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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  Exceptional Vehicle - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Mary Lou - April 9 - 6:00 pm

  This is the third Cadillac that I have owned and it is by far the best. I bought this car just prior to retirement as I planned to travel. I am so glad I did, it gives a comfortable ride and drive. I am handicapped and this vehicle lessens the difficulty of the trip. The lack of fuel efficiency is more than compensated for by the ride and superiority of the vehicle. I love this car.

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  RWD CTS is fun! - 2016 Cadillac CTS
  By KK - April 5 - 8:40 pm

  I got the CTS as I didnt want to get an SUV. I wanted something that was fun to drive. I got one with a 2.0T engine as it is plenty powerful for my needs. Mine is a base sedan (RWD only!) with upgraded leather seats, panoramic sun roof and park white color as the options. The car has its quirks, but nothing that you cannot live with. CUE is as good as a touch screen infotainment system gets. Dont believe the negative reviews out there. Use it and find out out yourself. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who wants a fun to drive family sedan that can fit 5 passengers with ease.

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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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  Bug free for 2 years - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By kc - April 5 - 1:36 pm

  This is the first American car Ive purchased in 25 years and I cant believe it hasnt had a single bug or problem with it. This is a first in any car Ive ever owned! Used to Drive Lexus and BMW but ill stick with Cadillac since the car has been dependable and America needs my business.

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  Great car! - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Als car - April 4 - 8:47 am

  Wonderful, dependable, comfortable. A real example of what Detroit can do if necessary. Toyota cant compare to our luxury cars.

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  Standard of the World: 2005 STS V8 1SG - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By BenjaminSimon - April 3 - 2:28 pm

  I may only be 24 but this Caddy is one of the finest cars I have even been in. Sure a 7 series or S class is better, but I cannot afford those. I like how heads turn when I drive by. I have every factory option and I would have it no other way. I live in the south, so AWD is something that I did not want. AWD hurts both performance and gas mileage. Instead I got performance handling package. (It was a either/or option with AWD) The gas mileage is very average, but I did not buy this car to save money on gas. The MSRP was $63K+ and I would suggest buying used. I got mine 10 months old with 15K and saved huge money. Only been in the shop for software updates. Best value on the road for under $65K

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  My Caddy - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By ARIAS - April 3 - 2:27 am

  My high school gift. I bought the car used with 53,000 miles. Was very happy. It had the power and space, but at 72,000 miles coolant was leaking into the engine. It over heated when the engine was at high RPMs. Found out that coolant leaked through a broken head. There was nothing we can do to fix it. I had to buy another motor in order to keep it running. Now the transmission doesnt shift smoothly. Car shakes when braking. Gives out horrible MPG, avg at 12 MPG.

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  3.6 AWD SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By inline6 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This is the best put together vehicle we have ever purchased. No squeaks, rattles, even panel fit and great paint. Interior is a little plastic, but very attractive and comfortable. Bose stereo is outstanding. Car is not a muscle car with the V6, however the Northstar is not worth the additional $5000.00. Only complaint is the FE3 magnetic suspension is not available without the over the top 1SC package.

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  THE BEST SUV SO FAR! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By J.WEBER - April 3 - 2:00 am

  VERY COMFORTRABLE RIDE FOR A BIG SUV . MORE ROOM THAN MY FORMER LEXUS RX300.

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  A Winner - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By SayHey2 - April 1 - 7:10 pm

  Have owned 05 CTSw/ auto & PDX Sport Package for 5 weeks - MSRP 35640 - dealer price 31475. No serious complaints - fun to drive - actually does get the advertised 27mpg on highway - many unsolicited compliments on truly different and bold look - OnStar phone clear as can be, seats very comfortable.