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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  best cts yet - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By John Ipson - April 20 - 7:30 am

  I bought a cts-v in 2005, and I thought that car was a blast to drive. The 2008 cts, 3.6 d.i., all wheel drive, handles as good, and ride quality is superior to the V. I have to admit, that I love this new cts better than the cts-v. interior is comfortable, the exterior is beautiful! I am in love with my cts!

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  STS not so good - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By David Lovitt - April 19 - 1:36 pm

  Car has been into shop twice with less than 400 miles on the odometer. Today it completely died after refusing to shift into any gear higher than second. Problems with stability control and antilock brake system at 200 miles. Also has some paint flaws that need to be addressed. Im sorry I tried so hard to buy this vehicle.

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  Great interior,unreliable engine area - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By dcmertz - April 19 - 6:55 am

  My husband and I purchased this car 6 months ago. We have since then had the spoiler fall off (without the dealer taking ownership of this) the headlights are already clouded, replaced the front tires, and these are not inexpensive over $200 each. We have also replaced the idle arm, the coolant leaked behind the engine and only one place to get the part, and not inexpensive to fix, We paid 6000. However have in 6 months put in 2600 in repairs. whats next? The car handles great in the winter with over 6" of snow, no complaints there, its just the maintenance is not what we paid for and for the Cadillac name this is very disappointing. Wish we would have read up on it more. Buyer beware.

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  Best SUV - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By BUYUSA - April 18 - 6:42 pm

  I love the Truck, The most impressive thing is the power, it moves, drives very smooth , the NAV is great very easy to follow, I traded up from a Ford Expedition..there is no comparison, this CADI is unreal, I test drove every SUV , the Range Rover and all, testes the CADI last and was sold instantly, Just go drive one! Youll buy one, if you can afford it!!

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  Love this car! - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Mark - April 18 - 1:05 pm

  I test drove a CTS first. It was just Ok. I then drove the STS and Wow. I was sold! Big difference. They want to sell you a CTS at sticker b/c they make more $ on them, but the STS is worth the extra money, it is much more car. Smooth, quiet, luxurious. This is quite simply a nicer car than the 5- series BMW and E-Class Mercedes without the price tag of the BMW or the poor quality of the Mercedes. I could not tell the difference in performance test driving the V-8 and V-6. The DI V6 feels like a V-8. This car simply babies you. Frustrating that you cant get AWD with all the toys in the V-6. I opted for all the toys on a RWD with the 18" chrome wheels package - Car looks awesome.

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  Outstanding Car - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Bob - April 17 - 2:50 pm

  I bought this used, had 36,000 miles on it. First one Ive owned. I am totally in love with this car. Very comfortable, excellent ride. Ive had Audis and a couple of Lexus but I must say this car feels better and a lot more solid.

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  Pretty to Look at, but in the shop often - 1991 Cadillac Deville
  By rt - April 17 - 1:45 pm

  I bought this car used 90K miles after owning two other Caddys as used cars before. The check engine light came on periodically and I had some stalling after a month. The cause of the check engine light was dismissed after multiple diagnostic tests as just "needing a tune up". After a year I replaced the fuel pump, a/c compressor, water pump, starter and had some sort of what seemed like a fuel line problem that no one could find. The Caddy dealer could not find the problem in two hours despite the check engine light. Suspension was like an old taxi after two years. I wouldnt buy another Caddy used.

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  A Keeper - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Caddy Lover - April 17 - 4:25 am

  Great in almost every way. Thought it was me, at 70, turning the chicks head, but turns out its the Red Line Red color. Guys if youre looking for women, forget e-harmony.com, get a 05 STS Red Line Red. Sleek in every way.Sorry i didnt buy the AWD.

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  Love the car ! - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By William H. Helfer - April 16 - 10:15 am

  The car looks great, drives great and has gives me excellent gas mileage. The engine should have more pep. The engine should run a bit more quietly.

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  Long time wanted! - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By sunnyla - April 15 - 4:30 pm

  My wife and I had been planning for a Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander for a while, until we came across SRX at Edmunds.com. We got both dealer and consumer rebates of the month. Now we have it, love it and cant live without it.