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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  MrsD - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Donna Williams - January 28 - 10:00 am

  Love it, love it, love it!

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  Belongs in Junk Yard - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By dt13 - January 24 - 9:38 pm

  I purchased this car with 60,000 miles and had only 65,000 when I got rid of it. Nearly over 3,000 dollars was spent in repairs in less than a year. They included: door latch ($300), all 4 tie rods, mass air flow sensor, engine crank sensor, valve cover and gaskets, and coolant shut off switch. SRS, and rear shocks were bad too. Everything had too be fixed by the dealer, no ASE mechanic could service it, but had it towed from their shop to the dealer. The car came with a warranty, however, many parts were not covered, and there was a 250$ deductible for whatever was repaired. I knew another lady who had one and had even more trouble. Junk! Please do not buy.

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  Lovin the best Caddy ever made - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Planemanx15 - January 23 - 10:25 pm

  Im a college student who bought my 96 Eldo, shale with a black rag top, in Jan 07 to travel 50 miles back and forth to school. Since then i have put a cold air intake, dual Flowmaster exhaust, tint, and changed all the speakers to pioneers, dice too:) Even stock this car turned heads but now is incredable. I have overheated and had to pull over (thought I seized the engine) only to find out it was the a\c compressor, other then that, there have never been any major problems. I show the car every week at the local car show and get great comments all the time. It seems Cadillac may be coming out with a CTS coupe, which looks pretty close to the Eldo, maybe there gonna bring back this style

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  Fine Performing SUV - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Gregg - January 22 - 6:47 pm

  My experience with this SUV has been nothing but satisfaction. I can see why its called a crossover type. It can please on all levels. It feels and drive like a fine car and can accelerate quickly and smoothly as a sport car. Spacious inside without looking big and gaudy on the outside. The body design is sporty looking and yet refined. I did not expect to even consider this vehicle because it was in its second year of production but the test drive simply left the competition behind. Not only is quality built under the hood but also is pleasure and comfort. We took a 1400 roundtrip and driving fatique was never a factor!

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  CTS beats 535 hands down - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Doug - January 21 - 6:00 pm

  I drove BMW, Lexus Acura and Lincoln MKZ. After owning this car for 4 months it has proven that it exceeds the others in every aspect. Fit and finish in and out is superb plus it gets 30MPG on the road on regular gas. I just need more reasons to open the garage door and go for a ride. Thanks Cadillac for building the best!

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  Mechanics job security - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By Unhappy owner - January 21 - 2:32 pm

  I bought this low mileage Catera for my son because it appeared to be in excellent condition and it appeared well cared for. It was probably low mileage because it likely was in the shop all the time like I have experienced! I thought this platform was supposed to have been a well engineered Opel model brought to the U.S. to compete with the best sports sedans of the world? In the 1st 7 months, I spent over one third of the cost of the entire car on repairs! The car has nice features and is a good driving car, but I would be afraid to take it out of town in cold weather out of fear of being stranded!! I had hope to find my son a reliable car to take to college...I was very wrong!

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  Very Reliable! - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Trey - January 21 - 1:28 am

  Enjoy driving this car. The engine uses NO oil & is changed per the oil life monitor. It is Black Raven with option package 1SB. AC/heater extremely efficient. Very good steering & braking.

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  CTS very happy with purchase - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Kristen Carr - January 18 - 9:35 pm

  No complaints so far. We cant stand driving our SUV, "kid school dropoff mobile", anymore. Get ready for the 20 question a day from onlooker routine. Yes its American. No it has good quality. Nothing has broken. Gas mileage was as advertised. Steering is not loose. Brakes are excellent. etc.. Trust me this goes on at any gas station, car wash, or valet restaurant.

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  Went American - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Dub_NOVA - January 17 - 12:10 pm

  Owned Acura, Honda, Infiniti for years, Finally considered American. So far right move, great value. Nice having a car that gets compared to far more expensive models above its class. My car, bought in Dec, 08 CTS AWD, DI, Black Cherry, loaded. Handling nice, ride exceptional, quite, except for when you push it. Sound coming out of the tail pipes makes you say bring it on. This thing looks mean coming at you. All the tech works nicely. My only drawback is gas and break pedal could us a bit more space between. Went to grocery store the other day some guy walked into the shopping cart holder looking at the CTS as I drove up. GM finally got it right.

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  Mustang Remover - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Gmiddler - January 15 - 5:35 pm

  I love the power in this machine. This Caddy reminds me of the 1958 Oldsmobile, you can not hold it back it just wants to go. I am 69 years old and love the ride and the handling of it. I hope it last me the rest of my life.