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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  Exceptional Vehicle - 2018 Cadillac XT5
  By Afam Naper (pen name) - December 1 - 5:17 pm

  I love my XT5. I am in my mid-forties and never thought I would be so car crazy. This vehicle is perfect. Lots of tech features. Some of the things I have been pleasantly surprised by is the visibility and handling in bad weather conditions and at night. I also like the ability to switch transmission from front wheel, AWD, and sport mode. Sport mode is fun and it gives a little mid-life crisis sport car feel or at least as close as you can get when trying to be practical with a family of 5. I live in the Midwest and so deal with the four seasons. This car cruises through them all. If I had only one complaint is the start/stop feature and gas mileage - not great. I am completely used to it, but prefer it didnt have it and perhaps a bit better on gas. I looked at all the luxury models and this had the best combination of styling, technology, comfort, and overall handling. Wife loves the vehicle and the kids love the vehicle which isnt easy since all of them have their opinions and different preferences. I have been in a number of accidents unfortunately and the safety features make me feel really safe. I cannot recommend this SUV enough. I also think the styling competes and in some cases out class its foreign competitors and brings something that is uniquely American to it.

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  Cadillac Builds a Winner - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By JHoss - November 28 - 11:22 pm

  My new 2.8L CTS rocks. The design, performance, and interior quality are extremely impressive. The 2.8L engine provides impressive acceleration.

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  Performance of my 92 Cadillac - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By Thomas Cummins - November 27 - 7:27 pm

  My 1992 Cadillac DeVille has been one of the best cars I have had the pleasure of owing! Dealer service of this car is the best way to go, as many independents are not sure how to service this engine.

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  Great Luxury Sports SUV - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By troy - November 26 - 2:58 pm

  I love my 2006 Cadillac SRX. It drives like a sports car, looks great and has great utility.

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  Cadillac DeVille - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By tim powers - November 25 - 8:36 pm

  My 1995 Cadillac DeVille is the most reliable car that I have ever owned. I have never had any problems with mine and it gets good gas milage for a big V8. This is a very comfortable car with great styling.

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  2002 Cadillac, white diamond, tan top - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By R Reiter - November 25 - 3:28 pm

  This has been the best car I have owned. It is my fourth Cadillac. My out of warranty expenses have been four new tires at 45,000 miles and an extensive check up at 60,000. My car currently has 63,000 miles on it. It has superior finish. The back up radar is very useful. I am trying to decide on how long to keep it. My friend has one with 125,000 miles on it and is happy.

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  Downsized Caddy and Lovin It! - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Luv My SRX! - November 24 - 11:54 pm

  The 2006 Cadillac SRX is awesome! I sold my Escalade a year ago and downsized to GMC Envoy to save money, but I missed the Caddy style and feel. I am 45 years old and this is my mid-life "fun-to-drive SUV." Ive got four great kids and they love it too! It has a powerful V8 engine, great handling, and excllent options like the DVD, Navigation, and Big Sky Glass Roof.

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  Caddylicious - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By opus229 - November 21 - 2:07 pm

  What a great car! I bought the 50th Anniversary Gold Package Edition 1999 Cadillac DeVille on Ebay recently and its a real head-turner. Not to mention the air-ride, lotsa room, a REAL trunk, power everything, comfort and the ride, ride, ride! Ive had new Lexi, a few BMWs and Mercedes and its ride is head and shoulders above all of them put together. OK, it doesnt corner like the overpriced German junk or go 160 mph, and although the Japanese have most of it right they just dont seem to have it as good as the Caddys. I have a Corvette or two and its funny how when I get in the 1999 Caddy I start to drive real slow! It must be my way of enjoying the phenominal ride! Grab one up if you can!

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  Alive at 191,000 miles - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By Ruthie - November 17 - 10:37 am

  I purchased my 1992 Cadillac DeVille on a lark in 1995 without research and was expecting to suffer from my rashness. However, this car has been a dream. It is attractive, classy, extremely comfortable, steady on the road and safe. Ive had two accidents, one nearly totally the car, with no injuries (thank God). Regarding gas milage, thanks to the computer, I can monitor my driving style and easily get 21 mpg city - better than many new cars on the market. At 191,000 miles, the motor is in excellent shape with mainly routine maintenance for the 10 years I have owned the car. I want a new car now, but each time I look and compare it with what I have, and car payments, I just keep driving.

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  Just the truth.... - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By Brad P. - November 17 - 6:02 am

  I bought this car with 114,500 miles and now has 132,000. I have had absolutely no problems of any kind, and it is still as tight as a brand new car. My gas mileage is 16.8 in town (avg.), and 24.7 on freeway (avg.) I have done as much as 31.2 mpg on a freeway trip from Portland OR to Eugene OR with the cruise control set the whole 128 miles at 55 mph. With proper care and maintainence, I fully expect to surpass the 292,000 miles I put on my 1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, and would not be surprised if I make it to 350,000-400,000. It is my opinion that these 93 coupes are way undervalued, as there were only 4,127 of the 2 door models made, and they are such excellent, safe, reliable, and powerfull cars.