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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  Over rated over priced - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By W J TX - October 7 - 3:21 pm

  This car looks great however driving it I notice poor rear visibility for backing and parking. The powerful engine is a bit too much for a FWD car, full throttle at 30 mph is a bit risky since the car darts in one direction or the other depending on the road. Replaced both hubs, no help. The fuel consumption is high in city driving acceptable on the open road though. This engine is an oil hog about a qt. every 1000 miles which GM says is normal for the Northstar, explains the 7.5 qt. crankcase. Transmission oil life sensor does not work. Plastic in and out is poor quality, dash pad warping, fender liners crack just from stones on the road. Had a rented 2007 for a month was no better.

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  3rd Time Escalade Owner - 2016 Cadillac Escalade
  By April - September 1 - 12:38 pm

  This is our third Escalade to own. I couldnt be more disappointed in the quality of the car this time. They really cut corners in the interior and it shows from parts coming unglued to the interior leather peeling. On the outside of the car the Crome trim on the door popped off and all four doors trim work between the doors had to be replaced. My car had less than 8k miles and they replaced the transmission. For a vehicle costing almost 100k very disappointed Cadillac. This will be our last.

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  Bad seats - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By Jack Kreska - August 27 - 2:34 pm

  Fake leather dash and door panels, too much plastic, uncomfortable seats. The optional "bench" seats have no lateral support, the seat is too short and does not support my legs, and I cannot find a comfortable position. The passenger seat is similar. Our previous DeVille (2002) had much better seats than this one. The steering wheel is heated but the leather cover does not extend to the 10 and 2 oclock driving areas. Also, the instruments and console are difficult to read while wearing sun glasses (and we really need them in Texas). The luxury options are great, but overall, were really disappointed with what theyve done to this car.

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  Not that good - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Paul - June 29 - 8:54 am

  I bought this car because it was American. At first I thought it looked cool, but after 3 months, the styling looks outdated and ugly. The engine is weak and could use some hints from BMW. The interior function is not impressive for the misplacing of buttons. I was going to look at the new CTS but it looks like a 70 year old would be driving it. I am ready to trade it in for a BMW 335, something that will acually make me feel under 60 years old.

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  Absolutely Horrible - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By THEKID - May 25 - 1:29 am

  I have had this car for under a year, and I have never had a car need to go to service more in my life. I have had the brakes serviced 7 times already. It seems like one thing after another goes wrong, and for what you pay, I am horrified with the amount of time I have to deal getting the car serviced. I got it for the children, but what a mistake. I wish I had my 5 series back. Please do not get this vechicle it is the worst waste of money! The inside and exterior look is the only positive about this, but I want to be able to drive a car not just look at it in the driveway. I hope this helps you all!

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  Denali is a better buy - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Tony - May 20 - 4:06 pm

  I love the interior and exterior. The transmission is jumpy/bangs at "traffic/lower speeds" (stop/go @ 10mph and less. Ive averaged about 11.5 mpg and have about 5500 miles on the vehicle so far. The wind noise on the drivers side is very pronounced. I dont buy the excuse that its the mirrors as its not 1/2 as loud on the passengers side. Overall I wish I had stuck with a new Denali XL or gone with the Benz GL.

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  Huge Mistake - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By Michele - May 6 - 9:50 am

  My husband wanted this car and we traded in our Lexus GX for it. I should have know something when they rushed to take our Lexus. It looks great on the outside, causing accidents when I drive from people looking so hard. Cheaply made bumper (bumped while parked by a car slowing coming out park) and broke clips and bumper. Seat belts are flimsy (my kids as well as myself struggle to buckle in). We are currently trading it in and it has lost so much value the last year (over 10 thousand). Factory Remote start works when it feels like it. I have to push button several times unless I am right next to it. Who needs it then. Dont listen when they tell you that this car can take regular.

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  The Cadillac - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By roger - April 25 - 3:10 pm

  Dealership did not know about the slap stick shifter. I worked in Chicago for 4 months commuting and the car got great mileage. I live 90 miles from Chicago. The mileage in the city was terrible. I was getting 14.0 to 15.3! I thought I was getting a wood grain steering wheel. I guess it was not in the 1sb package. V6 never again. The transmission stays in the current gear when you stomp the gas. GM blew that. Turning radius is not tight enough. That button you hold for 7 second is OK but the transmisson is better when you dont use the computers.

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  Buyer Regrets.. Cadillac should only be leased.. - 2012 Cadillac CTS
  By Rita Richardson - April 5 - 8:38 pm

  We bought our son a cadillac there 10 years ago.. We took really good care of it with regular oil changes etc It only had 73,000. When we got it already had 13,000 so he really only drove it 60,000 and in June the engine quit. We took it to Banks and they said it would be like $7000 or more to fix it and it wasnt even valued at $7000. I really felt bad as there was absolutely nothing wrong with this car as far a rust or dents or scratches and the interior was in really great condition. I cant believe that Cadillac doesnt make a car that cant go more than 73,000. I have had an oldsmobile that went to 218,000, a blazer that went to 140,000 and I still have a Hyundai that has 115,000. These are all just regular cars, I really thought if we got a Cadillac..It was built to last. but I guess I was wrong. Last April 2016.. We bought a 2016 truck and 2012 Cadillac in the same week. Paid cash. We paid $21,000 for the Cadillac and I just took it to a dealer who now says that it is only worth $13,000. wow an $8000 loss on a car we have had a year and a half. It had 47,000 when we got it and it now has 57,000. It is in the garage most of the time now as I am afraid to use it to have happen to it what happened to the 2007. We had a Cadillac previous to these to that the head gasket went on as well. I guess I should have done more research on these cars and looked at reviews.. I really regret buying this car... These cars only meant to be leased I guess so you only have them for 2 years and get rid of them. I will be posting my reviews of these cars on all sites that I can. It is definately Buyer Beware. I wont EVER buy another Cadillac..nor will I tell anyone else to do so. Thank you for reading this Rita Richardson

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  Fails to Meet Expecations - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Former Caddy Man - March 17 - 11:33 pm

  This car has lots of promise, but fails to deliver. The quality of the car itself as well as the dealer service has been very poor in my experience. I have experienced a number of breakdowns requiring tows. It has had repeated problems and the dealer has not been able to resolve them. This should not occur with a car like this. The transmission is rough and uncertain at low speeds and the electronics either dont work as billed or dont work as designed.