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:

• 

  Dont buy Catera or any other GM product - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Alex - September 1 - 7:45 am

  This car has been absolutely terrible. Although the car is a nice drive when running right it rarely runs right. Lucky I bought an extended warranty that has paid more than $10,000 in repair costs. My problems range from a faulty seat heater to a broken transmission and bad control arm bushings. Also, during my frequent dealership visits I have received crappy service. Dont buy this car or anything else GM makes.

• 

  It did its job well - 1999 Cadillac Escalade
  By rwp - September 1 - 1:25 am

  I bought this vehicle used with approximately 40,000 miles on it. I was looking for a good family SUV with some luxury. That is what I got. Gas mileage is poor, but I knew that going in. The leather seats are great, sound system is BOSE need i say more, OnStar, and a rocking entertainment system with UHF/VHF antenna on rear side windows for local programming ( you dont see that anymore). Vehicle has required some work, but nothing serious, extended warranty covered it. In the end w/gas prices and increased drive to work it has become uneconomical to own. Would reccommend to anyone with short commute.

• 

  Not very welll built - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By Greg - August 30 - 6:23 pm

  I wouldnt buy another Cadillac. My 2002 Seville has been in the shop for 3 major fixes and now that it is no longer under warranty I worry all of the time about the next system failure. Each failure resulted in over a week at the shop and would have cost several thousand dolalrs if not for the warranty.

• 

  2005 Cadillac STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By gordon petry - August 30 - 4:35 pm

  We have had our 2005 Cadillac STS for less than two months but so far really love it except for the small glove box. This is our fourth one and we really love it. We had some problems with the carpet but my dealer and Cadillac renewed it. We hope to buy another one in a couple of years.

• 

  Love my Escalade AWD - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Happy Customer - August 29 - 10:10 pm

  I just baught a used 2003 Cadillac Escalade AWD. I love it. I have owned many cars and SUVs, from Lexus, Mercedes and many others. Not only does my Escalade look cool but it drives as good as it looks. I did put on 22" rims. Only problem with the wheels is the Escalade attracts alot of attention. Sometimes it can be unwanted attention but I wouldnt change a thing.

• 

  My SRX - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Teri - August 27 - 11:41 pm

  I love this vehicle! I wasnt sure if I would even like it but since I bought it I have taken on a small road trip, filled it up with 7 of my friends and everyone was comfy and happy, it is the best. Like it better every day.

• 

  Cadillac SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Diane - August 27 - 9:30 pm

  I went from a large SUV to the Cadillac SRX. It is the best move that I have made. The SRX is easy to drive and has excellent handling. I enjoy all the Cadillac luxury options. The interior is roomy and I do not feel confined.

• 

  Broke down mountain - 2016 Cadillac SRX
  By Bob Reinherz - August 26 - 7:17 pm

  Within 2 days of lease, after having driven 517 miles, the vehicle suffered a severe internal transmission failure. The transmission was rebuilt and failed a second time. We told both the dealership and G.M., we did not want the car back. They refused a buyback!

• 

  I love this car. My best Cadillac ever! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Deb C. - August 26 - 6:24 pm

  We recently leased this car and are very pleased with it. I traded in my Escalade because it was too big and not good in gas mileage. The SRX has everything that we need and came fully loaded with the exception of the navigation and DVD system. We have are own. It is fun to drive and easy to figure out with the included CD. We love the looks of the car and so does everyone else. There is no other car like it as I have been looking at smaller SUVs and none of them have the cargo space or the looks and options such as the SRX. The 6 Cyl/AWD is great. I have no complaints with this car. The dealership is great as well as the employee discount. This is my first lease program. Works out great!

• 

  Cadillac CTS 2005 - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Everett Coker - August 26 - 4:54 am

  The ride is smooth and the handling is good. Car responded when asked and was quiet while riding. A/C could be a little quiter.