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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  Im Disappointed in Cadillac and Sewell - 2011 Cadillac SRX
  By dallasfarmboy - December 14 - 9:45 pm

  We purchased a new 2010 SRX almost 9 months ago and it has 6,000 miles on it. First, the gas cap is directly over the right rear tire which forces the gas tube to run parallel to the ground. This causes almost any gas pump nozzle to constantly stop or fall out, so you have to hold the dirty nozzle the entire time. Despite many complaints from many buyers, GM and Sewell resolve this issue with a letter to complainants telling them they dont know how to fill their car. The other issue is a slushing sound in the gas tank. This is very annoying and sounds like a lead ball rolling around in the back. The visibility, long hood, and sluggish and jumpy acceleration are also poor.

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  This Vehicle Might Become Your Casket - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By nothappy2010 - December 14 - 11:38 am

  My Navy son was involved in a serious 5 car collision involving my 2005 CTS. The AT-FAULT driver hit my son from the rear, causing him to hit 3 more cars. ALL safety features failed, causing injuries to my son. NONE of the airbags inflated and the seat belt failed to restrain my son. General Motors will not return emails and/or calls-after spending countless hours with my car. They are skirting the accident, which is why I filed a formal complaint with the Consumer Safety Division. Now GM will be required to supply my family with answers. Had my son been hit a mere 10mph faster - he may have suffered severe injury, maybe even death! Thank God he is okay.

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  great purchase - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By nsosure - December 12 - 12:01 am

  I bought this car with 78 thousand miles on it. Everything is working great on it and it rides smooth. It has the power to get up and go in a seconds notice. I didnt realize how big it really was till I sat in the backseat. Smooth Cadillac ride and lots of power. Gas mileage is pretty decent, better than I expected. My mom owns a 2006 impala and the deville has all the features the impala does and more even being as old as it is. No regrets buying this car. I plan to buy another.

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  Vehicle Hesitation - 2010 Cadillac CTS
  By Anonymous - December 8 - 2:00 am

  At slow speed especially when engine is cold the engine skipps and the transmission shifts eradically. The engine also hesitates at high speed when accelerating to pass other vehicles creating an unsafe situation.

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  2000 Cadillac DTS White Diamond 300Hp - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By maxrayruss - December 7 - 8:48 pm

  I purchased this beauty on ebay with 100,000 miles and the car was a super clean Sarasota, Fla car. It has all options and is an eye catcher. I first had to replace the tork converter sensor at 128,000 miles $980 and at 168,000 getting an occasional tork sensor code again but the light goes out and mileage is great. Replaced the left front wheel hub at 105,000 miles and the right is near ready to be replaced. The steering wheel programing is in need of fixing because the wheel dont move up on exit but down. The CD player rejects and gives an alarm code. The dash cover rolled up on the edges which is common on those models but was simple to repair with adhesive and replace. Love the car

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  A Positive Review of Cad DHS - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:28 am

  Overall its been a fantastic machine. Very easy to drive,comfortable and smooth. Only thing that has broken three times were the window racks that hold the glass panels. Replaced under warranty but still, shouldnt be that fragile or poorly engineered. The gas mileage is unbelievable(18 city/26 hwy) for a car that size. This car will last me a long time and gives me great pleasure in owning and driving.

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  A Great Car - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:26 am

  I have had this car 7 years, purchased new. I have had very few problems, none major. The only annoying problem is that the car has always vibrated at about 70mph. No one has been able to discover why it does this. Other than that, no complains. We have driven this car on several vacations with 700 800 miles per day. No sweat. Gas mileage is very close to EPA rating both in town and on the highway, usually 18-20 city and 24-26 highway (EPA is 18/27). The 4 valve per cylinder engine lacks good low end torque as does every such engine like this that I have driven. But, if you want to go, hang on. Comfortable, classy, reliable. What else could you want?

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  The Best Of The Best - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:20 am

  This car has major heat and comfort and ride is A-1. Everything about this car is great.

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  A V8 Gem - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:19 am

  This car has been extremely reliable and has required minimum maintenance over the years. MPG on the highway is still 25-26 driving the speed limit of 70 mph. Great car that Im counting on reaching 250,000 miles using Mobil 1 5W30 motor oil and changing it every 3000 miles.

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  No quality in some systems - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Anonymous - December 6 - 6:12 am

  Bought this practically new 25,000miles car from my neighbor and thought that being a $50,000 Cadillac, it would be a wothwhile opportunity. Wrong! In less than 5,000 miles and 8 months since bought, I have had to replace each front window mechanisms twice. The SS cable just lets go of the support bracket although its new. Too wide turning radius, no U turns allowed without backing up. The A/C works well but it showers the occupants with a black greasy foam which has damaged the carpet, seats and occupant clothing. Impossible to remove cleanly and very costly to repair. Too plastic int. As stated to the dealer, this is supposed to be a $50K car and the features do not justify cost.