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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  Sweet Ride - 1999 Cadillac Eldorado
  By fishbone70 - March 20 - 5:07 am

  I have had my Eldorado for nearly a year now. I cannot tell you how the black exterior coupled with the black interior turns heads. The power is always there. I love dusting off little import tuners...they always underestimate the power of American design! I love this car!

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  Great ride - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By rick - March 18 - 11:40 pm

  When someone starts gives you how big a seat is in inches, I kind of figure theyre a competitor and not an owner. Ive owned more than a few SUVs in my including the RX (3), Audi (1), a Highlander, an Infiniti and1 other American SUV besides a Caddy. Had a SRX which quite frankly I didnt care for. I now own an XT5 and it is a great car. Transmission is 8 speed so its moving through gears nicely. Blue tooth hookup and what I like is if the phone rings, the A/C gets quieter automatically. I like that there are now more buttons and less of that touch screen. I hated pushing the screen to increase the A/C. Now its a button. The rear view camera can be used as your rear view mirror so if there are people in the back seat, your view will not be blocked. Im 6 foot but not overweight so I find the seats very comfortable. My legs havent fallen asleep while driving. All in all, Im happy with this SUV and I believe it compares favorably with the RX.

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  The real deal - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Dan - March 17 - 5:18 pm

  Recently drove my CTS 3.6 from Monterey to Big Sur and back on the Pacific Coast Highway. I drove at the limit up and down the hills and hairpin curves never using the brakes - just the sport shift! It was as if the car was on rails! I own a Mercedes and have owned a VW and a BMW. It handles just as well these do - but is more comfortable. It glides in and out of traffic with terrifc acceleration and with smooth, effortless shifting. GM doesnt know how good a car they have. Interior could be a little sexier.

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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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  CTS Howls and Whines - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Len Turi - March 17 - 9:30 am

  My CTS howls and whines at all speeds and RPMs. Cadillac states that this is 100% within its standards and is characteristic of the vehicle. This does not give me peace of mind that the car is operating safely.

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  AWD Alternative to Lexus 430/460 - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By sanjeevp - March 17 - 6:10 am

  One of the best vehicles to come out of Detroit. Nice balance between the performance and handling of BMW & Mercedes and comfort of Lexus 430. Performance, handling and ride are excellent user interface and voice recognition are poorly executed reliability for 1st year is good according to CR. Good (and less expensive) AWD alternative to Lexus 430/460 in Northern snow areas in my opinion superior to BMW and Mercedes. But you can still get better value for money with the Infiniti M45.

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  GM gets it right - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike L. - March 16 - 6:39 am

  Ive have nothing but praise for this mid-size sedan. It handles flawlessly, its extremely comfortable, and has all the options anyone can possibly want. The 2.8L engine is as fast, if not quicker off the line than my 2003 Bonneville. GM has a winner.

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  if i could do it again - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By frank - March 15 - 8:49 pm

  I was looking for a comfortable car as I travel extensively. When I first sat in my DeVille I thought " this is the car". After a short test drive I purchased. Now that I have owned it for two weeks, I would give it back if I could. The front seat are totally uncomfortable. No matter how I set my power seats, I cannot get past the lack of back support. On the highway, I am continually making corrections to my steering due to "floating". I like the appearance, but there are better cars out there. I wish I had purchased the Avalon!

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  A Real Looker - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By fyreman235 - March 15 - 1:57 pm

  I love the Cadillac exterior styling. I guess it is a love-it-or-hate-it thing! I bought it with 2,000 miles as certified used vehicle with a 100,000 mile warranty. It has already been on a 5,000 + mile round trip, and I have very few complaints. It performed well in all circumstances including snowy mountain roads in Colorado. The navigation system always gets you there, but not always by the best route.

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  What a Pretty Car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By tbs - March 15 - 2:00 am

  No car I have ever driven has received so much attention as my CTS. I have been stopped at least twice a week since I got the car with people providing favorable feedback. If you dont want attention, dont drive this car. It is extremely confortable for the long haul and has the acceleration, handling, and braking to mix it up in traffic. Glad I got it.