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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  Had a CTS and now driving an ATS - 2016 Cadillac ATS
  By Matt Spencer - January 8 - 8:04 am

  Biggest downside, car is its a large compact. After that watch out it is a fun drive. Great cornering and excellent acceleration provide an excellent feel behind the wheel. The car is 5 star safety in every category making the overall experience that much better. Had previous experience with 2.0 turbo and it was problem free although I only drove it for 50k miles. If you are not looking for a large sedan this could be your car. Drive it and you will like it.

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  Great "Blingmobile" - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Ross Caputo - January 7 - 10:53 pm

  I purchased my 1996 Cadillac Eldorado used with 36,000 miles on it. The previous owner added wire wheels, vogue tires, atainless rocker panels, wheel well fender trim, and white Landau top. The paint is a beautiful metallic maroon. I constantly get positive comments from passers-by. It has a very responsive Northstar engine and holds the road really well. My previous car was a 92 Eldorado, black with a cream interior in great shape but when I happened upon this car I was really taken by the look. I had to have it. Having experienced some repair costs with my prevoius Eldorado I decided to purchase a warranty plan with this one. Cadillac dealer repairs are extremely expensive. I look forward to driving this car, too bad theyve dropped production.

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  2006 Cadillac DTS - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By John - January 7 - 8:12 am

  The exterior design of my 2006 Cadillac DTS is exceptional. The exterior color options are good as well as interior colors. Its handling is better than the previous DeVille models. The XM satellite radio is tremendous and the heated and cooled seats are exceptional.

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  Firefighter - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By JOHN ALMEIDA JR. - January 5 - 9:06 pm

  I have never been in a vehicle that has made me feel so proud. This vehicle exemplifies class. There is no other truck that can make the transition that Cadillac did from luxury to truck.

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  Great Family Vehicle - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Jason - January 5 - 6:06 pm

  We love the Cadillac SRX. The sunroof is amazing, dont buy one without it. It drives like a car, but offers most of the convienances of an SUV. The third row seat is great for people that only use it on occassion and the stadium style seating makes the kids feel part of the action vs. being seclueded behind the second row. Still, the thrid row seat is only made for kids. Its gas mileage is acceptable, not as bad as an SUV, but not as good as many cars. The styling is awesome. It is what sets the vehicle apart from others and always turns heads. It has a great stereo, easy to use navigation system and a very quite ride. I have no major compliants. The wide door jams are a bit odd and take some getting use to.

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  Please Sir, May I have another? - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By cadillacX3 - January 5 - 1:39 pm

  This is my third Cadillac, my second DElegance. My first was an 1985 Eldorado. This one, while excellent to own, has been a little disappointing on gas mileage. My 97 DElegance averaged 30 MPH on the highway and this one is lucky to get 27. All in all, Im pleased and wouldnt hesitate to trust the brand.

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  After One Year - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By pb - January 5 - 1:06 am

  I have driven my 2005 Cadillac STS for 12 months and find that it meets most of my expectations. Coming from a 2002 BMW M3 (and a BMW 540 prior to that), I was looking for more room and creature comforts. Wishing to buy American, I chose the STS V8. I have had only one signifcant problem, the steering column came loose after two months apparently from a manufacturing defect. Cadillac replaced it promtly and I had no further problem. Overall, this car is a great combination of power and a smooth ride, with useful technology (navigation, remote start, and terrific sound system-you must listen to 5.1 channel musice CDs in this vehicle). All this and its American!

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  Do Not Purchase This Vehicle - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By ceranic - January 4 - 12:26 pm

  Think twice before purchasing a 2004 Cadillac CTS. Due the fact that front and rear tire sizes vary, it is not possible to rotate the tires. Consequently, the tires will feather (cup) and produce an irritating, noisey ride. According to several tire dealers, plan on replacing tires after approximately 15,000 miles. I would seriously question any rave reviews on the fun aspect of driving this vehicle, or any vehicle, whose tires remain in place without proper periodic rotation.

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  STS is a Honey - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Swago Ben - January 3 - 4:05 pm

  Our 2006 Cadillac STS is as much fun to drive as my 2000 Corvette. The V6 engine is plenty peppy and responsive, I am not sorry that I did not opt for the V8.

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  CTS is a cool car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Glenda Stayton - January 3 - 3:36 pm

  The Cadillac CTS with both the luxury and sport packages is a very cool and fun car to drive. You have more quick acceleration than you need and with the addition of chrome wheels and a spoiler...you have the looks. The CTS does not have the real soft ride of the DeVille, but the DVville cannot turn on a dime nor accelerate like the CTS can.