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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  eas - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By tenmark262 - June 8 - 8:44 pm

  I LOVE this car. Had one other and an Impala SS and Buick Roadmaster Wagon (same b-body platform). Detuned LT1 (0-60 in 8.5 secs) is easy on gas (18/20 city and 22/24 highway)and very reliable. Truthfully, the car will fall apart around the engine and transmission. Some designed-in ergonomic/interior fascia flaws but with bone yards ripe with these cars youve got plenty of cheap replacement parts at the ready. If youre looking for a reliable floaty boaty car, this it it. Tomorrows collector car, for sure. But then again, how popular are 55 Cadillacs today?

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  Very happy with CTS. No more Beemers. - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Christ Stangeo - June 7 - 8:38 pm

  For the money, this car has the most beautiful ride and style I have had the pleasure to own. BMW cars constant service and arrogant dealer attitude sent us over to Cadillac. 100% satisfied with CTS, we have finally escaped the German car thing.

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  Fantastic ride! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Glynn Campbell - June 7 - 10:33 am

  This is the sexiest car on the road, and is like driving your living room down the road, albeit a high performance living room! Quiet, comfortable and the most reliable car Ive ever owned

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  Second Caddy - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Paul - June 6 - 9:56 am

  After fully enjoying a certified pre-owned Deville, we opted for another certified pre-owned Caddy. This time we traded for a barely used level 4 Performance DTS. This car has almost every option Cadillac makes and has been a joy to drive. At almost half the sticker price with a 6 year/100K warranty, we thought the car was a bargain. It looks no different than an 08!

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  Good hwy mpg & comfort - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By S Tucker - June 5 - 10:27 am

  A very impressive looking car. Very comfortable, quite, powerful. Mpg in town not so good, hwy very good for the size car, 55-60 mph, I average 30 mpg. So for a long trip, with all of that room & comfort it is a pleasure. Not to mention that we feel very safe in it.

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  One of the nicest cars Ive ever owned - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By David - June 5 - 7:21 am

  This is one of the best cars Ive owned. The power train is smooth and powerful. It handles like a sports car. I love the crisp angular styling. It is very comfortable for long trips. The drivers seat is supremely comfortable (on the other hand the front passenger seat is uncomfortable). The car has been totally reliable except for a sun shade that came loose. The interior has too much plastic and doesnt give a luxurious impression. The car is priced like a small BMW or Mercedes but has the interior room of their larger 500 and E series. One of the most endearing features is the extremely small turning radius. The car is very nimble and easy to park as a result.

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  Small Cadi with a V8...COOL - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By T Pascucci - June 5 - 6:02 am

  Used Cadillac is a great value (recommend certified used) a blast to drive, sharp looks, shifts beautifully, lots of toys.

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  Not For Me - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By 2005 STS - June 4 - 1:34 pm

  The STS is a sleek, stylish car, but difficult to drive. There are too many complications such as not being able to see out of the back window, when anyone else drives it i.e. my husband, the rear view mirror change direction, but do not change back when I drive, also the radio automatically changes to another station or the disc changes. I do not like not having a key and I do not like the door locks, just to name a few.

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  My 2004 CTS - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Robert Leo - June 4 - 10:00 am

  As evidenced by the miles on the car, I do not drive a lot. However, the car provides what I ask of it when needed. The ease and comfort of operation is exceptional.

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  So Sad for Cadillac - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Kimberly - June 4 - 9:28 am

  Bought this car used for my daughter. HUGE mistake, looks are deceiving! It wasnt enough that the salesman saw us coming and I paid nearly $3000 for what the car was worth, Ive put so much money into repairs that I could have bought myself a BMW! Two months after owning it, the trans went, then a sensor that controls the gears, then the whole dash went out, brake lights which was electrical. It was $850 for a tune up, a hose that cost $700, several electrical problem, too many to mention. I am now selling it, really cheap!!!!! And yes, Ive lost money on this car big time!