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:

• 

  We love our CTS! - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By RR Fait - March 16 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the CTS for my wife. She feels so safe driving it thanks to the frame structure design that resembles that used by her favorite Nascar driver, Scott Wimmer and the Cat car!! I have to admit that I feel secure also but my review would go deeper by saying I really like the handeling on curves and in tight places, its excellent. I would like to have the instruement panel a little more visible, especially when the steering wheel is in my most comfortable position. This is (overall) a very beautiful automobile to own and operate. Hats off to GM on this concept..

• 

  Should have waited another year - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By sad Cts - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This car has been nothing but trouble. Its first defect was on the trip home from the dealer. The stabilty systems yaw sensor went right away. Next the sunroof, the A/C system leaked into the cabin and flooded the floors. The seat tracks rusted, the wires got wet, the oil cooler leaked coolant. 17 days total out of service so far and there are more problems, too many to list!

• 

  great car - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By keith duggan - March 12 - 11:55 am

  Great handling and great pickup when passing other vehicles. This car demands to be driven. The ride is unbelivable, its the first car my wife has been able to sleep in while on a trip. Great job Cadillac!

• 

  I love my STS! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By swirls - March 12 - 9:28 am

  its a solid vehicle with lots of bells and whistles. The adaptability of the vehicle to my needs is superb. All of the instruments are within reach and plainly displayed with out being striking or obvious. This car has real presence with a stylishness that is classic and not trendy. I also received a wealth of information to further enhance my Cadillac experience. I encourgage anyone who is curious to give this one a spin. Youll be hooked!

• 

  STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Belinda Mitchell - March 12 - 3:53 am

  Its a wonderful vehicle. I have the rear wheel drive vehicle and the performance in the snow is still good. It is excellent in rainy weather. Cadillacs traction control makes up about for the lack of all wheel drive. But, if you drive in heavy snow go for the all wheel drive.

• 

  Thoughts - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Mike Rodgers - March 11 - 10:47 pm

  Traveling on the open road in my 2005 Cadillac DeVille is like riding on air, even on California roads. The fuel milage for this big a car has been around 25 mpg, highway and 17 mpg in town. the interior could be nicer for the cost. The headlights are bright, but dont seem to light the road as well as they should. The front end is low and drags when entering some driveways. Overall, the car is very nice to drive.

• 

  Worth Owning.. A+ - 2011 Cadillac DTS
  By Harold Wells - March 10 - 9:42 pm

  Nice car. I own 5 Cadillacs so how bad can than be.... we love GM.

• 

  2004 CTS, 3.6L Luxury Model - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike Boyd - March 10 - 12:38 pm

  My 2004 Cadillac CTS is smooth and fast. It is a total joy to drive. When hitting a headwind or crosswind, you can hardly tell. It has no road noise and is a real head-turner. I have had absolutely no maintenance issues. Just change the oil every 10,000 miles w/Mobil 1, put in the gas and go.

• 

  Love it - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Chaz - March 8 - 8:17 pm

  I have the 2005 Cadillac CTS Luxury Sport model w/navigation, and 5-speed automatic transmission. I actually bought my car used, (not a demo) w/4,100 miles. It is a blast to drive. My first choice had been a Chrysler 300C, but I had a Cadillac STS prior, and this to me drove so much better. The doors close solidly, and the fit and finish suprised me. This car is much quieter (wind noise) than my STS was. I highly reccommend it.

• 

  Red Hot 2008 CTS4 - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By anselmoc5 - March 7 - 6:03 pm

  We bought this loaded 2008 CTS to replace our base model 2004 CTS. What a huge step up! Ours is exactly like the Crystal Red CTS4 seen in all of the ads. This car draws a great deal of attention when we are out in it. An 800 mile road trip in the first week of ownership proved to be a most pleasurable drive. The car handles like a sports cars and the 304 HP V6 sure feels like a V8. The ride is Cadillac quality but with a nice sporty road feedback. All of the chatter about the sunroof letting in too much light proved to be a non- issue. Even with the light Cashmere interior the sun shade blocked out the suns rays just fine. This is a truely great car to own!