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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  REAL success - 2011 Cadillac CTS
  By 3tennis - December 27 - 6:38 pm

  Our Cadillac CTS recently withstood a big buck collision. Airbags deployed, OnStar called my wife (who was alone at the time) to check her status. Within minutes, police, ambulance, animal control, and a tow truck was there. She was 100% FINE...thank goodness. The CTS w/ all-wheel drive is SAFE, handles great in all four seasons, handles well, and (frankly) is a conversation piece among friends. Love it.

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  2011 CTS Premium AWD is an excellent ride - 2011 Cadillac CTS
  By js2011 - December 24 - 11:51 am

  I purchased the 2011 CTS Premium AWD in October 2011 in lieu of the 2011 BMW 535xi. Although the Edmunds reviews are rather critical of the CTS, I found the ride extremely comfortable and the handling very nimble for normal driving (I dont take curves at 80 mph). The fit and finish in this car is exceptional. The top of the line Premium AWD has every conceivable option that a car enthusiast could want. My opinion of Cadillac has certainly changed for the better. With 306 horsepower, the car does not lack for acceleration.

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  Outstanding! - 2010 Cadillac DTS
  By idaspaceman - December 22 - 10:25 pm

  I test drove the Lincoln MKS, Buick Lacrosse, Lucerne, and the Lexus E350. Hands down the DTS was a superior engine and ride., and luxury items to either be on par or superior. Everyone will have pros and cons...but at the end of the day it was an easy decision for me. I know there will be some who will say its a Grandpa vehicle...call me old, but there is nothing like the ride and luxury of a Caddy.

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  2000 Cadillac DTS White Diamond 300Hp - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By maxrayruss - December 7 - 8:48 pm

  I purchased this beauty on ebay with 100,000 miles and the car was a super clean Sarasota, Fla car. It has all options and is an eye catcher. I first had to replace the tork converter sensor at 128,000 miles $980 and at 168,000 getting an occasional tork sensor code again but the light goes out and mileage is great. Replaced the left front wheel hub at 105,000 miles and the right is near ready to be replaced. The steering wheel programing is in need of fixing because the wheel dont move up on exit but down. The CD player rejects and gives an alarm code. The dash cover rolled up on the edges which is common on those models but was simple to repair with adhesive and replace. Love the car

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  A Great Car - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:26 am

  I have had this car 7 years, purchased new. I have had very few problems, none major. The only annoying problem is that the car has always vibrated at about 70mph. No one has been able to discover why it does this. Other than that, no complains. We have driven this car on several vacations with 700 800 miles per day. No sweat. Gas mileage is very close to EPA rating both in town and on the highway, usually 18-20 city and 24-26 highway (EPA is 18/27). The 4 valve per cylinder engine lacks good low end torque as does every such engine like this that I have driven. But, if you want to go, hang on. Comfortable, classy, reliable. What else could you want?

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  The Best Of The Best - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:20 am

  This car has major heat and comfort and ride is A-1. Everything about this car is great.

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  cadillac riding, ac blowing, doing 2 mph - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:10 am

  This is day 1 of the rolling living room. This car is so comfortable I almost fell asleep behind the wheel.

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  Best Car Ever - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:05 am

  Ive always liked caddys, and this one is no exception. Cant believe how nice it still is and love the 275 hp engine. Everybody talks about how pretty it is. I like the vinyl top a lot also. Its the best car Ive ever owned and definitely the most luxurious. I even like it better than my infiniti. In my opinion I bought the car from a car lot ran by crooks, they did not disclose things about the car I should have known before purchasing, and had to have a couple parts replaced. Still have a few more to go but at the end of the day I still really like this car more than any other. The best I test drove. My dream is to own a house and a dts platinum off the show room floor.

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  Almost Perfect - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I wanted a small SUV that got decent gas mileage but didnt want to go with a rear wheel drive model for the few days a year that it actally snows in Washington, DC. That narrowed my search down to the SRX and the Lexus. I bought the SRX luxury edition without any extra bells and whistles. I love the car. It rides like its on rails and has all of the features that I need. Even though its more sport than utility, I can still fit quite a bit of stuff in it. Given that the car costs +/- $5K less than any other car in its class, I think its a great bargain.

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  2000 Caddy Eldo ETC - 2000 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Glakken13 - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Simply put it is the finest car I have ever driven or owned.