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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  The time of your life! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By ClevelandDan - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my CTS for about a month and bought it after test driving the BMW 3 and 5 series several times. Long time Honda owner, but had to look at American cars after seeing so many look alikes from the Japanese & Germans. Tough to tell an Audi from a BMW from a Toyota. The CTS is a blast to drive - almost seems like it is reading your mind when you want to change lanes. Once you begin moving over you better be ready - the CTS is very responsive. Can easily cruise at 80 mph and you dont even notice. I defintely use my radar detector at all times. Great turning radius as well, very tight and quick.

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  Great Car - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By rados123 - May 26 - 8:03 pm

  What a great vehicle, this is my first G.M. car. Fast, comfortable, (Im 63) great car for the price.

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  Owners first ride - 2008 Cadillac DTS
  By Don - May 26 - 7:34 pm

  I took some of the advice from others on the internet and looked for a car to take long rides in. It is ideal. It is roomy and quiet.

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  Best luxury sports sedan - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Charlie Higgins - May 26 - 6:23 pm

  Since January my wife and I have driven this vehicle daily. At 250 miles we took off to Florida from Ohio and averaged 24 mpg at 68 mph. Many times I took it above 75. The six speed transmission feels almost continuously variable. We purchased the navigation option along with the luxury interior package and AWD. I agree 18" wheels would have been nice but the HD brakes are not compatible with this larger wheel. The car performance is smooth and controllable compared to the BMW 535 and the Mercedes E Series. We test drove the CTS and agree with other reviewer that there is no comparison . Quality is unassailable and with 5500 miles ytd we would purchase all over again.

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  1994 Cadi - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By Jerry - May 26 - 12:05 pm

  Purchased the vehicle with 34,000 miles on it. Vehicle looked perfect, but had a poor heating system during the cold months. Coolant was leaking and spent over $500 to fix the gasket. Then started leaking in another place. I would think Cadillac would have done something to prevent this, after all the great things I thought I heard about their vehicles. Will never own another one, way to expensive to keep running, and could not trust the vehicle on the road.

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  My SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By jra5543 - May 24 - 10:05 pm

  Have not been pleased with this Cadillac. I had never owned a General Motors product and I can truthfully this will be the last one. Compared to the 8 Fords I have owned (and driven over 100K each) there is no comparison to GM. I will be going back to Ford. The transmission is extremely rough shifting at lower speeds - normal says the dealer. It uses a QT of oil every 1000 miles - no leaks says the dealer. The check engine light goes off and on but the dealer cant find out why. The air pressure senors on the rear tell me both tires are flat after one hour on the road - not even going to ask the dealer to try to fix that.

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  Outstanding SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Boinz - May 24 - 5:34 pm

  Drove about 5 used SRXs before I selected this one. They all drive differently - mainly suspension. I particularly love the smoothness of acceleration and braking. Had wood steering wheel and console... added wood kit from dealer. Previously had a Mercury Mountaineer. Like the increased gas mileage - averaging 18.9 in mixed driving per the computer.

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  Lots of small problems! - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By Lomcc - May 24 - 10:15 am

  I leased this car almost a year ago because I could get a great lease deal and liked the styling. The engine and transmission are the best features on this car. It rides extremely well and has lots of power! The problem is in the details. The Bluetooth is a joke. Our BMW works light years better. The navigation system interface was poorly designed. It is confusing much harder to use than any other I have tried. There has already been one recall, plus a loose metal piece that had to replaced in the trunk, plus a non- working Homelink garage opener, plus lack of good steering wheel controls. For the same price, you could get a BMW that is MUCH better!

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  One Sweet Car - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By foxtrot571 - May 22 - 12:12 am

  After 30 years in the working world and turning 55 years young, it was time to reward myself. And, with all of the imported sport sedans everywhere, I wanted to stand out in a big way. My CTS with a black exterior/interior was a dream come true. I never thought I could love a car, but this one makes me love driving to and from work. Ive gotten compliments in Beverly Hills from Benz, BMW, Infiniti, and Lexus owners. The Cadillac art and design concept blends so well in this car. The marriage of the design, engineering, manufacturing, and assembly is really impressive. This car is one HOT HEART THROB! I want to drive it everywhere! Im proud to own an American car again!!Go Cadillac!

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  I bought the STS lemon - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Linda L. Felton - May 21 - 2:29 pm

  I purchased my STS in January, 2005 and was stranded on the highway by October, 2005 needing a new gear shift. Since December 21, 2006 I have been stranded with a dead battery six times and rough riding with the check engine light twice on Sunday trips of 200+ miles. By the time I get to the dealership after being delivered 5 new batteries in 3 years, the problem cannot be duplicated. Neither of the two dealerships have been able to duplicate the problems so they say there is no problem. There were 6 month intervals from 2006-2007 but 2008 has already recorded January 24, February 18, and May 18.