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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  CTS by JFD - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By JFDCPA - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Got tired of waiting for the new Acura TLs to be released and so I bought my CTS instead. What a great move! It rides well, looks great, and is fun to drive. And all of this for a reasonable price. My past experience with Cadillac was not a good one (I owned an 87 Eldorado). However, this one is looking like it is going to be much better.

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  Got A Lemon - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Rick - February 13 - 9:27 pm

  1500 miles, rear axle seal bad, check engine light on, and ABS sensor bad, no sensor available, car in shop for 8 days tillone became available. 1800 miles 2 months old check engine light on again. Water getting in two cylinders, GM wanted to repair the motor, I wanted a new one. Local dealership finally told GM it was a block problem couldnt be fixed. Been in the shop 3 weeks, might get it back in a couple of days. Caddy talks the talk but certainly doesnt walk the walk as far as customer service goes. This is my 17th new GM car and the last. They should have replaced the car instead of hassling me about repairing the motor.

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  The Big Sipper - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By Brak - February 13 - 10:00 am

  It aint a Prius, but I am getting much better city mileage than in my previous CX-9. I have been pleasantly surprised that I have not given up much in terms of acceleration but gained so much in luxury, comfort and space. The legend is (not from the dealer but my research) that this is one of the "bail- out mobiles" driven from Detroit by the GM execs that were blasted for flying the private jets. A bunch of them came off lease and I got this for $11k-$13k below retail (according to Edmunds and KBB). Looks a lot better once I got all the blasted "Hybrid" decals off. We are in love with the Big Sipper.

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  I love my SRX - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By CindyB - February 12 - 9:45 am

  I got exactly what I was expecting when I purchased my SRX. I rented a 2007 model while on vacation and fell in love with it. I got back from vacation and bought one four days later. I bought it fully loaded and do not regret my choice.

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  We are buying a 2nd 08 CTS! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Karen Toone - February 11 - 11:21 pm

  My husband purchasd this car through a company car leaseback program which does not allow anyone else to drive it. After sneaking around in this vehicle for the last month, all I can say is "wow". I became obsessed with the ride of this car, and we are now leasing a silver/black fully loaded unit due to arrive in March.

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  Excellant DHS - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By robert armendariz - February 11 - 4:14 pm

  This car is in very good and excellant condition, have gotten a lot of good compliments on and very very nice to drive. Have gotten 25 mpg on hwy and approx. 18+ in the city. Dealer maintaince kept. Beautiful color (Cashmere)with chrome wheels, chrome fender guards and bottom chrome doors. OnStar equip. Full leather uphostery and heated seats.

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  So far so good - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Tommy from Jersey - February 11 - 4:05 pm

  Purchased used from dealership. Car is in good condition was garage kept. Ride good fuel about 25 MPG Highway mostly. City about 15 . Always wanted a Caddy even though it is 6 yrs old with only 35,000 miles drives great.

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  2004 Escalade EXT ownership - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By William J Mammone - February 11 - 3:33 am

  Very glad I purchased this vehicle. It rides and handles and tows great. Comfortable and easy to drive. It can carry people or items 8 long with the midgate down. Suits all of my needs.

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  CTS v. BMW 328i - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Cadillac Jack - February 10 - 7:21 am

  Ive had this car for about six months now and I love it even more than I did on day one. Its my second car in the entry luxury market, with my first being the 98 328i. I know how much I really love this car because all I want to do is "dress her up" and take her out on the town. My only complaints are related to comfort and interior design. After about one hour in this car I want stop and fix the pain in my back, no matter how I adjust the seats. Our 2002 Camry XLE seating and interior features are superior to the Cadillac which is a shame. Well never use this car for road trips. This car was a poor choice with two young kids in the back seat. In so many ways, it reminds me of the 328

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  OK luxury sedan - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By kialover15 - February 9 - 4:01 pm

  My grandparents have a 1994 Cadillc Deville, it is getting old and losing its charm, but it is basicly a good car. The seats are getting lower and lower, but they are comfortable. The ride is a little rough too. Gas mileage is only good on the express ways though, in the city we average of about 15.5 mpg. The side mirrors need to be larger for such a big car. Nothing ever seems to go wrong with it though, never had to change a light in it, never had engine problems, guess that is why we still have it 15 years later.