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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  Happy - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Ralph Rogers - March 21 - 1:00 pm

  I had one of the first Northstar engines in 1993 on a Cadillac Eldorado. I was very happy with that engine so I had to get the Performance model in my 2006 DTS. It took me a short while to learn about all the toys such as heated/cooled seats and the massage feature. The Performance model has all the toys but is well worth the purchase just to get the engine. After I sold my 1993 Cadillac I went in 2000 I went with a Lincoln Towncar Cartier Edition. The car was fine but I missed my Cadillac. The DTS rides and drives great and the Performance model is the one to buy. Get the added chrome wheels. It really sets the car off. I am very happy.

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  Best Value for a Used Luxury Car - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By ChuckW - March 21 - 11:18 am

  I bought this 2004 lease return vehicle with 30,000 miles on it in the summer of 2004 for less than $25,000. Thats Toyota Camry territory. It is quiet, comfortable, and gets 27-28 MPG on the highway. It has a full factory warranty thru 50,000 miles and I bought an aftermarket warranty through 125,000 miles. My wife drive this one while I drive either the 98 Seville with 135,000 miles (another lease return bargain bought 5 years ago) or the 94 Fleetwood lease return with 200,000 miles bought in Dec 94.

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  Love this car!!! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Jean Stanford - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I have the luxury sport package and its everything I wanted. Its sporty and fun, yet roomy enough for passengers and luggage. It has power and style. I didnt expect to like it this much, as I previously had a more expensive luxury sport import. However, this car is a dream and I am very glad I purchased it.

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  Sweet Ride - 1999 Cadillac Eldorado
  By fishbone70 - March 20 - 5:07 am

  I have had my Eldorado for nearly a year now. I cannot tell you how the black exterior coupled with the black interior turns heads. The power is always there. I love dusting off little import tuners...they always underestimate the power of American design! I love this car!

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  Great ride - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By rick - March 18 - 11:40 pm

  When someone starts gives you how big a seat is in inches, I kind of figure theyre a competitor and not an owner. Ive owned more than a few SUVs in my including the RX (3), Audi (1), a Highlander, an Infiniti and1 other American SUV besides a Caddy. Had a SRX which quite frankly I didnt care for. I now own an XT5 and it is a great car. Transmission is 8 speed so its moving through gears nicely. Blue tooth hookup and what I like is if the phone rings, the A/C gets quieter automatically. I like that there are now more buttons and less of that touch screen. I hated pushing the screen to increase the A/C. Now its a button. The rear view camera can be used as your rear view mirror so if there are people in the back seat, your view will not be blocked. Im 6 foot but not overweight so I find the seats very comfortable. My legs havent fallen asleep while driving. All in all, Im happy with this SUV and I believe it compares favorably with the RX.

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  The real deal - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Dan - March 17 - 5:18 pm

  Recently drove my CTS 3.6 from Monterey to Big Sur and back on the Pacific Coast Highway. I drove at the limit up and down the hills and hairpin curves never using the brakes - just the sport shift! It was as if the car was on rails! I own a Mercedes and have owned a VW and a BMW. It handles just as well these do - but is more comfortable. It glides in and out of traffic with terrifc acceleration and with smooth, effortless shifting. GM doesnt know how good a car they have. Interior could be a little sexier.

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  GM gets it right - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike L. - March 16 - 6:39 am

  Ive have nothing but praise for this mid-size sedan. It handles flawlessly, its extremely comfortable, and has all the options anyone can possibly want. The 2.8L engine is as fast, if not quicker off the line than my 2003 Bonneville. GM has a winner.

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  What a Pretty Car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By tbs - March 15 - 2:00 am

  No car I have ever driven has received so much attention as my CTS. I have been stopped at least twice a week since I got the car with people providing favorable feedback. If you dont want attention, dont drive this car. It is extremely confortable for the long haul and has the acceleration, handling, and braking to mix it up in traffic. Glad I got it.

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  Worthy of Cadillac Name - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Chas. - March 13 - 12:07 pm

  This is my third Escalade. Have had an 02 and 04 and now 07. This is the best yet. They solved most all of my issues with previous models. Dash is lower and well laid out, visibility better both fore an aft. Seats are a little smaller but still very comfortable. New 6 speed tranny is much better on response through the full range and seems to get better mileage than my 04. Navigation system is a vast improvement. Ride is much more controlled. Plush without giving up responsiveness. Fold and tumble seats are nice but having to manually put them back up is a waste. Power lift and close rear gate is a wonderful feature.

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  Why a CTS over a Euro or an Asian Car? - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By kaneb - March 13 - 2:00 am

  I test drove many cars, read consumer reports and pushed Internet fleet sales managers to madness for their lowest price for over a year. I took my time to find the car that fits my lifestyle (you dont need an SUV). My friends have BMW 3 Series, Mercedes 240 and Lexus IS/GS so I got a free test drive from them. I spun the Acura Sports and Nissan Altima as well as a few salesman around the block at local dealerships.