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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  Utter Disappointment - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By soren919 - January 15 - 11:59 pm

  My very first car turned out to be a lemon and a stressor on my mother. Seemed like a nice, clean car that wouldnt cost me a lot because it was a Cadillac and Cadillacs usually are pretty dependable. But this car, just was an EPIC FAIL. Now Im trading it in and getting this burden off of me and my mother! Engine repair costed $2000, then the brakes, then tires, then transmission (which has to be injected into engine which is even more money) sunroof works when it wants to, back wheel drive stinks (especially in snow and ice), power locks on driver side went out, and on top of all of that, CRAPPY gas mileage...please dont ever buy this car...all of these cars should be set on fire!!

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  Great value, great service - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By jbowen52 - January 13 - 10:27 pm

  I bought this used with 45000 miles. It has performed great for me. Smooth ride, great seats, great handling for a tall crossover and a great value. Performance with the V6 is adequate, but it is pulling a heavy vehicle with AWD. Have not needed more yet. I considered the GMC Acadia and clones, but this was less than any of them with similar age and miles despite a higher initial price. Some minor interior issues were resolved quickly by the local dealer under warranty. Mileage runs low 20s highway, not bad with AWD at high speed and high teens around town. Love it so far and would buy another but new one doesnt offer the third row seat, useful with the grandkids.

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  First Caddy - 2011 Cadillac CTS
  By richman64 - January 4 - 4:54 pm

  I had read many of the reviews from many sources, and so far my new CTS is living up to them, both good and bad. Its a very quiet and smooth riding car and the styling is awesome, especially in the crystal red color that I have. However, my old $25K, 4 cyl Nissan Altima I just traded in has several things my new CTS lacks: More storage, folding rear seat, much quicker acceleration

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  3 new suvs - 2011 Cadillac Escalade
  By adtaylor - January 4 - 6:50 am

  this is the third suv this yr. all 2011 first one 2011 qx56 nice inside good power could not keep on road, drove terrible factory man said we know we have a problem dont know how to fix traded for a buick enclave it was ok but in first 1000 mi the ps went out then the air cond compressor then had to change out tires 3 times to keep it from bounceing all over the raod 3000 mi in the shop 8 timees and there more than home, engine rattles bad ps hum, air cond vibrates traded for a 2011 cad escalade great power nice trim, drives well, super turn radius vs qx no comparison, buick not in same class, it drove and felt like a small car, squeeky seats, just not the quality

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  DTS vs Avalon - 2010 Cadillac DTS
  By dino29 - January 1 - 9:06 pm

  What are the editors drinking or inhaling comparing the Avalon to the DTS? I just completed test driving both vehicles multiple times starting out w/an open mind - The Avalon rides like a little & lighter car compared to the DTS. The trunk is significantly smaller on the Avalon & it just doesnt have the ride quality of the DTS. The overall appearance is that of a much cheaper vehicle, which the Avalon is. I was very surprise when I looked at the expert review & found these two vehicles being compared as peers. The DTS is significantly more of a luxury vehicle in nearly all respects. This notion that not having a six speed trans somehow lessens the vehicle is hogwash.

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  Dont ever buy or lease a cadillac from Moss Robertson Cadillac in Gainesville, GA - 2011 Cadillac CTS
  By donnaraef - December 31 - 12:52 pm

  Two weeks after leasing what we thought would be a wonderful car the cadi started making a terrible knocking noise when started! Brought it back twice and was told BOTH times that it was manufactured that way and for us to just DEAL WITH IT! Tried to turn in our cadi for another model and Nick Jones, our original sales rep, did NOT even have the courtesy to call me back! So disappointed with this dealership in ALL regards. We turned in the Cadi and r now driving a 2011 ES 350 Lexus!!Guess what! We turned the car in and now own a brand new Lexus ES 350! So disappointed with this dealership cannot even put anything else into words except that they need to be ashamed of themselves.

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  Better than the new one - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By mattjames24 - December 28 - 3:00 pm

  Purchased as a demo fully loaded (minus the navigation system and V8) and absolutely love the car. The magnetic ride control gives the car a performance/handling on par with BMW. The moonroof is great, especially when open on the long drive home from work. The only downside was the high cost of brake work after the service department failed to notice the wear. But all in all a great car and much better than the cheap, underpowered one released 2010. on the long drive home from work.

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  REAL success - 2011 Cadillac CTS
  By 3tennis - December 27 - 6:38 pm

  Our Cadillac CTS recently withstood a big buck collision. Airbags deployed, OnStar called my wife (who was alone at the time) to check her status. Within minutes, police, ambulance, animal control, and a tow truck was there. She was 100% FINE...thank goodness. The CTS w/ all-wheel drive is SAFE, handles great in all four seasons, handles well, and (frankly) is a conversation piece among friends. Love it.

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  2011 CTS Premium AWD is an excellent ride - 2011 Cadillac CTS
  By js2011 - December 24 - 11:51 am

  I purchased the 2011 CTS Premium AWD in October 2011 in lieu of the 2011 BMW 535xi. Although the Edmunds reviews are rather critical of the CTS, I found the ride extremely comfortable and the handling very nimble for normal driving (I dont take curves at 80 mph). The fit and finish in this car is exceptional. The top of the line Premium AWD has every conceivable option that a car enthusiast could want. My opinion of Cadillac has certainly changed for the better. With 306 horsepower, the car does not lack for acceleration.

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  Outstanding! - 2010 Cadillac DTS
  By idaspaceman - December 22 - 10:25 pm

  I test drove the Lincoln MKS, Buick Lacrosse, Lucerne, and the Lexus E350. Hands down the DTS was a superior engine and ride., and luxury items to either be on par or superior. Everyone will have pros and cons...but at the end of the day it was an easy decision for me. I know there will be some who will say its a Grandpa vehicle...call me old, but there is nothing like the ride and luxury of a Caddy.