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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  Unbelievable Quality - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By Caddy - March 17 - 4:28 pm

  I bought this car new! I formally had an Acura Legend. This car has been more reliable than the Acura, nicer to drive and has only had to have a water pump in the first 100,000 miles. My mechanic tells me that the engine should be good to 300,000 miles. My cadillac dealer has been awesome. I would buy another.

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  Styish, solid, impressive - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Vince - March 17 - 1:51 pm

  I bought this car to replace my 2004 Acura TL that got totaled, and the Caddy really leaves you with a better impression. It drives very much like a Mercedes E-class very solid and confident. The torquey 3.6 L engine accelerates with ease, never feels stressed, and is perfect for hour-plus highway trips, if not for the less- than-stellar fuel economy (at least it takes regular gas). The dash design is a bit homely, to be honest, but the interior is otherwise very pleasant and the seats are really comfortable (although at first it was tricky adjusting it to a comfy position). Polished metal plates on the door sills would be nice, like in other luxury cars.

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  2005 Cadillac CTS - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Cathy - March 16 - 1:06 pm

  Although I have always loved speed (I traded in an 02 Camaro) I got the small 6-cylinder engine in my 2005 Cadillac CTS. It handles beautifully, and has a button on the shift to switch into sport mode. This car has great pickup and a smooth ride.

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  Used 2004 SRX Experience - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Scott Greene - March 16 - 9:35 am

  I love the sound of the Northstar growl during acceleration and its excellent handling. Kids really enjoy the Sky Roof and so do I.

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  Great Ride - 2008 Cadillac XLR
  By R2KVET - March 15 - 7:19 pm

  No doubt, this is a fun car to drive. Its loaded with almost all features you may want. This car is not a Corvette and its probably not for Corvette lovers. Its sophisticated, quiet with a gentle ride. The base powertrain offer enough power for most drivers.

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  Lemon year-run as fast as you can - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Karla - March 15 - 5:26 pm

  I bought this car with 57,000 on it and have put almost $10,000 into it in the last 2 years and it keeps breaking down about every 2 months and cost about $500 or more to fix. I feel guilty selling the car to somebody else because I know they will have the same trouble. The car stalls after you drive 5 miles. I get it fixed and then it works for a while and then breaks again. It pours oil. The tranny is jerking and pretty much I feel like every time I drive it I am lucky to get it home to the driveway again. It is a beautiful Pearl White car and I wish someone could pinpoint the stalling problem. If anyone knows about the stalling let me know. It stalls when I slow down or stop.

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  Luv...Luv.... Luv - 2017 Cadillac XTS
  By R. Harrell - March 15 - 8:51 am

  I bought the XTS Premium model and luv it. I have had Mercedes, BMW and Jaguer and have fallen in luv with Cadillac. The ride, amenities and over all experience has been exceptional. I bough the car after I had bought the XT5 the week prior to replace my Mercedes GL350 and when I was looking at the SUV I decided to test drive the XTS as well. I could not get it out of my mind so went back a week later and bought it as well. I looked at the CTS6 as well but really liked the esthetics and the performance of the XTS much better. I had a CTS- V for a number of years but I can honestly say this XTS is the bomb diggity, Luxury , ride and amenities can not be beat. Years ago you could not get me to buy an American car but I am completely sold.

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  94 STS - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By matt - March 14 - 6:41 am

  i am a proud owner of a 1994 Seville sts. this car drives and rides like a dream i purchased this car for a very good price the only problem is , i spent more on repairs than i paid for the car. dont get me wrong i love this car but the very sensitive Northstar engine demands maintenance. failure to do so will result in very expensive repairs

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  I really wanted to love this car, but... - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By bob - March 12 - 10:51 pm

  Something is always broken. Driveline vibration required axle rebuild. Numerous suspension repairs, particularly front. Replaced the radio 2x. Brake pads last 12,000 miles max. Towed when electric failed due to bad dealer repair. Front fenders crease from mild front impact (small subtle bend in middle of tire well). Dont buy this car if you have children. Seatbelts dont work well with child seats because buckles are too large - cant get the seat tight. Not designed for childseat in safest position in middle rear, just outside positions. And can you believe the 2wd version tipped up in us govt rollover testing. Somehow GM avoided the test for the first 4 years of production.

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  What a surprise! - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By Mike D - March 12 - 5:41 pm

  I have only purchased Japenese luxury cars for the past 20 years. This was the perfect storm, Lexus and Acura didnt ring my bell. I hate Infinity and I can never see eye to eye with the German companies. I decided to look at the Cadillacs. No way I was buying one, but I looked anyway. The test drive was fantastic. After much internal agonizing, I went back. There were large rebates in play and they had exactly what I was looking for. I pulled the trigger! I have never enjoyed a vehicle more. Wonderful engineering, beautiful fit and finish and a great stereo system. It has it all, size, comfort, power and a wonderful 50/50 weight distribution. Kudos to the new Cadillac management!