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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  Look forward to driving to work - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Bill Miller - February 8 - 3:17 pm

  Sometimes you have buyers remourse when you buy a big ticket item. I have colleagues who have indicated such with their Lexus, Mercedes and BMWs - but definitely not the case here. Ive found that I look forward to going to work because I get to drive this car! Ive had it for 3 months and its been fantastic. My friends with different luxury nameplates are envious and for the 1st time - considering a Cadillac. I love it.

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  Classic Eldorado - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Jerry Price - February 7 - 12:43 pm

  This car is comfortable, quiet, sporty, and powerful. It has been very reliable and still has a nice style after seven years. We are still pleased with the 28 MPG on our long trips.

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  Still a great car after 14 years - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By BobH - February 6 - 3:05 pm

  Bought this car used, 1 year old with 13000 miles. Today, it has 146000 miles. Had to do the normal repairs but nothinbg major except a new air conditioing compressor. Also 1 window motor died and had to be replaced. Still looks stylish and fun to drive.

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  Worth keeping - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Warner Dauphinee - February 4 - 12:14 pm

  This is my 6th Cadillac and 2nd DTS. It is the best one yet. All the bugs have been worked out in this model and I am almost afraid to get the new design. I have 46,000 miles on this and it rides like a new one.

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  Four months with the Caddy - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By impatient - February 3 - 4:10 pm

  I was really excited about getting this car. I wanted the Bluetooth capability and ordered the vehicle when I discovered it was included. However, the voice recognition system is quite faulty as it just does not work properly. Cadillac just installed a second nav radio to combat this problem and still it does not respond to voice commands. When a command is given, it responds three times with "Pardon" and then says "Command not recognized." Because of this, I am not able to make telephone calls except when the vehicle is in park. Not at all convenient. Maybe Cadillac will fix this problem. I hope so.

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  2001 Base Catera - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Good Car - February 2 - 10:02 pm

  Runs great, smooth ride. For under $6000 with 58,000 miles, it is a great car for the money. I would have never spent $30,000 for a new one.

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  Blue Chip - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By cz6ndv - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Navigation system, memory positions and misc. presets are difficult to program. Memory positions do not always go to the positions determined by the key fob which is used. Cumulative odometer and trip odometer do not show the same mileage.

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  Love my orphan - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By jeffE - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my CTS. Great handlng, could use more power. The manual 5 speed is great, definetly not my grandpops Caddy. My only regret is that I spent 32K on the car and next year it is going to have a restyled interior, bigger V6, and an optional V8. Kinda kills the resale value of mine. I only wish GM could have sorted some ofthesethings out for the first model year.

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  Best Caddie Made - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By EL Jo - January 31 - 6:57 pm

  I have driven this car across country every year year from 1998 thru 2003. Its is unsurpassed in both comfort and power. At times I have driven faster than the posted speed limits. I have been buying Caddies since 1975. Its not my only or newest car but it remains my favorite.

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  Reliability in question - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike MC - January 31 - 12:03 am

  I loved this vehicle for the first 2000 miles and then it began idling roughly when in gear. Then the passenger window regulator went out with the window in the down position. The dealer has had the car for two weeks without being able to find parts anywhere. Cadillac, it seems, has failed its dealers and customers.