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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  Mostly Happy - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By cadillac man - July 27 - 11:21 am

  Ride comfort is a primary concern to me, at 63" and about 265lbs. Rides very quiet handles well. Reoccurring problems have been the power steering, and 3 of the 4 window regulators.

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  Okay - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Keith - July 25 - 8:33 am

  It is quite a machine, motor wise. The motor drinks oil but other than that it has never left me stranded. I have one that also shakes at over 60, and when you brake it shakes. I have driven it across the U.S a few time, once non-stop except gas for 34 hours. I drive it in Europe right now. It is slow next to the cars over here, but its rare over here. Ive saw one. The one place the dash going from English to metric actually helps.

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  Best Ride Ever! - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By BDC - July 19 - 3:43 pm

  I just recently purchased my 2008 ESV Black and Chrome escalade. I would never thought about purchasing a Cadillac Truck or any vehicle from Cadillac. Once I saw the exterior and the interior I was a more than a little impressed however, once I took a test drive I was sold! This is one of the if not the smoothest drives you will ever have. The way it shift gears and accelerate in speed is so smooth it is sweet! Everyone that sees my truck like it and everyone who test drives it love it. It is really a dream truck! (Just keep the warranty for annoying little repairs).

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  Cheap plastic upholstery - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By don N - July 15 - 9:36 pm

  I have a Cadillac since 1962 and this 2009 srs is the first one that I have had that didnt have real leather upholstery. I never thought about it at the time of purchase but I do now! I paid almost $40,000 for this car and at 15,500 miles the plastic upholstery on the drivers seat is already starting to stretch and fray. Im not a big person at 165 lb. So its not my size thats the problem its the cheap plastic crap they used for the seat covering. Not a bit of leather on these seats at all. What ever you do dont settle for anything less than leather. Remember Cadillac guarantee doesnt cover your upholstery. Gm should be out of business settling for this cheap upholstery material for a cad.

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  Gas tank problem - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By cts - July 12 - 10:42 am

  I Wonder if someone can help me find out if I still have a warranty left on this car? Every time I tried to get gas the pump keeps shutting off as if the car was full, I tried this at different gas stations just to make sure it was not the gas station having a problem as soon as this happened my engine light also came on, I understand that it will cost a lot of money to repair, I think who ever the manufacturer is for the gas tank should make good for this no matter that I have 59,000 miles on the car. Thanks

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  Problems with transfer gearbox - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Brenda - July 9 - 8:34 pm

  The first few months I owned the vehicle I was very, very pleased. But after six months I had to replace the outside mirror and consistently had a burning smell in the vehicle. The car was serviced and repaired under the warranty. When the car reached 88,000 miles the big troubles began. The right and left tie rods, the air conditioner and the transfer gearbox had to all be replaced within a three week period. To me I did not feel the car was old enough for such problems to begin. I have been a loyal GM customer, but I am seriously reconsidering if I will ever purchase another Cadillac.

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  Not Bad for a used CAR - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Romiee - July 9 - 1:34 pm

  Bought the caddie STS 06 v8 with 50,000k. IT was out of warranty though but that didnt bother me. Its a great car and very stylish. I had the CTS 07 2.8l prior and traded that in for a little more luxury. Only paid additional 3,000 for difference. Again great car and very happy. Had small minors repairs like mass air flow sensor replaced and rear brake pads. I do a lot of driving and have already put almost 10,000 miles in 8 months. This car can go on for a very long time. Just maintain the oil changes every 5,000 or 6,000 miles using synthetic motor oil for the STS v8. Highly Recommend putting Super or premium gasoline in this car for better engine protection and performance. :)

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  Review and a question about transmission - 2007 Cadillac XLR
  By Ron Conrad - June 29 - 11:00 am

  I previously owned an SL-320, then picked up an 07 XLR while in Fla. this winter. I love it, think it is drop- dead beautiful. Averaged 27 mpg coming up 95 at 75 mph. Ive noticed a random clunk in the transmission when moving in slow traffic at about 18 mph. Anyone else notice this? Only happens when very slow stop and go situations. This is a more luxurious car than my 97 SL was. Any input about the transmission would help. Ron

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  First Premium Luxury Car - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Greg - June 25 - 6:11 am

  I bought this car used from a local dealer with 16,000 miles on it. I have owned the car for eight months & have had no problems with it. I like the sporty exterior looks & enjoy the manual mode shift feature on the automatic transmission. This car handles well for its size & with the 3.6 L engine is more than adequate in the power range. I added a custom after market stainless steel double twist grill to the front upper & lower bumper & the car looks outstanding.

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  1st caddy - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By chrisptown - June 18 - 7:40 pm

  purch. cert. used. 1st caddy. the only drawback and its a big one is the seats. Watch if youre buying with cooled seats, they are very firm, and the leather trim is quite low quality. the upscale DTS DHS have softer leather.