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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  2008 CTS AWD 3.6DI - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Aaron - October 9 - 8:06 am

  After looking at several cars (BMW 330xi, Mercedes Benz C230 & Audi A4) we decided to go with a CTS4 as Ive been a Caddy fan for years. The 3.6L DI is exceptional, fun to drive and the overall build quality is something Im not used to from GM. There are several flaws in the vehicle that Im experiencing (minor) such as the express close moonroof doesnt actually close on its own and the steering has a light clicking when turning. One major disappointment for me comes not from the car, but from GM. Our nearest Cadillac dealership is 2.5 hrs away somewhat a nuisance when repairs are necessary, especially when we have about 4 GM dealers in the area.

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  2009 Cadillac XLR Platinum Roadster Conv - 2009 Cadillac XLR
  By lotsa cash - October 8 - 10:41 pm

  The XLR is my 5th Cadillac, priors were 2=SLS and 2=STS. I love this car and find the performance and handling to be equal to previous cadis and far surpassing the 2007 Corvette I traded- in. Ive received more complements on the car than all the others put together, its so amazing!

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Friend - October 7 - 12:32 pm

  I absolutely love this car and is considering replacing it with a newer CTS model.

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  Awesome and Rare Sport Edition - 2009 Cadillac SRX
  By 1treasurehunterdale - October 3 - 5:07 am

  I just read on a Cadillac forum there was just over 500 made of the specific SRX Im driving. I have the 2009 SRX V8 AWD Sport Package which is loaded with every option and has the 20" rims. It is also Black Cherry which is harder to find. Initially I was looking at an Escalade EXT but ended up with the SRX which I love. It handles great, looks good and is pretty comfortable. Everyone already knows the gas mileage sucks so if that is an issue this ride isnt for you. I know repair cost are not going to be cheap either, pretty ridiculous price for something as simple as a headlight. Overall Im happy but may step up to an EXT next just for more space.

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  Finalists were this and MKX - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By Tom B - October 1 - 9:05 pm

  Have been an Audi owner and drove Q5 and Q3, Lincoln MKC and MKX. Considered X3 but Ive never warmed up to BMW interiors. We loved the XT5 and now even more after having driven 1200 miles. Seats are great, back seat is too, cargo area is plenty big enough. Visibility is surprisingly good with strategic smaller side windows fore and aft. Rides great and we got 33 mpg on a drive to San Diego (per the computer). Got the Luxury trim level as the next steps was +$5k and didnt enthrall me. And dont need AWD in Southern California. Love the ride and the car. Very happy.

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  The Best Looking Crossover World Class - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By John - September 28 - 1:39 pm

  I love my new SRX. After checking out the Lexus RX350,Audi Q5 and the Mercedes GLK. I went with the Cadillac the navigation is the easiest and most advanced of all the ride and comfort fit and finish is world class and the design is artistic and seperates itself from the cookie cutter styles of its competition. Check out the Cadillac SRX you will also love the fact it is about $3000-$4000 less than other crossovers option for option

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  Great Ride - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Neal Wenner - September 28 - 7:29 am

  This car has been an excellent commuter car for me. It was a GM certified vehicle which came with an awesome warranty, the brake rotors were warped at 41,000 mi. and were replaced no questions asked, really the only issue I have had with this car. I love the ride and responsive handling for a big car, the getup and go is great, when it is in cruise control you are literally floating on the road. We have driven this car down south a few times and there is not too many nicer cars to take a trip in and it averaged pretty close to 27.5 mpg. The mileage is reduced to about 18mpg in town but I personally do not do alot of that. Great car.

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  Amazing car! Good job Cadillac!! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By CStradling24 - September 27 - 10:27 pm

  I am one of the biggest critics about everything. This car is nearly perfect. I am in my early 20s and usually people my age dont have cars like this. It was my dream car and met every expectation. I own the V8, fully loaded with absolute every feature besides AWD. It never gets old driving this car. When I bought it, the car was still under warranty and I had some small issues fixed without a problem. The performance of a car this heavy is nothing less than what you would expect from Cadillac. The interior looks great and very classy. I like how Cadillac did not go crazy with buttons, they kept it nice and simple.

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  Just like in the commercials - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Birce Ege - September 25 - 8:09 am

  Just picked up a Gold Mist with Shale interior yesterday. The design is really amazing, once i got in i felt like i was in an airplane cockpit. Spacious, comfy, luxury, all the switches ergonomically designed. Test drove a Lexus RX350 before and besides the fact that the SRX engine is slightly louder, id pick SRX hands down. Pick up not as bulky as i thought, panoramic sunroof makes the interior very bright when you uncover it. I thought id never pay for a navigation package in my life but i would highly recommend you opt for it, beautiful big screen, easy to use, touch screen. Leather trim is top notch, all the details nicely done. 265hp is enough despite reviews recommending the turbo.

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  the best - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Mc Guiness - September 23 - 10:00 am

  only the best. Caddy has just went above and beyond there name. The CTS with the sports package is the best car i have seen come form caddy in a long time. A real head turner