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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  2000 Cadillac Seville SLS - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By H.C. Stanley, Jr. - April 26 - 6:12 pm

  Great car, fun to drive around town and on long trips. Around 30 mpg on open road. Luxury and class in one ride.

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  2005 Cadillac STS Rwd 4dr Sedan 3.6L V6 - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By JNo - April 25 - 6:20 pm

  Fabulous. I bought this car used and have put over 6,000 miles on it in two months. It is simply built to smoothly take in the road. If I hold it under 80 I can get around 28 mpg, but wind resistance drags it down at higher speeds. I love the leather heated seats, and the way it was built to NOT accommodate a bunch of clutter. This car is a show piece and turns heads everywhere I go. Perfect.

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  Absolutely love it! - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By Len Cannarozzi - April 25 - 3:37 pm

  This Caddy (ESV) is an absolute dream. The sheer presence is impressive. Everyone that sees this thing loves it. When quickly accelerating the exhaust reminds of the race cars in "Days of Thunder". What a sound - almost better than my Vet. When you enter the car at night, the lighting, both inside and out, are unbelievable. Everything about this vehicle exudes luxury. I have read some complaints about the trans. But, I like the way it works. It tends to quickly go to the next gear. You have to go nearly 80 MPH to get to 2K PRM - an amazing engine. Still, if youre in hurry, you just need to punch it and it takes off. Like the TV ad says, if the Escalade had a bathroom, Id live in it.

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  2004 Model ESV was better - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By Norm - April 24 - 2:55 pm

  My previous model ESV 2004, had features that I felt made it a luxury vehicle. The 2008 seats are hard, do not hold you in position when cornering. The sun visor is poor. Previous model had more flexibility. Headrest ability to bend forward is now seriously lacking. I happened apparently to be one of the few people that used the disc changer system under random ALL. Since the addition of the backup camera this feature has been removed. This last item damed near stopped the purchase. I now wish that I had purchased a Mercedes GL 550. Which at this point in time will be my next purchase and most likely sooner than later. This is my 10th new Cadillac purchase in a row.

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  Comfortable but poor quality - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By David L. - April 23 - 4:58 pm

  This car looks and drives good. Its so quiet and smooth that you have to be careful not to fall asleep on long trips. Quality is another story... Engine started burning oil at the rate of 1 quart every 400 miles. Thank heaven I got the extended warranty! Dealer rebuilt the motor, new pistons and rings, $5600.00 and 3 days in the shop. This car had something break every month. All 4 power window regulators broke, 3 fixes on the brake lights, torque converter problems, stability control warnings, too many things to list here. I recently traded it in because the warranty was about to expire, which had a $100 deductible for each occurrence. Quality was crappy at best. car had less than 70k mi

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  Catalytic converter - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By PATRICIA CRAFFEY - April 22 - 6:56 am

  This car is a nightmare. Since I owned it from 2001 I have replace cat converter and now replacing a third one broke down in ct had to find a dealer to be towed to broke down in NH and had to find a dealer to be towed to. First one I was near a dealer in ma. I have to keep checking the oil because it uses a lot. Dealer said this is "normal" I have a 1995 Cadillac and it runs real smooth. Do not think I will buy another Cadillac. Maybe go to the foreign car even though I said "never". Goodbye to Detroit.

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  Just ok - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By ok - April 21 - 8:02 pm

  I leased this about 18 months ago and it has been a very reliable car. It handles poorly with just the smallest amount of snow or wintry precip on the ground. The gas mileage is around 23 mpg with all highway driving.

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  Big Disapointment - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Jason - April 21 - 7:29 pm

  This is my first Cadillac and over all I have been very pleased. The ride is "Cadillac", handling and performance is more than I expected. However, after only two plus years I am going to trade it in for another SUV. Im in sales and drive over 35K miles per year. My SRX burns a quart of oil every 1.5K miles. It seems as often as I put gas in I put in oil. No Cadillac dealership either wants to or can help me with my issue. Most disappointing!

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  Even Stretched - 1990 Cadillac Brougham
  By LimoMan - April 21 - 2:47 pm

  I actually have a limousine version of this car, which I used as my daily driver for a year and a half. Even with the extra 5 foot stretch on the body it still manages to move itself well with the 5.7 liter engine. Accelerating quick around corners and out of stop lights is mighty fun when youre longer than even the biggest SUVs around! Adding custom stereo equipment was easy (including running wires to the trunk and access under the dashboard). Even though the car is in great shape, lots of repairs have accumulated over the years including water pump, steering pump, fuel tank, hubcaps (they started to squeak and chop up the valve stems), and rear axle (blame that on the extra limo weight).

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  my broken car - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By calsnakes - April 21 - 10:59 am

  I was excited to get this car, however now after 6000 miles and two trips to the shop for MAJOR issues, I am not so happy. First the cooling system failed and it had to be towed, now is a week in for a new camshaft and cylinder heads, if this is what GM is making, this is my first and last.....