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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  Never Again - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Rob - March 28 - 12:28 pm

  Bought this car in May of 2007 with 53,000 miles on it, and it has been trouble ever since. First power window motors went out. Second crank seal caused oil leak (At 62,000 miles). During repairs mechanic forgot to put a latch on the right front passenger wheel causing me to lose a wheel (Thankfully) in a garage. Dealership would not refund me the money of the repairs even though they were dangerously done. Now the car is in the shop due to two blown head gaskets. Cadillac Customer Service department is not willing to help out with anything.

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  WOW! 38 Grand is a Bargain for CTS 08 - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Bob Georges - March 27 - 12:56 am

  Looked at BMW, however found nothing with any options in this segment for under $52,000. Stopped by the Cadillac Dealer on way home and purchased "on the spot" CTS 08 Black Cherry. For the money, you absolutely cannot beat this vehicle. Extremely happy with purchase at over 3,000 miles.

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  Happy Customer - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By marajoe - March 25 - 9:30 pm

  First of all I love this car. I looked at Lexus and infiniti. I just loved the CTS. So I took a two year lease on this one. I got it fully loaded. I did have problems with the dealer. The first salesman I spoke to left, then the second sales person quit. I was on a role, but i still bought it and I am happy I did. I ended up with a great guy, he was trying to make up for a bad situation.

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  My opinion - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Harold Brooks - March 25 - 9:24 pm

  It is a real pleasure driving this vehicle. The battery burned out recently and a new one was purchased. It is equipped with OnStar, which had come in handy in several occasions. The sensors make it easy to park in tight places. The low mileage is a result of not taking any long trips.

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  GM has come a long way - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Brian - March 25 - 6:39 pm

  Hi, Bought a Direct Injection set up in the caddy and are really pleased with it. The engine and trans really team together. The insides are very well designed and well made with the controls easy to reach. 40 gig with 10 speakers is the best.Very easy to program the inside thru the computer set up. Body lines and panel spacing are perfect not like the older GM models. Trunk area is good .Got the all season tire pack. and is a good ride.GM could make bigger door compartments and standard garage door opener,but thats my only beef. Had 3 bmws before and went back to GM, cant beat it for the money and quality.

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  Surprisingly good - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By domesticdude - March 25 - 4:33 pm

  Cadillac is on a role, and the Escalade is no exception. It has great looks, lots of luxury and features, 403 hp, and an exhaust note from a muscle car. I never thought i would buy and SUV, but the Escalade sold itself. The power and exhaust note surprised me most as it is quick (for and SUV), and sounds great. The handling also really surprised me as it handles like a much smaller car. The only negatives i can fin is the old school tilt only steering wheel, third row seat ( everything about it from room to not power folding), and a light in the rear of the car rattles. The GPS in this car is absolutely fantastic, it is the highlight of an already great interior. Just a great SUV.

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  Great Car, Little Nitpicks - 2006 Cadillac XLR
  By domesticdude - March 25 - 4:22 pm

  Every time i walk into my garage i just stare in awe for a few seconds. With this parked next to my 2007 XKR it is a sight to see. The XLR is one of the best head turning cars period. It just looks incredible, and when you add the retractable hardtop thats reason enough to buy it. I have the regular XLR and it is quick, but one can tell it needs a little more power and desperately needs a better exhaust note. The interior is a little cramped, im 6 ft tall, and lacks storage. Personally i like the interior, its nice enough and is very user friendly, though it could be nicer. IT is just a great overall car.

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  Awesome Car - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By Rhonda - March 24 - 3:59 pm

  This is the first Caddy Ive ever owned,and I am truly impressed with everything about it, I love the way it handles, and the comfort of the ride. I am spoiled now and will always look at Cadillacs when I need to buy my next car.

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  First Caddy... but not last! - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Deville owner - March 23 - 9:43 pm

  At forty-one, Im probably younger than the average Deville owner. But with four children and a wife, I needed a vehicle that seated six. Few choices exist outside an SUV or minivan. I recently purchased a used 04 w/ 57k. In the short time Ive owned it, Ive found it to be comfortable, fun to drive and surprisingly economical. I average 29 mpg highway (around 18 city). The NorthStar V8 & trans are smooth and quite. While Im not sure I would have paid $40k + for this car four years ago, the poor re-sale value puts it in a class by itself for a used car! I will own other Cadillacs in the future. Im also fond of the 08 CTS & DTS. However, the new STS styling needs to be bolder.

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  1994 cadillac sts - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By walter van horn - March 23 - 9:08 pm

  purchased car with 94,000 miles, now have 116,000 did normal services, tires, brakes,cooling system, repaired wires that shorted out going to fuel injectors. Car runs well gets 17 to 26 miles a gallon. Bose stereo is great, handles well, ac compressor went out have to be replaced. car is driven to work 25 miles a day but performs well on the road at 70 to 75 mph