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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  Excellent car for the well informed - 1991 Cadillac Allante
  By GFattore - September 7 - 7:43 pm

  Series II (1990.5 -1992) Allantes are the best value in a semi-exotic in the market. The Recaro seats have firm support and are not appreciated by the heavy-bummed gold-chained set. The handling improves dramatically by the fitment of contemporary tires and better brake pads. Fit and finish are exemplary. Make sure you bleed the Teves brake system annually. No Northstar, but much better interior materials than the 93 version. This is a very under-rated car and reliable if mundane Cadillac drivetrain. Buy one for the price of a used Ford, and enjoy the ride. Upgrade of sound system is mandatory.

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  DeVille DTS - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Carleen - September 7 - 6:58 pm

  I had a 1995 DeVille for 10 years which was better designed, and more comfortable than my 2005 DeVille. The bucket seats sink in the middle, with hard edges - 21 inches from front to back -- pressure on sciatic nerve in right leg causing numbness! The seat belts cuts across my neck (Im 55")creating an irritating hazard. The seat belts and side air bags are attached to the seats (very poor design). This is the most uncomfortable car Ive ever owned. Cadillac needs to rethink this design! Id never have bought it, if I had tried it first. It was purchased from an out of state dealer by my dealer. Dealers were out of cars, due to employee discount. Salesmen didnt know that DTS stood for "sport performance" car. Great for the under 40 6 tall guy.

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  She Loves Me, and I Love Her - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Craig Fort Worth,TX - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I am a 36 yr. old male. I have had my CTS for about 2 weeks now.I am a big guy, 65" @ 300lbs. I fit in her well. She drives wonderfully. She has the feel of the BMW 500. She corners on Rails. I was looking at a BMW and Volovo S80. For the money, you would be hard pressed to find a better deal. When I bought the car my wife was out of town in California with friends. When she returned she unlocked the car with her remote and the pre-sets, (radio, seats, mirrors, air) all went to her favorite settings. She drove it for 30 minutes and came back smiling. I guess I get to keep her and the car too!

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  Our Caddy is great - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By John - September 5 - 4:11 pm

  This car has never given us any trouble, is great on the highway and is an economical car to drive and own. I use a synthetic motor oil and it really has help overall MPG. Good looking car, even when parked next to the Corvette that it share the house with. Dealership is a true 5-star. They have always been more than helpful with any questions or concerns.

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  The Batmobile - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Batman - September 4 - 12:09 pm

  Fantastic car with tons of cool gizmos and gadgets that are so fun to play with. Great power with the V8, and handling with the magnetic suspension is the best that I have driven. I really like the remote start, cools it down inside. If only it would come pick me up. The black exterior and the chrome lines make it my little Batmoblie.

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  The Best - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By MWA - September 2 - 3:56 am

  Oil consumption problems with Northstar engine virtually eliminated with what is termed WOT (wide open throttle)running. It appears ironic, but works. The finest automobile that I have ever owned and offers unparalleled luxury from top to bottom. OBD II system virtually checks systems and can be manually accessed for DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) In essence, it diagnoses its own problems. Leather interior is exquisite. Ride is just like sitting in an expensive leather recliner- in a jet airplane. Sound system-CD changer & cassette player- offer flawless entertainment. MPG 24 city / 30 highway. Beauty, power and performance like no other I have ever driven................

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  Great SLS - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By Raz - September 2 - 1:48 am

  Previously leased, low miles, 17k, clean, black with black leather, darkened the windows, came with chrome spoke wheels. Fine ride, very quick with 275hp, 26mpg highway, 22 in town. It is a little smooth compared to the STS but my 50 year old rear appreciates that! A real treat to look at and drive. :)

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  Needs more trunk space - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Frank - September 1 - 9:36 pm

  Wow- Car gets the looks, I wish the wood grain would not scrach so easy. Fun to drive with top down. Radio needs better antenna, but sound is great.

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  Not a Real Standout. - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Ron - September 1 - 4:46 pm

  Ive had mine for 5 months with 5,000 miles on it. I like the car generally, for the reasons I purchased it - stand out design, performance. However, I think its a pretty average GM car in most ways. It lacks the "luxury" amenities you would find in other cars of this price range. For example, you get the same generic key fob as a Chevy Astro with no standard alarm or window roll down feature. And no locking fuel door? Are you kidding me? And while the performance is good, its nothing to write home about. Assembly is not that good either. Rear bumper cover feels loose, and the passenger doors have to be slammed to be shut properly. While these arent critical issues, this car can improve.

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  yeeeeya! - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Kristin - September 1 - 1:07 pm

  Amazing sick car! Drives great looks great what else can I say. Not just an old guido car anymore! Caddy out did themselves with this one! So stick Grandpa in the DTS, and get in your CTS.