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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  Three years of Joy - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By John - January 18 - 11:32 pm

  I cant tell you how much I have enjoyed this car. Im six feet tall and long waisted so the head room was one of the great features. The ease of driving and ride are also very good. It is the only car that I am comfortable in on a trip. Ive had three back operations and still can sit with ease when I drive. I get 26 mpg highway miles and 16 in the city. My wifes 2005 PT Cruser doest get that.

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  Luv my Caddy - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Denise - January 18 - 7:24 pm

  I needed a car with some good comforts for traveling as I drive long distance about 8 hours a day, 3 times a week. I had been driving other cars and noticed how stiff I was after getting out of the car. When I first got my Cadillac I noticed that my back no longer hurt. Oh what a relief, that alone was well worth me getting this car. I am looking forward to my next Cadillac.

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  Delighted - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By B - January 16 - 10:25 pm

  Were delighted with our 2006 Cadillac DTS and would gladly do it again. It has a large trunk for hauling gifts to children and grandchildren was an important feature for us and this car delivers on that. Weve been surprised and delighted at how good the gas mileage is on the highway - 27+ mpg. Everything about the car has been great, and it compared extremely well price-wise and feature-wise to other luxury cars.

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  It Smoked a Mustang GT - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By John Fonzo - January 13 - 12:53 am

  Just got my 2006 Cadillac CTS and I love it! I go back to the muscle cars in the 60s and 70s when I didnt like Cadillacs, but loved my GTO and Olds 442. I thought they were fun on the Georgia Highways at 140 mph, but they would not be a match for my CTS 3.6 Black Beauty, today. This car is a good reason to continue to cheer on our American manufacturers. Today at a stop light it smoked a Mustang GT to 80 MPH. He couldnt stay with it. I knew the CTS was good, but what suprised is me how good.

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  Lots of Looks - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By PTL - January 12 - 2:37 am

  I purchased this car used and have loved it ever since. Love the 5-speed smooth auto. transmission. The CTS can move and corners great. The Navigation / radio / CD system is easy to use. The glove box is the only thing that is poorly designed , it is rather useless except for housing your owners manual. The trunk space is large and easy to load and unload.

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  Combination of Luxury and Performance - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By pres - January 9 - 7:02 pm

  The 2005 Cadillac STS is an excellent blend of comfort and performance. It has good power, road manners, a good feel for the road, and handling. Its adroit yet comfortable. The appearance of this car is sharp, but with a rich look.

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  This truck saved my life - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By docoakley - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I put about 7000 miles on the truck in three months before it became involved in an accident that totaled the truck, but allowed everyone to walk away from it with zero injuries. The truck is just a great, fun vehicle. I always had a smile on my face when I jumped in to go for a ride. By the way, yes, I currently have a 2005 on order!

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  V8 STS - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By David Anderson - January 8 - 6:44 pm

  The 2006 Cadillac STS V8 is truly a Cadillac and a sports car. It handles like a dream and gives great gas mileage too boot.

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  Had a CTS and now driving an ATS - 2016 Cadillac ATS
  By Matt Spencer - January 8 - 8:04 am

  Biggest downside, car is its a large compact. After that watch out it is a fun drive. Great cornering and excellent acceleration provide an excellent feel behind the wheel. The car is 5 star safety in every category making the overall experience that much better. Had previous experience with 2.0 turbo and it was problem free although I only drove it for 50k miles. If you are not looking for a large sedan this could be your car. Drive it and you will like it.

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  Great "Blingmobile" - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Ross Caputo - January 7 - 10:53 pm

  I purchased my 1996 Cadillac Eldorado used with 36,000 miles on it. The previous owner added wire wheels, vogue tires, atainless rocker panels, wheel well fender trim, and white Landau top. The paint is a beautiful metallic maroon. I constantly get positive comments from passers-by. It has a very responsive Northstar engine and holds the road really well. My previous car was a 92 Eldorado, black with a cream interior in great shape but when I happened upon this car I was really taken by the look. I had to have it. Having experienced some repair costs with my prevoius Eldorado I decided to purchase a warranty plan with this one. Cadillac dealer repairs are extremely expensive. I look forward to driving this car, too bad theyve dropped production.