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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  DO NOT BUY - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By ihateescalades - March 17 - 9:19 pm

  I love the look and feel of my cadillac escalade esv..however it is an $80,000 car that is 3 years ols and ha been in the shop monthly since 3 months after purchase.....i have replaced an alternator 9 door locks 6 door handles and an o2 sensor, $986.00 in battery cables (that did not fix the problem) cruise control hasnt worked in 5 months, heated steering wheel went out a year ago ($900.00) to fix it..rear defrost has been serviced 4 times... i was told i should have bought an extended warranty...y would an $80,000 car need an extended warranty....i wouldnt sell this car to my enemy! and wait til u have to do general maintenance on it...$1500.00 easy! im told this is all normal!

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  If your planning on spending $50k look at something European - 2011 Cadillac SRX
  By jbspray_77 - February 27 - 7:02 pm

  Have had this car for 6 months, and recently took it on a 10 hr road trip and ended up falling out of love with it. When we got it we though it was a great value compared to the big three from Germany. The ride is really rough. I suspect this was some sort of effort to make the SRX sporty. It is really tight, and it seemed every little bump could be heard and felt inside it car. The interior is nice, and the price for the content is better than those from Germany. But gas milage is so-so. We average about 25 MPG on the high way, and 15 city. Its overall average isnt much better than my fullsize truck. If youre gonna spend $50k there are better offering for mid-size crossovers.

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  Everything we expected and more. - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By woods2 - February 20 - 9:49 pm

  Bought SRX to replace our 12 year old motor-home. Wanted vehicle for continued travels, with ample cargo space, and ability to reach 2nd home in all types weather. Couldnt ask for a better choice. Have 8,400 miles to date and average 26.7 mpg on road. SRX joins M-B 300 and Volvo C70 in our "fleet", and its become our favorite ride. Added fog lamps and greatly improve night driving on back roads. First driving experience without spare tire/jack keeping fingers crossed. No negatives to date. Power, ride, rear seat space concerns, addressed by others, found to be very acceptable in our case. Rear seats partially recline and most comfortable. Outstanding Dealership.

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  Above the Rest. - 2010 Cadillac DTS
  By al_01 - February 10 - 11:45 pm

  This is absolutely an eye catcher of a vehicle. The ride is smooth and very quiet. Handling if very good and responsive. The cabin area both front and rear has more than adequate room. Our friends could not believe how roomy and stately this car is. The chrome wheels really enhances the silver DTS. I previously owned a Lincoln Town Car and this DTS is far superior both in roominess and handling. DTS interior is by far more rich looking. Has an awsome stereo system. My wife and I will definetly purchase another Cadillac. We are very satisfied and throughly enjoy riding in our DTS. MPG on the road is 20 and in town 16. We are statisfied with this.

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  Amazing First Car!! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By ideal_dreams - February 9 - 7:17 pm

  I am 16 and have been eying the Cadillac brand ever since my dad bought his Escalade. I noticed the CTS and instantly fell in love. I found an 06 luxary model with a little over 70,000 miles on it and bought it. There are absolutely no problems with the car and I look forward to driving it every time I get in it. Its got some great pickup, especially with the sport button and it drives very well in the snow. I have no regrets of buying this car and would recommend it to anyone I talk to.

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  Loving My New Luxury SRX FWD - 2011 Cadillac SRX
  By creeative123 - February 7 - 2:05 pm

  I have been watching this vehicle since it came out in 2010. I went back and forth between the Infinity FX35, BMW X3, Audi Q5 and the Cadillac SRX. Coming from a Japaneese SUV I was hesitant at first, but I must say, GM really stepped it up a knotch. I went with the Luxury Model and to be honest I dont think it is sluggish at all. It is stylish, they spared no expense on all of the bells and whistles. It can be alittle hard to see backing up but the camera which comes on your rear view mirror more than makes up for that. You do loose a little head room with the Pani sunroof, but the benfits more than outway the negatives. Give the SRX a try I think u will be majory supprised.. I was

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  My Last Cadillac - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By nomorecads - January 28 - 11:09 am

  09:03 AM (PST) I too love the the Cadillac but unfortunately I will not own another one. The 1996 STS I had was a money pit. Constantly at the dealer for repairs. Had the engine resealed twice. It had 56k miles when I traded it. I traded it for a 2003 with 4k miles. It now has 30k miles and we have had the engine completely resealed, constantly fighting leaks, parts being replaced are lasting less than a year, the air/heater broke down, the seat heaters had to be repaired and the radio and cd changer doesnt work right. I am now looking to trade it in for something else.

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  Sold on Cadillacs - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By ctson22s - January 25 - 1:47 pm

  I bought this car with the money that I saved while in highschool. I first had an oldsmobile intrigue and that was a good first car but not anything amazing by any means. My family has always had plain vehicles and my dad wanted to keep it that way. He did not want me to get this car because he said i couldnt afford it for insurance and repairs. I saved up the cash and bought it outright. I love this car!!! I have had to put a thermostat....very expensive...and a coil pack on it. Repairs are very expensive but I have had no other problems and it runs very good! It drives excellent and the bose stereo is nice. I would recommend this car to anyone. I threw on some 22" rims & its still smooth

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  One owner car bought with 65K - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By totsman - January 21 - 9:12 pm

  To anyone with a vibration issue. You need to keep the stock Michelin Symmetrys on the car. Once I put new tires on and went to Sullivan Tire multiple times we did it. 0 to 100 MPH, no vibration. Bad experience with Caddy dealer who had to be told to replace back seat control module twice. I wrote it in the P & S agreement the AC in the back didnt work. 1) Tires (2) Dry boots and a broken axle 3) Broken engine front mount 4) Water pump froze and wiped out all the pully system. (5) Air intake sensor problem 6) Fuel pump float sending unit gone 7) 1-20-11 back in the shop for misfire and fuel 8) Replaced pass. window regulator

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  2005 Oil consumption issues - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By gades - January 19 - 12:13 pm

  I have 2005 CTS with 68000 miles that has been drinking oil like a drunk sailor for the past 1 1/2 years at the rate of 2 qts every 1000 miles! The dealership tried to charge me in excess of $5500 to fix the problem which included new piston rings and an assortment of other "fixes". Since my warrenty of 6yr/100000 was no longer valid the dealership will now "only" charge me about $1400. I stated my disappointment to them about how can a "high" quality GM car have such problems at such a low milage to which their reply was: "not all the vehicles that cadillac produces will be flawless...every now and then you might get a flawed one"... Never again will I be a cadillac buyer.