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:

• 

  CTS lives at the shop! - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Zldjan - March 27 - 4:21 pm

  This car has been nothing but problems from the day I received it. It has had problems with its electrical system, transmission, clutch, alignment, differential, driveshaft, tires, interior trim, you name it. I have had to make multiple trips to the dealer to get the same problem fixed. Me and the rental guy at Enterprise car rental are now on a first name basis At this point I have gotten GM customer service involved and I am hoping they come through and do the right thing. This is my first GM and so far I’m not so impressed with the quality, but the car is sexy and it has helped me meet some wonderful people in the towing and car rental industries.

• 

  STS Power! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Anthony Cronin - March 26 - 7:59 pm

  I have had this car for almost a year now. Every option has come into play by now and the ride is comfortable and very aggressive. The Tiptronic transmission isnt very good at all though. It has no control nor has any power behind it. I drive the STS about 400-550 miles a week and I love it. It is great on long trips and very economic in your daily drive around neighborhood. It has had a few computer problems, or re-calls. But I think that the wear is partial to that. I love the car, I definitely want another STS in the near future.

• 

  excellent rebuild - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Mark - March 25 - 11:24 am

  This new rebuild of the Escalade is awesome. They have made many improvements from their older models. The new dash layout is fantastic, especially if you get it with the info package. The touch screen navigation is easier to navigate then with buttons and knobs. The instrument panel competes with many other luxury vehicles as well. And one great feature that this truck has that I have not seen on any other cars is the intellibeam system which puts the highbeams on when it pitch black, this is great for turnpike driving when theres oncoming vehicles. Overall I think General Motors out did themselves, and I would recommend this truck to anyone.

• 

  The Big Dog - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By moose - March 23 - 7:37 pm

  This truck is the best. I think as far as SUVs go it stands alone. Its in a class by itself. The only way to know how good this truck is is to own one. I have had many other SUVs and the 07 Escalade just takes you on another journy. If you dont own one you are missing out.

• 

  Caddy - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By MRD - March 23 - 1:09 pm

  My 1997 Cadillac DeVille rides well and tracks perfectly. It is a very comfortable car, especially for the driver.

• 

  99 Deville - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By tc2lb - March 21 - 10:46 pm

  In my opinion the 1999 DeVille is one of the best Cadillacs ever made. The comfort of its ride is surpassed by none. It has plenty of horsepower to float down the highway. The interior is full of gadgets and comfort. Need I say more?

• 

  Cadillac DTS - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By ROBERT W FLAGG - March 21 - 2:12 pm

  This is the first Cadillac I have owned since the mid-nineties. This car is very quiet - no road or wind noise. I also have a Lexus 430, a great car but not as attractive in the interior or the exterior as the Cadillac. So far the mileage is very good!

• 

  Happy - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Ralph Rogers - March 21 - 1:00 pm

  I had one of the first Northstar engines in 1993 on a Cadillac Eldorado. I was very happy with that engine so I had to get the Performance model in my 2006 DTS. It took me a short while to learn about all the toys such as heated/cooled seats and the massage feature. The Performance model has all the toys but is well worth the purchase just to get the engine. After I sold my 1993 Cadillac I went in 2000 I went with a Lincoln Towncar Cartier Edition. The car was fine but I missed my Cadillac. The DTS rides and drives great and the Performance model is the one to buy. Get the added chrome wheels. It really sets the car off. I am very happy.

• 

  Best Value for a Used Luxury Car - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By ChuckW - March 21 - 11:18 am

  I bought this 2004 lease return vehicle with 30,000 miles on it in the summer of 2004 for less than $25,000. Thats Toyota Camry territory. It is quiet, comfortable, and gets 27-28 MPG on the highway. It has a full factory warranty thru 50,000 miles and I bought an aftermarket warranty through 125,000 miles. My wife drive this one while I drive either the 98 Seville with 135,000 miles (another lease return bargain bought 5 years ago) or the 94 Fleetwood lease return with 200,000 miles bought in Dec 94.

• 

  Love this car!!! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Jean Stanford - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I have the luxury sport package and its everything I wanted. Its sporty and fun, yet roomy enough for passengers and luggage. It has power and style. I didnt expect to like it this much, as I previously had a more expensive luxury sport import. However, this car is a dream and I am very glad I purchased it.