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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  Never Again - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Grumpa - July 29 - 1:57 pm

  I have owned several Cadillacs but this 04 has had so many mechanical problems and I only have 26K on it. PS/pump, seat heater, all rotors, LF,RF spindle assem, lic.plate light, 2 window motors, premature tire wear, confusing radio controls, mushy ride. Last GM product for me.

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  Car of a Lifetime - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By SRXLover - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Phenomenal vehicle! After owning countless cars, SUVs, and trucks, this is the one worth waiting for. So comfortable with the countless seating adjustments with heated seats and bolsters. Rides like a Cadillac and handles like a dream. Great fun,too.

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  Unreliable vehicle - 2016 Cadillac XTS
  By silver - July 28 - 1:16 am

  I bought this gorgeous, classy, luxurious and very expensive 2016 Cadillac Platinum top of the line Caddy. After five months and 6000 miles it is sitting in my garage unused waiting to be traded in at a major loss. Serious maintenance problems include a complete loss of power overnight while sitting in the garage. Roadside service had problems starting it with his power pack and finally had to jump start it with an old personal truck that he used. The dealer service department could not find a fault after keeping the car overnight to trace the battery drain. A few days later while on a local drive, the transmission failed! It would not move forward or reverse. The beautiful car sat on the side of the road until road service showed up to tow it to the dealership. The dealer determined parts were needed to repair it and it took almost a week to get it repaired. The transmission is now shifting rough but dealer test shows no fault. Being an elderly owner, I have lost all confidence in the vehicle and do not dare drive it on long trips. I am now using my wifes reliable Honda CRV for long trips. Very embarrassing to tell friends, family and neighbors why this beautiful vehicle sits in the garage unused. Buyers must heed the below average consumer reliability ratings for Cadillac. Beware.

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  Mystic Gray DTS - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By applevalleyallstar - July 27 - 12:31 pm

  Fun to drive, tighter cabin feel,no gas tank release or lock, no automatic break release, rear trunk area too high, no auto trunk close/lock. Leaves a lot to be desired from the previous years of Cadillac ownership. Drivers seat really squeals with the leather rubbing against the console, rear headliner problems. Navigation is great, so is the Bose sound. Gas mileage is less than my previous DTS by three miles city and 2 miles highway. The higher end, shorter body makes it look more like a sport than a luxury sedan. The vehicle has enough power, but sure sucks up the gas when you, step on it. Nice color coordination on the Mystic Gray ext. and the titanium interior.

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  bmw beware - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By cdiez - July 27 - 10:00 am

  a much better combination of performance/comfort than bmw can offer. (Ive driven the entire bmw line, this car matches great against 5s and 3s and I currently own an X-5) The bose sound system and electronics pkg is far superior to that of my bmw. Climate control is also far superior to my BMW. Perfect size...BMW 3 series are just too cramped inside. This car gives nothing away in handling to any bmw sedan except for the M3. Styling is exceptional...get great comments from onlookers everyday. BMWs sedans look like hondas at 50 yards.

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  2003 CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By George A - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Excellent match for someone who wants crisp handling but also wants comfort and convenience for 4 adults. Works well as a daily commuter. Fun to drive. Has a solid feel on the road. It has been a nice step up and good value.

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  Stay away - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By locdoc - July 26 - 7:54 pm

  I leased this car, and within the first year, the car was in the shop for over 30 days! It was first a recall, then rattles in the trunk that took three tries to fix, then a blown speaker, then Homelink failures. Unbelievable! I was never offered anything for my troubles by the dealer or GM. Bottom line, I traded for a 2008 335i BMW sedan and could not be happier. BMW offers so much more for the money. Imagine that, a BMW more affordable and a better value than a Cadillac!! The original list on the Caddy was $65,000, and it wholesaled after I traded it in for $25000, and only after 13 months!!

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  97 DeVille - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By Richard Peck - July 26 - 4:48 pm

  So far this has been a wonderful car. The fit & finish is very good. Its a fun to drive car. The ride is very good for a 11 year old luxury car. About the only option this car lacks, is a moonroof. Everything on this car works. Ive heard a lot of bad things about the Northstar engine. I find it an excellent powertrain. If you keep it from getting overheated, it should last almost forever.

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  The definition of incompetence - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By Lan - July 24 - 5:14 pm

  Smooth as silk if driven on glass. On slightly rough road, it hops a lot. Terrible visibility. Inconvenient entry/exit of rear passengers. Loose fitting panels. doors fill with water when washed. Transmission shifting erratic, and unpredictable (dangerous when towing). Cheep chrome on wheels and roof racks. Too noisy for a Cadillac. Rear suspension leveling is week. Flaws too many to list. Were Cadillacs engineers drunk or just plane incompetent??

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  All looks no quality! Terrible vehicle - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By Josh - July 22 - 8:55 pm

  I have owned 3 range rovers from 2005 up until 2008. I should have kept my range Rover. Its like going from a Porsche to a scooter. This car has no detail and terrible quality. The stitching is poorly done and everything looks like plastic. (wait! Is is all plastic, even the fake wood trim) from a side rear view the escalade looks ugly. The escalade idles very roughly. What do you expect from a gm I guess? Car was probably built in 15 mins. From robots. Good thing I lease this pile of junk cause range Rover is waiting for me.