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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  Would not buy this car again - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By New Caddy owner - November 18 - 5:08 pm

  The car is advertised as getting 18 MPG in the city but Im only getting between 13 and 14. Am thoroughly upset about this.

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  Reliability, Power & Good Mileage - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By Rick W. - November 16 - 3:48 pm

  This is our 3rd Caddy. Purchased this one 9 years ago when it had 26k on it. Now has 64k. (we have 3 other vehicles) No major problems at all. As with the other reviews, excellent power, can easily get 26-27 MPG. When its cleaned and waxed it still turns heads!

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  Always wanted one - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Bill t - November 12 - 9:37 am

  Rides like a big car, it is a big car. Have a small car for work, but wanted a cadliac for other times. This year and model has everything you can think a car should have. People look at it when it goes by, a car should get noticed. Repairs are high and there are things I have to fix. But for a car 11 years old, looks good and rides like only a big car can. Purchased an American car even if GM is having problems. Parts and people who can work on it are still working.

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  Great car, Fun to Drive - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Dan - November 10 - 9:47 pm

  I have had my CTS for two years, and had read several reviews before my purchase. I saw that there were several complaints about the batteries dying on this vehicle. I also had this problem, not because of a faulty wiring system like many of the reviews said, but because of the bose sound system. When i bought the car i knew bose made a cheap product and expected this to happen, due to the lack of a remote wire on their amp. I replaced the amp and speakers (the bose speakers are made of cardboard) with a better product and it fixed the issue. This car has great handling and plenty of power.

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  American Engineering - 1995 Cadillac Eldorado
  By MMariani4206 - November 8 - 7:12 pm

  Very well built car. Almost 15 years old with no rust, clean leather, no tears. Drives well, handles well. Poor fuel mileage, and expensive to run premium fuel. Perfect example of a high quality American automobile. Northstar engine is amazing!!

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  solid - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By fred - November 2 - 4:36 pm

  bought mine with 71k about a year ago. now has 96k and only have replaced an egr valve. does burn 1 quart between oil changes but from reading here, typical. great gas mileage 25 on highway. great punch when you need it. just replaced brakes all around for 350.00 with ceramic pads and the egr valve was about 200.00. I would buy another one.

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  Glad I bought it used - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Va rider - October 30 - 2:29 pm

  have read many reviews. I agree: a little firmer than my 2001 SLS. Not used to bumpier ride. Mileage is 13 in town and 19 on the road with hi test and Cad recommended fuel (Texaco). I test drove an 80,000 mile BMW 750i before and much nicer and same price. Retails for $101K now but an STS V-8 is easily $68K. Next time or next car: AWD

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  Poor quality for $40K - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By J2010G - October 26 - 3:08 pm

  First luxury new car I bought. Treated it well, drove easy. Torque converter replaced at 38K mi. Power Steering replaced at 40K mi. Oil - a quart every 2K mi. Water level sensor out at 60K mi. Fuel pump out at 60K mi. MAFE sensor intermittent at 70K mi and Radiator leak started. On Star obsoleted equipment in car and it ran down battery. Replaced battery. Dash cover turning up at corners at 90K mi even though garaged all the time. A/C blowing greasy stuff out of vents at 90K mi. Torque converter out again at 105K mi. All repair prices/parts out of sight because its a Cadillac. My used cars all were better than this one. To think I paid $40K....

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  Moms car - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Les - October 23 - 2:59 am

  Good quality and much better mileage than advertised. Only issues I have is Im 60" and theres a blind spot where the rear view mirror is that blocks forward vision for me but mnot my wife. I wish I could find a way to lower the seat. Dealer service has been excellent.

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  raditor vent noise - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Leo Dagovich - October 22 - 7:58 pm

  I have Cadillac Escalade 2007 for 2.5 yrs... After last tune up got very unpleasant radiator vent noise every time remotly start engine, plus offen vent on when outside 50 F ....Mentioned to dealership,- statement from GM "consultant" - normal for Escalade!!!??? I was tying to find anyone else complaint about this problem- none to be found....Noise very loud and Im getting multiple comments b/o it.... What to do next? Help,please!