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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  Classy car decent prices on preowned - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By NateC - September 27 - 11:10 am

  Owned the car for about 6 months. No problems or fixes as of yet. Pretty good power for a V6. Considering K&N Intake. Smooth ride and great handling.

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  I think I have a lemon - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By G Franzen - September 25 - 8:33 pm

  I love the comfort of my car, however with less than 30,000 miles I have had very expensive repairs that should never have happened. Three of the four window chains have broken and all have needed to be replaced (very expensive.) The air injection pump needed to be replaced. There was a horrific odor coming through my ventilation system, then was told I had bacteria in the lines. This needed to be disinfected. The plexi- glass over the speedometer is all streaked (I have no idea) how that could have happened. My engine motor mounts are loose, and, of course, none of these items were or are under warranty and as far as I can tell, none of these items have been recalled.

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  2009 Cadillac Escalade AWD Platinum - 2009 Cadillac Escalade
  By Matthew - September 19 - 11:37 pm

  I stepped inside GMs full-size super luxury SUV, and I was immediately enveloped in luxury. With so many standard features like a voice- activated Navigation system, DVD entertainment system, a heated leather wrapped steering wheel with radio and climate controls, heated and cooled front and 2nd row seats, bucket seats, a universal garage door opener, and SO much more, this car will easily destroy competitors like the Lexus LX570 and Land Rover Range Rover, in luxury. The Honda Civic Sedan gets to 60mph in 11.3, this Escalade Platinum gets to 60 mph in 6.1 thats pretty impressive for any car and very impressive for a large SUV. Cadillac has done a SUPERB job on this model, and I love it.

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  My First Car "What a Beauty" - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By ElCubanazo429 - September 19 - 10:26 pm

  This car my family has had it since we bought it in 2004. About a week ago my parents gave it to me with 55,000 miles and it drives great. My experience with this car mechanically has been great no problems have appeared. Beautiful car, power, and workmanship. Great Job Cadillac! P.S. For me those foreign cars are no good, American muscle for me. God Bless

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  Problems after warranty - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Problems with 2005 - September 18 - 11:21 am

  I loved my SRX 2005 until recently. I had a seat belt break. The laminant on the dash is peeling off. My sunroof rattles, and now I have water in the back compartment under the third seat which has caused my headrests to mildew and also my 3rd seat has some mildew areas. It has been a major inconvenience to find where it is leaking from. Ive read other reviews and on the 2004 model a few customers have had leaks under their 3rd seats from the sunroof. Has this been a problem for others. Maybe this is something Cadillac should look in to. Maybe there should be a recall on this problem before others have to deal with it.

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  Beware - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Sara - September 17 - 11:56 am

  Car is a definite eye catcher. Major problems since 50,000 miles. I now have 112,000 miles and looking for new car. Past winter problems with heat coming in on one side and not the other. Was in shop 7 weeks in 2 months time and still not fixed. Continuous computer problems with Heat digital knobs on dash. Engine leaked oil had it towed 3 x after $4,000 out of pocket expense from the engine gaskets busted etc.If you do not drive much probably ok to have for a while I average over 20,000 miles a year or more due to my job not recommended unless you have money to spend on costly repairs.

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  Comments & Suggestions - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By SRX OWNER - September 15 - 2:00 am

  First, I love this car. Ride, handling and comfort are excellent. Navigations system is first rate and easy to use. It could stand some improvements. Why is there no glove box light or underhood light? Why is there no lumbar support or telescoping steering wheel in a fine car of this caliber?

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  Not what I expected from Cadillac - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By BillF - September 13 - 3:11 am

  My first and last Cadillac. Love the car but have had problems with it since it hit 10K miles (rear end 3 times, computer once, electrical and now fuel pump problems) Last experience it left me stranded (fuel sensor). Dealer didnÂ’t do something right and had a major fuel leak after picking it up. Cadillac will not stand behind the car and I canÂ’t even find the next higher person to talk to (Regional manager will not talk directly. Have to go through customer service and they will not give any information). Very disappointed and will never buy another one. And they wonder why the imports have taken over the market.

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  Old School Style - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By big dog - September 11 - 10:20 pm

  I found this car with less than 40K miles. Its old school style,a true cruiser. The V-8 power is great. Brakes and handling - NOT. A very comfortable and safe ride w/ style. If you can get one with under 80K miles its a steal. Just realize its a classic 1993 Cadillac.

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  Jury still out - getting concerned - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Steve - September 11 - 4:38 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in February right off the showroom floor. Great fun to drive, sharp looks. I wanted the wood trim interior and the large sunroof. The car is very smooth on the road and handles well since it is rear wheel drive. Interior space is a bit tight. Storage cubbyholes and trunk space are spare. Quality issues have come up. Two weeks after the purchase the steering went out (fluid leak around the rack) - that was in the shop for two more weeks getting fixed (free loaner, thankfully). Just today the radio went out. I have the high end radio (no nav) with the 40 GB HD. The radio now only picks up AM intermittently. I am a little worried and even considering trading.