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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  Love the new STS - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Dominic - October 9 - 1:09 pm

  I just traded in my 2003 v-8 FWD SLS for a new 2008 v-6 STS RWD. Having driven the 03 for 4 years and the 08 for only a few weeks short weeks, I can say that the 08 is by far a better car. That is not to say anything bad about the 03, just that Cadillac got it right with this one. RWD, IMHO, is a much better way to design and build this class of car. I got the car pretty much loaded up. Sticker was ~$54K. The larger 18" wheels included in the 1SC Luxury Performance package, along with the HD brakes really make this a driving machine.

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  infinityq45 - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By april polk - October 9 - 10:00 am

  reliable performance. No major unforeseen repairs. Excelent repair service.

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  I like this car - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Vsizemore - October 9 - 5:05 am

  I purchased my CTS certified used. I was looking at several new vehicles, including both the 3 and 5 series BMWs, Audi. I never even thought of considering a Cadillac until I saw one at a dealership when I was looking at another vehicle. I fell in love with the design. I drove it and fell in love with it. I waited a few months to review it so I could really experience the vehicle. I still love it. It is unbelievably comfortable, has a smooth ride, and tons of features. I buy new cars about every 2 years. I will probably keep this one longer, and Ill definitely consider another CTS when the time comes, which I havent done with a vehicle for a long time.

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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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  Super Road Experience (SRX) - 2016 Cadillac SRX
  By EB - October 7 - 12:22 pm

  Last year available. AWD hard to locate vehicle, because of incentives cleared inventory.

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  Cady STS - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By ET - October 6 - 2:53 pm

  Great car until it hits 100,000 miles. Suspension is getting mushy and various loose parts and ticks. Great car design and wonderfull utility

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  DONT BUY THIS CAR! - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Maze - October 5 - 5:24 pm

  When I got this car, it had 144,000 miles on it. A few hundred miles later, I had to replace the alternator. Not long after that, I had to replace my alternator again! The car had sever electrical problems. It also had problems with the transmission. In fact, my transmission went bad while I was driving the car this caused the wheels to lock up and the brakes to become unresponsive. To make the long story short, the vehicle could not be controlled, and I ran into a tree. I spent 2 days in the hospital because of this PIECE of CRAP! I suggest that you not even think about buy this CAR! It would be a painful mistake.

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  07 Escalade - great SUV - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Nick Slade - October 5 - 1:50 am

  My only complaint was the noise from towing a trailer. The sound of the hitch rattling was transmited into the cab. The ride in the cabin is so quiet and refined. The sound of the trailer was very appparent.

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  My First Cadillac - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By TexasPhotographer - October 3 - 10:27 pm

  I like this car. However, the manual reads like it was written in a language other than English. Instead of providing information, the manual refers you to two other pages to get the information. The navigation system is nice, but difficult to learn and again the manual is little to no help. The seats are comfortable and I like the sporty ride. The glove compartment is way too small. I do not like the fact that when opening the trunk, it does not open fully. As a photographer I have arms full of equipment. I would have liked the trunk to open so I could put the equipment in the trunk instead of on the ground so I can manually open the trunk. Not a convenient feature.

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  Still love it - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By gregggg - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I had the truck less than a week and realized it was leaking oil. Took it back and it was repaired. Dealing with the dealership about the little bugs with a new car was a nitemare but the truck is incredible. Fast, smooth great sound system. I even had the chance to race an acura with it and won... not off the line but after a few seconds I cought up and passes them. Its big though... cant be affraid of driving if you are buying this truck