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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  Dont Buy - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Dillpickle AndDena - July 14 - 4:05 pm

  I have two Cadillacs I bought new. We did all the maintenance but yet both cars needed new engines. My 2008 cts at 110,000 miles. And my 2007 escalade about 105,000 miles. I had an aftermarket warranty on both cars thank goodness! If not, I would be carless. I will no longer buy Cadillac. They dont make their cars to last. In my area I have a dealership in Naples and ft myers. Ft myers one treated me so good until my car got old! In fact they didnt want to work on them after the 100,000 mile mark. They put in the engine in the cts and did such a poor job. I will never use that dealership again!

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  Disappointed with Cadillac - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By HL - July 14 - 2:00 am

  The power steering was almost impossible to turn at times,the power locks did not work on certain doors, the radio stations would not come in because the TV sound kept defaulting, and the door would not close on occasion because the latch was stuck. They didnt even have the common sense to put a REAR DOOR LATCH on the vehicle so that you could get into the back when the doors are unlocked. My husband and I are very disappointed with the so- called "Cadillac". He feels that the Escalade is junk and that our GMC Jimmy was far better. We are considering purchasing the new GMC Envoy. It seems far more superior.

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  Oil fogger - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Mr. Beano - July 3 - 2:00 am

  After 15,000 miles, our new DTS began smoking like a chimney and using 4 quarts of oil in 3,000 miles. Our dealer tells us this is normal for a Cadillac. I think we made a $50,000 mistake.

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  Northstar stalling problems X 3 - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By vosser - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Cadillac I have owned, this new one stalls while driving down the street. They have replaced the engine crank sensors. Then they say when I bring it back the second time for the same problem they put a diagnostic package on it and could not get the problem to duplicate. How can I search for others for possible solution or retribution? I am glad Wisconsin has a "lemon law" and will not be hesitant to invoke it. Unless they reair it permanently or replace it now on the third try for the same problem it will be the last Cadillac I purchase.

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  Great car, but lots of problems - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By hoosierdaddy - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I was excited when I purchased the Cadillac that "Zigged when other cars Zagged", but the car has spent so much time in the shop I havent done much Zigging or Zagging. Ive gone through two alternaters (They say Im hard on them...I guess that running the A/C and CD player at the same time is a no-no), two stes of brake pads, a new fuel pump, and a number of minor problems in my three years of ownership. This wouldnt be too terrible if each repair wasnt so incredibly expensive. This is my second Caddy, and definitely my last.

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  Too little too late - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By Jenken - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Brakes replaced at 15,000 miles = $400+. Several warranty items replaced. Gas tank must be 5 gallons or else this is the thirstiest car Ive ever owned. Poor engine/transmission match the car wants to shift long before it should to maximize torque. As such the thing is SLOW. Fit and finish is sub-par for a $35,000+ vehicle. My lease is done soon and I will not consider the new CTS. Caddy may have done a lot to upgrade the new car, but Ive already been turned off for good.

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  close but no cigar - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By sneaky snake - May 21 - 2:00 am

  Car styling is great and quite a looker. STS commercials suggest you are getting something you are not: This car does not handle as well as deVilles, etc. It drinks oil like it is gas, yet the dealer says it is within specs: 1 qt per 1000 mi. Too many rattles, the drivers door has now developed the typical GM rattle and shake No more domestics for me, back to BMW and VOLVO (my 18 year old BMW drinks no oil and runs great at 200K miles.

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  Problems/not dependable - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Tom Del Torre - May 20 - 2:00 am

  No doubt a beautiful vehicle BUT, 7months old and in the shop 7 times. A variety of problems the least a new rear end. The worst will not start and everytime it is allegedly a different problem. At this time it is not dependable. I ve had to use other vehicles for travel--just dont know when it will stop running. I contacted Bill Lang Cad today and am waiting for a response....

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  Build Quality - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By Nice try - May 7 - 2:00 am

  The car is a great concept but poor implementation. Lot of rattles and problems because of build quality. Problems with brakes, A/C, suspension. No place for sunglasses, cannot see clock in daylight. Engine runs strong but drinks oil. Handling is good.

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  A NIGHTMARE - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By Carolyn - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I have never been so disappointed in a vehicle..I let it get repod to avoind any further hassles..over 20 trips to the dealership for repeat warranty work and still NO SATISFACTION the navigation system fried the computer 3x before they removed it..night vision never worked correctly, ALL the windows FELL OUT and way too many other things..I still cant believe Cadillac wouldnt do something about it either, after I paid over 55K