80- $90, the way things are connected seemed random. I had a fuse blow out and it knocked out my radio, my interior lights, my automatic door locks, and my fog lights. Love to car, just high maintenance.

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  Nice car - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By drjoe - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Is it a car or is it a truck. I have had SUVs of shapes and sizes (mostly german). This is comfortable and powerful even as a 6.

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  Satisfied - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By hadrn - August 24 - 3:29 am

  My 97 Eldorado is beautiful. A Peanut butter-top on burgundy, with brand new 2008 Cadillac-Vove Rims, dipped in gold and of course brand spanking new Vove tires. I reside in Los Angeles, California, where everyone show and tell their cars, and although Im refined my Eldorado holds its own against any fancy car, even Bentleys, in the looks department. I cant say much about my powerful motor, my Cadillac dealer takes care of that stuff, but I will comment on fuel efficiency being up to par and how well my Eldorado takes care of me when Im out and about on the highways and by- ways.

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  Excellent Machine - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Luxury Dream Machine - August 24 - 1:04 am

  Although, the interior has mechanical issues those who are complaining about cost do not buy a Mercedes Benz or BMW after all its German made. Foreign parts are expensive but I love it & I dont care how much I have to pay. My motto is if you treat it right. It will treat you right. IF you hate this you will hate a 98 ford Contour. I have 181,000 miles on it & it does not drive or sound smooth like the catera. My wife & I are spoiled with the catera. So do not buy this car for looks. Buy it for responsibility. Dont worry about what people say form your own opinions. I would rather have a German machine than an American made machine. They tend to fall apart after it reaches 180,000 miles.

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  Expensive Blessing - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Travis Lww - August 22 - 4:43 pm

  I bought this Cadillac very inexpensive with 112,000 miles and it was nearly perfect for a year. It is a NICE car! It is definitely the nicest car Ive ever owned but it has taught me how to be a mechanic. I had some problems with Actuator motor on the AC, automatic levelers, ticking noise caused by me pinching a wire going to the hazard lights. It took me forever to figure that one out. Recently Motor went bad at 137,000 miles after a timing belt broke. Interference motor, terrible idea. I bought the updated replacement motor. Hoping it will be around a long time now. Still love the car and its been worth the money. My biggest advice is by the DEALER manuals and work on it.

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  2009 Cadillac CTS - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Ms. Stone - August 22 - 10:12 am

  Took possession of a new 09 CTS 3 days ago. Chose it over an Infiniti M45X and hoped I would not regret it. So far, so good. This car is a beautiful automobile and fun to drive. I have Black Cherry color and it is loaded with the performance package.Controls are easy to understand much like the 06 Cadillac DTS that I just sold. As far as reliability, I cant comment because I have only had it 3 days. I love driving this car and do not regret going to a 6 cylinder from the 8 cylinders that I have always driven. Way to go Cadillac! Oh yes. A back up camera would be a wonderful addition. My 2009 CTS has the huge sunroof, which is great.

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  Not a real Cadillac - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By dcv - August 22 - 9:15 am

  The car drives like a dream, however, the check engine light will not go off. No one can find the problem. The rear middle seat belt locks and cannot be used. The gas mileage is horrible. A new fuel pump at 70K cost me $917. If you try to run anything except premium fuel, you will find yourself in a world of hurt. My advice is to buy a real Cadillac (Deville, for example). Better mileage, better service. Cadillac needs to stand behind this product and make it right. I sure wish I had bought a Deville!

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  love my srx - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By jojo - August 21 - 9:53 am

  This is my second srx. Bought first in 2004 when it first appeared. Loved that one. But the 2008. Is much nice. Nicer interior, better ride, love the look.

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  Rattle Trap - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By GWilliams - August 21 - 7:42 am

  I love the look of this car and driving it is great. The car really has lots of get up and go when you need it. However, now that its a few years old (30K miles), everything is starting to rattle on it. I wanted to buy a newer model, but now I dont think I would buy another one. They cost too much to be such rattle traps, especially so soon.