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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  Initial impressions - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Scott - February 4 - 11:38 pm

  Have only had the car now for about a week. Less than 500 miles on it so far but so far so good. Just got a hitch put on it and the all weather floor mats and mudflaps. Turbo definitely gives it a bit more pep - but you should definitely drive for yourself to decide if the premium (and drop in gas mileage) is worth it. One gotcha that I have not seen mentioned is that the Turbo requires premium while the 3.0L engine can run on regular. Compared it with XC-60, RX350 - and decided on this for features and drive.

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  Florida STS Finds Happy Home in Canada - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Roger Wyatt - February 4 - 6:40 pm

  I have been a Caddyman for a few years now and my first drive was a 1500 mile trip from Fort Lauderdale.The ride was not as soft as my 02 STS but was solid....this car can handle as it is equipped with the performance upgrade.The V6 sprints down the interstates with ease.The powerplant performs very well,transmission shifts are not noticeable at all.The interior is well laid out and being 6-4 and 270 I had no trouble in finding a comfortable driving position. The navigation system is easy to read with the big screen and the 5.1 stereo system is wonderful.I do notice a marginal difference in power from the 02 northstar V8 but the V6 had no trouble in performing a quick passing maneuver.

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  Nine Solid Years - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By Happy Caddy Gal - February 4 - 3:43 pm

  Bought car new in Dec. 2000. Never any problems - only oil changes, batteries, and tires required. All gadgets still work great, but service engine light has come on - transmission torque converter code. Mileage has not dropped, but light still worries me. Since dealer wants over $3K to fix what is now a $5K car, I will probably buy a foreign luxury car (Lexus, Audi, Mercedes). Refuse to buy from any company that took government bailout money. GM and banks should perish for stealing from taxpayers.

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  Its so nice - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Duke - February 4 - 11:47 am

  I bought my 06 DTS as a program car with 17K on it. Ive had it for over 3 years and I absolutely love it. My gas mileage on the highway nears 30 MPG. Its very comfortable and drives like a dream. The cooled seats are a blessing in the New Mexico summers. This is my 4th Caddy and Ill buy more.

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  So Far So Good - 2010 Cadillac CTS
  By DubyaC - February 2 - 10:11 pm

  I selected the CTS for my first high end car. Born in the 60s, I can easily remember the days when Cadillac & Lincoln dominated the luxury market. So I was excited not just to finally have a Cadillac of my own, but one with modern styling, excellent fit & finish, and outstanding performance. As they say, its not your Dads Cadillac. I love the feedback I get through the tranny - whether the automatic or manual mode. Excellent balance struck between quiet ride and performance suspension. Handles the corners quite well, but road noise you typically get with such a car is absent - enough for passengers to comment on the quiet cabin. Acceleration is more than competent.

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  Replaced a GLK 350 - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By jeff s - February 2 - 12:01 pm

  My wife recently purchased a MB GLK350 and found it too small, as I did. Replaced it with the SRX-AWD....much roomier and frankly more comfortable overall. Though this is our first american name tag in two decades, it is surprisingly satisfying. Only drive in about 1,000 miles. So far so good.

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  Best all around car I ever owned - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Charles Henry - January 30 - 4:50 pm

  This my is my fifth Cadillac and is the best driving car I have ever owned . I get good mileage for the size. I have had numerous repairs but I enjoy the it handles and I plan to drive for several more years .

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  2010 SRX - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By rk4racing - January 29 - 11:31 pm

  At 1700 miles, still loving my SRX. We test drove the Terrian, but picked the SRX due to standard features on the SRX that are not available on Terrian. A great value for the price, plus the latest Caddy technology. The digital display is very cool. My in- laws who have 07 Escalade were giddy over features. The drive and handling is fun and sporty. Love the styling, the SRX stands out amongst the mass of curved crossovers, a headturner amongst the mass Lexus in So. Cal.

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  so far, so good - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By D. Johnson - January 28 - 6:10 pm

  This vehicle caught our eye in October of last year. Its exterior made a statement that we liked. The interior hit the spot,too...A lot of creature comforts there. Prior to purchase,we searched for reviews, giving more weight to people who actually *bought* the vehicle. Some who bought the Performance SRX said the ride (on 20-inch wheels)was too stiff and they wish theyd purchased the Luxury with the 18-inch wheels. We decided the Luxury SRX met our needs. We like the ride,feel and handling. Its too soon to rank its reliability...Ill have to get back to you on that.

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  First Cadillac - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By JLT - January 27 - 8:39 am

  My husband had been trying to get me to buy a new car, but I really loved my 99 Grand Am, and the appearance of the new cars did not appeal to me. Besides that, the Grand Am was the first new car that I ordered just the way I wanted it! But, even though the CTS is a used car, it beats the Grand Am hands down in almost all categories. Comfortable, easy driving, nice appearance, lots of amenities, could have better gas mileage, but overall, a really nice car. I am not sorry that we bought this car, especially since it is American made.