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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  Costly repairs! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By mr.flowers - March 17 - 9:10 pm

  I puchased my cts just feb. 17, 2010 from a pretty reliable sounding private dealership. Exactly 1 week later the engine light came on. I bought the car with a warranty so the diagnoses was it need a THERMOSTAT and a WATER (something). $748. That night the light came back on. took it back, left, light came back on. This time the sensors need to be reset. same thing happened. after 4 times with this back and fourth in 2 weeks, Im next gonna try a back yard mechanic since the dealership cant fix it! Go figure

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  Oil burners - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Paul Zobel - March 16 - 8:01 pm

  After purchasing our third Cad I am just as disappointed in the area of engine reliability that it makes me sick. The engine is now burning oil to the tune of a quart every 100 miles or so. I have found other owners who have the same complaint and it looks like I will have to take it in for an overhaul. It only has 45,000 miles on it and yet it uses this much oil. There is no leakage nor smoking that I can see. I dont think we will ever buy another Cadillac.

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  Like it, but..........Yeah we like it ! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Mini Fins Fan - March 3 - 12:10 pm

  The fit and finish are great, with one exception. The drivers outside mirror is loose. Otherwise everthing is fine. Checked out Lexus RX and BMW X5. Bang for your buck has to go to Cadillac. This car is great, ride is a little stiff, but it pays off whenever you want to enjoy some spirited driving. Test drove the 3.0 and to be honest, it was verrrry poky. Waited and test drove the 2.8 turbo. What a difference. Like night and day. Unfortunately, it uses only premium fuel. I thought that maybe I could sneak in some regular now and again, but that is not the (recommended at least) case. The interior is fantastic and the Cadillac exterior design is unmistakably attention grabbing.

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  love hate relationship - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By harry - March 2 - 4:44 pm

  I loved this car but it gave me alot of trouble. This was my first car bought for 2500 with 93000 miles. I went over a year with radiator fan, winshield wipers, and heat in Minnesota. One day it would run like a dream the next it would barely get to 70. I really didnt want to get rid of it but needed something more reliable to go to college with. List of things that didnt work: front struts, ac, heater core, heater fan, interior lights and gauges flicker, went through three batteries one started on fire, tranny slipped, 6 fuel injectors went out, remote trunk release, radiator fan so i couldnt idle more then 3 min, windshield wiper arm broke, rear window defroster, very uneven tire wear.

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  Very Fun to Drive - 1993 Cadillac Seville
  By beringsea56 - February 19 - 3:15 am

  The northstar engine has plenty of power to pass cars on the freeway or just when getting around town My down side has been the 3rd gear selonoid went out and the waterpump had to be replaced other than that Id buy one again my car is black on black paint

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  My Favorite Thing - 1993 Cadillac Allante
  By John Edwards - February 17 - 2:42 pm

  It is like a magic carpet ride. Performance is more than adequate and you will get many positive comments about its styling. With the current depressed pricing for this car, it is an excellent value for an occasionally used second or third car.

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  Better Mileage Than Advertised - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Tess - February 12 - 8:46 pm

  I consistently get 18-20 mpg :) Wish newer Cadillacs were as comfy as the older models. Had a 2002 and from the handle grip above the passenger seat, to the arm rests for front passengers, to the soft comfortable seats - it was superior to the 2007. 2007 should have had an Mp3/Ipod connection as standard equipment. The 22 inch tires do not provide as good of a ride, though they do look nice. A little better shock/suspension system would an help offset that.

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  2010 Escalade - "Long in the Tooth" - 2010 Cadillac Escalade
  By htsmd - February 12 - 4:07 pm

  My 3rd Esc AWD - 03, 08, 10. Selling features on this one were Magnetic ride control, active fuel mgmt (4/8 cyl), front side airbags standard. RE the ride control - only thing I notice is slightly faster transmission of road variation. It certainly a more "euro" feel, frankly out of place in such an SUV as this. Active fuel mgmt is a total joke - I got better mileage with my 08 (but, only 500 miles so far in this one). And guess what? No more rain sensing wipers and no more heated washer fluid (Im from Wyoming - needed that hot washer fluid!). Theres more, but the crowning blow came when transferring OnStar - you cant keep your old number!!

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  Still Proving Itself to Me - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Nate1431 - February 10 - 4:57 pm

  I ordered my feel w/ navigation in October 2009 and just received the SRX 3 weeks ago. I traded a 2006 Lexus RX 330 for this vehicle the styling inside and out is what sold me as I was sick of seeing the RX everywhere I went in my town. Acceleration is definitely lacking, but I was aware of that after my test drive, but other performance made up for it. I am in the midwest and we have had a ton of snow and ice the last few weeks and the SRX has handled it much better than RX 330 did. I was concerned about quality going from a Lexus to GM my navigation touch screen already has a crack in it. I also wish I would have gone with 20" tires.

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  Terrible In Snow - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Art Crump - February 10 - 8:41 am

  Initial driving and ride were very impressive. Did a little research prior to buying, and snow driving was rated?? Just below the Volvo? they must have been talking about the AWD, My RWD makes me want to take it back. Recent snow storms have immobilized the vehicle.