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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  Disapointment - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By rick simon - July 29 - 5:13 pm

  I am really disapointed that a $60,000 car is so poorly built. Whats worse is that Cadillac customer care was rude and told me that there is nothing they are willing to do to fix it. The Bluetooth connection is a joke, the people on the other end say you sound like you are in a cave and are hard to hear. The car has a wind leak in the passenger door. We even traced the location and told the dealer where it was located. Twice and they still cant fix it. The tires are low profile Michelins. One tire has a thump in it which is noticible at low speeds. Guess what, no problem found! I have always been an American auto owner, but this car is screaming "trade me for a Beemer!"

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  Poor quality - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Madbuyer - June 18 - 12:36 pm

  The deflector on my DTS fell off on Route 95 going 75 miles per hour. I thought the front end of the car was falling off. I am still waiting for parts to fix it. My car had 800 miles on it when the problem occurred.

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  Where did all of the Gremlins come from? - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By unhappycateraowner - June 5 - 9:36 pm

  We bought a 99 catera and ever since weve had it, it feels like it is driving us. it always wants to pull to one side or another. We have also been having transmission problems shifting improperly. The rear view mirror also has started smoking on occasion. My wife and I would never buy or recommend this car to anyone.

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  Very Disappointed - 2016 Cadillac CTS
  By Terry Gosser - May 28 - 3:26 am

  Found the new Luxury Cadillac CTS 4 (all wheel drive) disappointing. As usual still rides the same as 25 years ago. Noise from tires, exhaust, engine come right through with the stereo set on low, requiring music to be turned up. Lacks innovation, and technology, poor aero dynamics causing poor mileage. Very heavy for no obvious reason except theyre stuck in 90s. Mercedes comes out with touch shift, GM will have to copy it. Lexus are perfectly quiet on the inside, Cadillac has yet to copy. Just seemed like a poor performance from all angles with little innovation. I will go with Mercedes or Lexus over this manufacturers offerings. Priced at 65,000 and told it rides like a Cadillac. If you want poor quality still from a U.S automaker. Test drive after driving a lexus or Mercedes and you to will be disappointed in a Cadillac just as I was. Probably be another 15 years before I give them another chance with such poor planning and innovation.

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  $54,850 Lemon! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Jay Quigley - April 26 - 12:12 pm

  I have experienced four "Major" problems with my SRX over the last nine months. First I had to replace the rear end. Second, I had to replace the torque converter. Then I had to replace the rear end..AGAIN! Fourth, my SRX has had repeated oil leaks. The front timing cover and engine pan also had to be replaced. I paid $55,000 for a Cadillac SUV and its seats are small, it has no telescoping steering wheel, no digital dash display, no light for the glove compartment, etc. etc. etc. GM should be ashamed of themselves for this $55,000 SRX. My first Cadillac was a 1962 when quality made a difference and I`ve driven only Cadillacs since. I love the style of my SRX but my satisfaction ends there. I just wrote to my dealer last week but do not expect anything positive back, I just vented my frustrations regarding this vehicle to get it out of my system.

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  Overall opinion - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By dippers - April 4 - 5:16 pm

  I am quite disappointed with the overall performance. I find the ride to be very uncomfortable. Also, there is excessive road (tire) noise at highway speeds. The front end feels sloppy going over small (speed) bumps. The front struts were replaced approximately two weeks after purchase. I wasnt aware of the diffence in tire size between front and rear which negates tire rotation. I also average about 14 mpg city driving not 17. This will definitely not be my car choice in the future.

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  Sorry... I lose!!! - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Jac122 - April 2 - 7:32 pm

  This is my second Caddy. I owned a 2003 Seville SLS, what a perfect car. I looked forward to all the "goodies" in the 2006 model....WHAT A MISTAKE! The car is so sluggish it remains in 5th gear most of the time. Press the accelerator and HOPE, then pray it responds usually wont. Bluetooth has no teeth. Frequently does not recognize phone, and does not work while driving. The voice recognition does not recognize ANYONE! Its gas mileage is only about 15 mpg. GM knows of the sluggishness and says "it’s up to specs" “Your loss buddy.” Just give me my 2003 SLS and well call it even. If you are considering a 06 STS V6 AWD, beware and test drive extensively first.

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  Looks great, reliability nonexistent - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Linda - March 17 - 9:50 am

  The STS is beautiful to look at, comfortable to drive, and you couldnt ask for more speed. However, the handling leaves a lot to be desired - Ive driven trucks that corner better. But, the worst feature of the car is its absolute lack of reliability. The car is in for service several times each year. Some items have been repaired multiple times. The problems are both mechanical and electrical.

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  Do Not Buy, Definitely Dont Lease - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By sawuscoming - March 14 - 10:29 am

  Obviously, most positive reviews are looks and fun. It does look good, but is only fun in optimal driving conditions. If sliding (from a stop at slow acceleration) on slightly wet pavement is is fun, its fun. Ive driven in Illinois winters for sixteen years this is the only car Ive ever slid off the road in. Interior looks good for awhile, but black finish on control buttons has chipped off. Interior lights dim off and on, and the cruise control has been disengaging--it only has 18,000 miles on the car. To this date, it has had three recalls. Dont waste money on a tired name when there are car quality companies producing luxury vehicles built with the driver in mind.

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  2006 DTS Luxury III - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Ricky Magers - February 3 - 2:08 am

  This behemoth gives the the feeling the passengers must have had on the Titanic as it floated aimlessly on the water highway prior to colliding with an iceberg. What is the problem with GM? They cannot get it right. The looks are ok, but all the accessories are screwed up. Upon exit the tilt wheel will not retreat and tilt upward fully, and when you unlock the doors it returns to driving position, so much for memory. This thing sucks gas like a Cadillac dealer trying to get your money. Wish I had bought the Lexus or Mercedes-Benz. Cadillacs are notorious for poor resale values and now I am stuck with the gas guzzling great white behemoth from GM. Oh, I forgot to mention that the fuel door is accessible to anyone.