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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  great car - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Mac - January 12 - 2:20 am

  Very reliable and comfortable

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  Not happy with 2015 CTS - 2015 Cadillac CTS
  By Donald Konicoff - January 8 - 4:04 pm

  I traded a 2008 CTS with a 6 cylinder engine for a 2015 CTS with the 2.0 turbo. I liked the 2008 but the front seats were very uncomfortable. The new one with the turbo I dont like. It is noisy and jerks a lot when the turbo comes in. Also the CUE system is horrible. It is not at all intuitive and takes a while to get used to. Next car will be a Hyundai Genesis.

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  2009 Cadillac CTS AWD 3.6DI - all options - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By LV - January 7 - 11:12 pm

  I have owned a 2003 Toyota Corolla S (bought new until 22k when totaled), 1997 Nissan Maxima Se (used 94k, sold at 170k), 2005 Scion tc (new and sold at 177k) those three vehicles were maintain and had little to no major repairs. I sold the Scion tc and purchased a used 2009 Cadillac CTS with all factory options at 75k miles. The vehicle seemed well maintained inside, out, and mechanically. I had purchased it from a reputable BMW dealership for $18k. Here are the things that have gone wrong with the car. 1. Right Rear Knuckle bushing needs replacing (audible knocking sound over all bumps) *warranty 2. Front right wheel bearing needed to be replaced. *warranty 3. Rear left wheel bearing needed to be replaced. *out of warranty $528.00 4. ECM needed replacement * out of warranty $1100 5. Driveshaft needed replacement (1st time) *1200 6. Timing chains needed to be replaced around 108k *warranty under GM 120k warranty specifically for this problem otherwise a $2300 cost 7. Door handle sensor needed to be replaced on passenger door *$575 8. Auxillary water pump needed replacement $250. 9. Purge Valve needed replacement $50 part did it myself very easy to replace 10. Driveshaft failed for 2nd time, needed replacement $1200. 11. Drains for water had seeped into trunk compartment wetting all the electronics near battery. Dealership couldnt find out what the issue is, i figured it out through a forum where other CTS owners have had similar issues. *free since fixed on my own. 12. Driveshaft failed for 3rd time, needed replacement (covered under parts warranty) 13. Driverside catalytic converter failed needed replacement *$1250 14. CD/DVD player stopped working *decided not to fix it. otherwise $750. 15. Bluetooth for phone works intermittently, doesnt always pick up calls and does always hang them up. *just dealing with it 16. power lumbar seat failed and no longer works * just dealing with it otherwise $513 to fix 17. Front left wheel bearing. $528. This car was a HUGE disappointment, being it was my first luxury vehicle. Granted I bought it with 75k, i made sure full tune up was performed along with all the fluids changed (transmission, differential, transfer case, coolant) when i first purchased the vehicle. Things have failed on this car that do not fail on reliable manufactures. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM VEHICLE EVER AGAIN. ESPECIALLY A CADILLAC. Next vehicle will be a Lexus, or even hate to say the new Genesis or Equus look good and have good reliability ratings. Too bad I really wanted to support an American brand. My car was service at Englewood Cadillac in NJ and Brogan Cadillac in Totowa, NJ. They know me by first name at both places because my car has been in there so much, along with other customers I tend to see every now and again. Lots of problems, everyone i know with a used Cadillac has a horrible experience with them. SO DISSATISFIED WITH THIS CAR, PLEASE DO NOT BUY ONE.

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  2003 Deville -- Land Yacht - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Stacey Kazacos - January 5 - 4:56 pm

  I bought the Deville with about 35K miles, 7 years ago. The car is best on a long trip when comfort and smooth highway handling count the most. My biggest problems have been with faulty sensors -- just about all of them to include: oil pressure, engine temp, airbag, steering, tire pressure etc. The actual components were NOT at fault. In every case it was the sensor. The other problem I had (which seems to be common among owners) is the power window motor failing. The electronic switches and displays are chintzy. Anyway, the motor is great. Uses about 1 quart per 1,600 miles. All that said, it is a fun car to drive on a trip. It depreciated quickly -- so I would shy away from buying a new one in the future.

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  2015 Cadillac SRX - A Level Below Other Luxury Car - 2015 Cadillac SRX
  By Robert - January 5 - 4:30 pm

  I really like the SRX but it is definitively a level below other luxury car brands (i.e. Lexus, BMW, Acura, etc.), and I feel the same way about the dealership quality. I negotiated a good deal on this car, and paid significantly less than I would have if I bought another Acura MDX (my previous car). So, based on the price, I have been satisfied so far.

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  LADY RICKI - 2010 Cadillac STS
  By Ted - January 2 - 7:15 pm

  The car needs 2 new tires 2 have 33,300 mi. & 2 have 19,000 two cause some road noise because of having flat spots caused from setting on dealer lot too long. The car is a 2010 purchased new in Aug. 2011 Dealer replaced two and should have replaced all 4 at the same time only fixed half the problem. Otherwise the car is in perfect condition was serviced at dealership and( I HAVE EVERY SERVICE BILL IN GLOVE BOX)

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  I want my Lincoln back! - 2015 Cadillac XTS
  By John R. Clausen - December 26 - 1:01 pm

  Probably my last car due to my age. I have owned many cars but not a caddy until now,, a nd I must say Im a little disappointed. The infotainment system cant hold a candle to my past Lincoln. The Lincoln was also more roomy up front and had a better standard engine. Another disappointment for me was the dash lighting. At night it is awesome but during the daylight it darkens out and becomes almost a blank. Is it not necessary to view your instrument panel during the day also? Car handling is great and the look of the car is great, but Ipaid for a lot of extras that dont measure up! Also the forward crash monitor and its notifier, that is the red lights that appear and the alarm dont respond until you are too close to the car ahead of to avoid an accident. I could go on but as I said when I started this, I wish I had my Lincoln back!

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  Greatest caddy I bought thus far - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Kamilla Harris - December 22 - 11:24 pm

  I just bought my car a month ago and I love it I bought it used and it has 140k and its been a awesome car I l9be caddys

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  Love my Allante - 1992 Cadillac Allante
  By Bill Leyton - December 22 - 8:00 am

  You will have to spend $2,000.00 on the ABS braking system by Bosch if it goes out. The top is not fully electric which is crazy-a 57 Eldorado had a fully electric top! That said, this is the best driving and handling car I ever had. I have driven Porsche, Corvette,Bentley-you name it and this one beats them all. Handles like a champ and accelerates quickly. My 25 year old Caddy can still compare favorably with the new 600 horsepower beasts on the road. This is my second Allante as I donated my first one when even the dealer couldnt fix the ABS.

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  Its a Cadillac. - 1990 Cadillac Eldorado
  By J.D - December 22 - 5:56 am

  Ive always loved the small boxie style Cadillac had in the early 90s. Both the 4.5 and 4.9 were the best engines Cadillac Ever built. They were built with what Cadillac stands For Luxury and Dependability.