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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  Cause Now Its Gone - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By Do the Happy Dance - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Compared to my 1st two Cadillacs, they should be ashamed - not for experimenting, but for not admitting their failure and offering to buy them back. I thought Cadillac had more class than that. Major recalls. Broken A/C valve and vacuum connection, and loose battery cables at 3500 miles. Steering wheel not centered - awkward for driving. Steering wheel squeaked in cold. At 15500 miles, broken coolant valve and bald tires. Custom cloth top was ruined by Cadillac make-ready guy because he didnt know what he was doing. Back seat rattled. Suction noice when heater was on. Bad window seals. Burnt headlight at 10000 miles. Would die when turning corners.

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  great vehicle for northern winters - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By loricoll - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive been very pleased with the AWD feature of my Escalade. It handles very well in deep snow and corrects itself quickly when driving on icy roads. Overall GREAT vehicle to drive in the northern climate.

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  Extras, Good and Bad - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By RobinClem - February 5 - 12:40 pm

  The 2005 Cadillac SRX is a lovely car and lots of fun to drive. Do not, however, get the third seat unless you regularly transport children. it is not good for adults, and the alternate, lots of nifty little hampers, is very welcome. Cadillac will practically give you the car if you dont want the sun roof, so think that over. (Its awesome, however, for those that like sun roofs.) After six months, I may have used the navigation system three times, all in the first two weeks. For us, OnStar is a must, and we actually used it in an emergency.

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  Great Car!!!!! - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Scarab - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe what Im reading in those other reviews. I have driven this car over 50,000 miles and NEVER had a problem. It is fun to drive, fast, handles great, looks great, is comfortable, and a pleasure to own. I think this car is an incredible value. I saw some in Europe not long ago and the people I talked to just loved them. Ive also know other peolpe here in the states that have owned them and also loved them. I suppose any manufacturer can make a few lemons, and clearly those are represented below. Ive never personally met anyone who did not like this car after owning one. Overall this car is fantastic and a great deal!

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  Escalemmon - 1999 Cadillac Escalade
  By bakerrw - February 5 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle was bought used with only 19000 miles - now, at 40k the bottom has fallen out. The truck has been in the shop no less than 9 times with drive train related failure (t/m, t/c, etc.).

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  Best of all..........its a Cadillac - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By Pauley Walnuts - February 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Cadillac from a Jaguar/BMW/Mercedes Dealer on a trade from a little old lady who bought a new Jaguar convertible. Of course, the dealership didnt want an American car so I got it for a steal. Ive owned Fleetwoods, Sevilles, Lincoln Town Cars, Continentals and Mercedes coupes and this is the best all around vehicle that Ive owned/driven. Maintenance is very low. Other than tires, a battery, brakes and a minor exhaust job, I have had no problems. Change the oil every 3K and youll get about 22 mpg on the hiway, average about 20. Not bad for a high end luxury ride with a 4.9L engine.

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  I love it - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By jonbear - February 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had two infinitis prior to this deville and this car is so much more comfortable and substantial.

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  american made/built quality??????? - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By dmscuba - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Traded my 96 STS for the 99 with 27000 mi. Lost room in the back seat and trunk. Lost 6 mpgal in fuel economy. Keys dont work on seat memory, exterior trim falls off, console cover fell off, power port cover fell off, seat belt unit came off, rear seat pass through not working. Ride is not quality. Dealership blames the tires, says they will replace them but it wont help, need to get a different brand. Shimmies at 62mph. This is probably my last Cadillac imports offer better quality.

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  I Love It - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Eagle - January 31 - 10:50 pm

  I had a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. My new 2005 Cadillac SRX is so fun to drive! It gets pretty darn good gas mileage, but who cares when it is so fun to drive. Getting in takes a little getting used to, because of the wide threshold. I love the Bose sound system. The wood trim is beautiful (I am not so fond of the black dash). Overall, this is one of the best vehicles that Ive owned.

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  My first Cadillac - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By imint213 - January 30 - 3:18 am

  We sold our Lexus GX470 and chose to buy a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Gas mileage is great and love the features. I would never buy new, so we got a great deal. Ride is great for being on a truck chassis. I have missed the truck feel. You do have to adjust for your braking distance, but theres a safety advantage to driving a heavy SUV.