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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  1st impressions - 2011 Cadillac SRX
  By mao_007 - August 29 - 7:37 pm

  I recently bought an SRX so I cant really speak to reliability but ...It seems attention to detail is there, very nice interior and an excellent body. The pickup is excellent particularly with the autostick. Gas mileage is a bit disappointing but avoid the lead foot and use autostick and you should be fine. The trunk area is nice, and I particularly like the hidden large well which is lined so it is great for frozen items.I really like the fence divider on rails the trunk area has very handy (can stow in the well).

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  Best Used car I have purchased. - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By 2bogey - August 25 - 4:02 pm

  I was looking for a vehicle that I could load with stuff and take off for a long weekend, but still want to drive it daily. I found the perfect comprimise. V-8 Northstar power and all the Cadillac comforts. Sunroof is about as close as a convertable as you can get. The rear DVD is great for my son on those long trips and the heated seats are heaven. Paid just under 14k with 60k miles. This is probably the one that sat on the showroom floor in 2004. Dont get me wrong its not perfect but It fits every need I have as well as the wants. MPGs are around 18 or so but I do drive with a heavy foot since the V-8 makes me smile. Not for everyone but a great car if it fits your needs.

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  european - 2011 Cadillac SRX
  By gcandler - August 25 - 9:46 am

  This is the first American car I have owned in twenty years. Now I know why. The engine is awful and sounds like a lawn mower. It has zero power and has horrendous gas mileage. The transmission hunts when slowing down and is jerky. The suspension has no give, making all road imperfections a nightmare. All my previous cars were European and I ask myself why Cadillac did not hire some of the talent from their European subsidiaries to design a decent engine and transmission. Its back to the drawing board for Cadillac, and another ten years before i buy another one.

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  Fun Ride - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By jmrwest - August 24 - 10:37 am

  Bought the 04 CTS Sport used in June 09. Had 86k at the time. Fun car to drive. Great performance. So far had to replace the water pump, and throttle body at about a $700 a clip. Seems to go thru tires pretty quick too. Put a new set on about 12k ago and they wont last until next inspection April 12. Overall, got a great deal on this car. Paid about $11k. Still cant believe I paid that amount for such a sweet ride. Very reliable. Have taken on long road trips and love the performance.

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  The best vehicle I have own! - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By therockaligion - August 22 - 7:07 pm

  I have the white pearl Caddy. This vehicle turns eads everywhere. I have taken it off road and up the hills in the Rockies. This Caddy has a lot of power and handles like a sport car.

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  Watch out for that "service stability track/ abs" warning - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By life02 - August 11 - 6:01 pm

  Just purchased my 99 STS 2 months ago after my 94 Eldo was backed into by a raised pickup I had the Northstar oil leak controlled in the Eldo - it only had 88K miles on it - just loved the style/ ride the STS has 1 previous owner actually a "little old lady from Pasadena" carfax showed 30+ entries for ALL services at dealer in Pasadena area she even bought the tires there! No evidence of any major probs in the records but then again, surprises do happen!

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  I Love My DTS.... Still - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By dtsfan - August 8 - 8:38 pm

  As a child of the sixties, I always admired the iconic Cadillac brand. Back when I was a kid, a Cadillac was a Cadillac and everything else paled in comparison. As I approached 45 years old, I was looking to buy a car and looked at everything, from BMW to Jaguar to Mercedes Benz, but my wife had been working for a major cosmetic company and had earned 2 pink Cadillacs in 02 & 04. Thats where I fell in love with the Deville. It had everything, style, prestige, confort, performance, and reliability. The DTS ticked all the boxes for what I wanted in my own car. So I found my bronzemist DTS and brought her home. 5 years later, Im still in love with her.

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  Dream car! Well, When It runs right... - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By ingloriousish - August 7 - 4:42 am

  I absolutely LOVE the feel of sliding in my car, turning that key (steering wheel, Seat AND mirrors adjust accordingly) and feeling that sexy piece of Northstar purr. But on the honest note, It has its problems. I bought it used w/ 130,000. Ive had one episode of overheating. Aside from that, Itll go to 3/4 temp gauge, drop and run nominal from there... If anyone has an answer for that, Feel free to holler at me! Anyway, INCREDIBLE car. Totally worth the money as long as youre willing to put some more into it!

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  piece of junk - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By knotarnicola - August 4 - 2:27 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with my cadillac cts. It started making noised at around 15,000 miles. I ended up needing to have the entire driveshaft replaced. The brakes have always made noises that they shouldnt and I just had one of the fuel injectors replaced. It got stuck open according to the tecnician and the car started smoking and smelled like fuel. The car is totally not worth the money I paid for it.

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  CTS Owner for 2 Years - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By linedrive21 - August 3 - 9:46 pm

  Owned my 2008 CTS 3.6 liter luxury edition for two years. No issues except a headlamp replacement. Combined mileage about 22.7 mpg. 26.8 hwy (non DI engine). Runs great, fun to drive. Excellent paint quality. I also own a 2004 SRX which has been okay, but had to replace xfer case at 51,000 miles. This CTS now is at 38,000 miles with no issues. Great quality GM. I now own four GM vehicles.