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:

• 

  Uncomforable drivers seat - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Connie Lara - April 7 - 8:39 pm

  I really enjoy the power my car has but, I really have a problem with the comfort of the drivers seat. After a 3 hour drive my right leg starts to cramp and I get pain in my hip. I attributed this to back surgery but after reading the reviews on this car I am glad to find out it is not me. The dealership has been great but I am disappointed with the car considering it is supposed to be a luxury vehicle.

• 

  Still perfect after 100,000 miles - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Heckofaman - April 7 - 7:38 pm

  This has been a great car and a real bargain. Mine was purchased as a low mileage certified car and is still flawless after over 100k miles driven over some very rough Detroit freeways. I have every option including sunroof, factory chrome wheels, rear sunshade, and Bose system...and every thing works. The dealer has replaced small items like the headlights under warranty and has done a good job of normal maintenance without ever overcharging or suggesting unnecessary service [Ive owned a BMW 6 Series that always needed expensive service]. The ride is firm enough without being harsh...good even over Detroits rough roads, and the steering is still tight. MPG = 28 highway at 75 MPH+

• 

  Meant To Be Driven Until End of Warranty! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By wm - April 6 - 5:35 am

  The cts is absolutely the sexiest car Ive ever driven. Bought it used w/ 35k - certified. Styling, comfort and handling were outstanding. Consistently 30 mpg hgwy! I drive 30k a year, but I baby my cars... Many annoying little things (costly w/o warranty): oil leak, sunroof Glass, loose interior panels, tie rods all before 60k. Worse off at 90k: 2 thermostats. As soon as the warranty ended (a month later): coolant check valves and hoses, head gaskets, rear bearings, etc. "certified" is the best! Buy this car because its excellent... Trade it before the warranty is up... I took a $12k loss and went back to Japanese quality. FYI even the base model accord offers the same options as a CTS.

• 

  first and last - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By first and last - April 6 - 1:35 am

  This is my first caddy and my last. Dont get me wrong, looks great tons of room but it drives like a mack truck and it feels like something is going to break when you go over a bump. I sure miss my range Rover. Thank god I never went off road

• 

  Great Car - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By onia - April 5 - 2:20 pm

  First off, I am in full agreement with all preceding reviews. And I wonder why I havent seen (in last eight months) any media promotion, a commercial or even a simple ad for this sophisticated competitor to the Lexus, Infiniti, BMW, and Benz types. Incidentally, there isnt even any dedicated 2008 STS Forum on Edmunds yet! The only three minuses on the car are the lack of space inside "for stuff" (where to put glasses?), small trunk and overcomplicated nav system, which is, in fact, inferior for instance to the 5-year older 2003 CTS system.

• 

  Parts? - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By ldunlap - April 4 - 3:25 pm

  Bought for my son in college. Nice looking car but expensive to keep up. Parts are hard to find.

• 

  Exactly what I expected - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By BK - April 3 - 10:59 am

  I bought my first Cadillac in October of 07 and have been happy with the experience so far. Exterior style is pretty much the best aspect of the car. Its classy and has an edge. The ride is luxury car smooth for the most part. I dont feel tired most of the time I drive home from a long day at work. Fuel economy is average at best but I expected that. At $3.10/gal a fill up is $60, which lasts me about a week. Build quality is as good as other luxury cars. Lots of cheap plastic and panels that do squeak and come off. It looks good though. Nav system is great. Seats are comfy. And caddy dealers are willing to deal a little for the car. All in all Im very satisfied

• 

  Great car; great pricing - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By tradergar - April 3 - 10:00 am

  downsized form a Lexus 400LS. A little louder and a rougher ride, but handling is great and its fun to drive. No regrets.

• 

  Affordable cadillac style - 1993 Cadillac Allante
  By dabrajr1 - April 2 - 2:25 pm

  I was looking for a used corvette when I found this car. First of all, a very nice one is hard to find and they only made 960 of these and 1993 was the only year for the northstar and the only year for the polo green color. Most people have never seen this car. Second, I would like to know where you can buy a Cadillac 2 seat convertible, like new, with 60K on it for 12K. This car cost over 62K and is an absolute blast to drive and turns heads everywhere I go. Not one problem with it after driven for 10K miles. If you can find one, buy it. I will never sell mine.

• 

  American--and proud of it - 2008 Cadillac DTS
  By JFS777 - March 31 - 10:13 pm

  My Platinum DTS runs rings around the 2000 S-Class I traded in. Couldnt believe what Mercedes wanted for a new one! Are they kidding? Definitely not worth it. The Caddy gives me everything the M-B did--at over twenty grand less. The ventilated seats are great. My next new car will again be wearing the wreath-and-crest and not the three-pointed star.