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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  The Cadillac is the Car to have! - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By Mike - January 13 - 5:54 pm

  This car is the top of the line luxury with all of the best stuff in it. It is nicer than both my parents new cars! The only thing that is bad is that GM cheaped out on sum parts of the car. The paint is chipping away a little(it has been since 1995) and the chrome is pitted. Otherwise the car is amazing. The best car I have ever driven in!

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  You wont be disappointed - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Tony M - January 13 - 10:25 am

  This is my wifes car. When I drive it my head scrapes the headliner (Im 60") so maybe not a great car for a tall person. Then again it has a sunroof and that robs some headroom. This car is a blast to drive. It corners like its on rails and always has plenty of power on tap. Still turns heads too. Despite the head room thing it is otherwise comfortable for road trips. Reliability has been top notch and good fuel economy. If you are looking for a true drivers car without having to shell out big bucks, look no further.

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  Finally, Believer in American - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By browser - January 11 - 9:27 pm

  I picked up my 2007 STS with 5K miles about 3 weeks ago. After owning a Lexus, Infiniti, Mercedes and BMW, I think the STS presented the most value for the car. This was my first American car in over 20 years. What an improvement in design and quality!! I love the technolgy and comfort. Finally nice job

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  worst car ever and service - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By oscar - January 9 - 10:35 pm

  worst car ever, Iv had my car for 2 years.12 times back in dealer for all kinds of electrical problems, transmission, drive train, suspension was out at 30000 miles and dealership manager said that everything is normal, same was with transmission at 5K miles car was jerking ,the gear change was wery rough, and again I was told by the service manager ,everything is normal, it took 6 trips to the dealer and and 40K miles later to make the dealer look at the problem again and finally figure it out.My advice for potential cadilac DTS buyer: If you are planning to buy the car for driving ,not sitting in a garage, please buy different car , Youll save yourself a lot of nerves,honestly!!!!

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  Great truck - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Aleks - January 8 - 9:19 am

  Im an automotive plastics engineer. I also own a bike and race car. I am very critical of quality and performance in anything I own or drive. I also own an 06 Toyota 4 runner. Im happy to say that I am very impressed with the quality and performance of this truck. The seats are very comfortable, the glass roof (s) are very large with power shades on both, the transmission smooth, great handling, good power, good brakes, good sound system, nice extra features like little gloveboxes in doors, etc.. The only somewhat negatives: gas mileage, a couple of panels not so tight on the gap tolerances, odd slight valvetrain noise...and thats about it. Its a great vehicle. V8 a must too.

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  Eldoraldo - 1999 Cadillac Eldorado
  By dale - January 7 - 7:08 pm

  It is the best car I ever owned. You have a hot rod and a classy car combined. You know how you go down the interstate and a big truck passes you from the other way and it shakes your car. Well this baby cuts thru it like a knife. It will keep up with or blow away just about anything on the road. For looks it is the best looking Caddy ever made. It was a big mistake to stop making the Eldoraldo. I get nothing but compliments everywhere I go. I will never get rid of my baby

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  2005 Cadillac STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By JOE REDDEN - January 7 - 5:36 am

  My 05 Cadillac STS is a pleasure to drive. Its exterior styling is unique, and looks great. The fit and finish of both the exterior and interior is fine. The interior noise level is almost nonexistant. This is a great truck in all respects.

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  Worst Car I Ever Owned - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Dale Allen - January 6 - 9:44 pm

  Never have I owned such a terrible car! I had endless electrical and mechanical problems. There was something constantly wrong. GM should be ashamed for making such a piece of junk. I havent bought another GM product since this experience,nor will I ever again buy one. Anyone who buys this vehicle is asking for BIG HEADACHES and in all probability LOTS OF REPAIR BILLS!

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  Ideal Truck for Me - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By pfromd - January 6 - 6:55 pm

  Love my 08 truck. It turns heads even in Texas where trucks are dime a dozen. Bought it used with 60k, driven 12k in 6 months, no complaints. Pull a boat, take it off the pavement, rinse it off, go to dinner and have it valeted in front row next to all the "me too" luxury cars. Enjoy!

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  Love my 2005 STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Rob & Renee in WA - January 6 - 4:37 pm

  We traded a 2006 Subaru Outback in on this car. We wanted something larger and better looking and boy did we get it! Interior is roomy and seats (front and back) are extremely comfortable. Tons of leg room, even in the back seat. We like the seperate climate controls, power sunroof, and the automatic driver settings. This car will adjust the seat and mirror settings for two drivers. It is really neat getting into the car after my husband has used it, and the seats and mirrors are set exactly where I like them. Trunk is a bit small & the glove box is a joke. Gorgeous exterior and extreme pick up. Very fast and fun to drive. This is not your grandpas car!