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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  CTS ! What a fun car to drive!!! Wow ! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Dr. M.A. Sharpe - January 29 - 10:00 am

  This is definately not your grandpas Caddy! This is the most fun car Ive yet to own. I got all the goodies, but with the 5 speed. Great choice! Much better feeling of control than the Lexus 3-series, BMW 5-series, and Mercedes 2-series, all of which Ive had. This is the first Cadillac Ive owned, and I promise Ill be back for more. Very impressive, great design, nice sport/luxury feel. TURNS HEADS EVERYWHERE !! Only complaint is foot parking brake, instead of a hand brake. Too many moves to get brake on and in 1st or reverse to park. GM should fire the guy who designed that, but everybody else gets a 50% raise, and a company car...

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  The Revs Caddy - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By Jack White - January 28 - 2:00 am

  Overall My Cadillac has been a very good car the only thing Ive had to purchase was struts(120,000)miles. The cars are very fast.Ive had my (CONCOURS) up to 138 mph and was still pulling before I took my foot out of it. (The car runs like a scalded dawg)

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  Not so good review - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Don Valk - January 28 - 2:00 am

  Knocking in engine, at times very loud. Had to decarbon engine at 11000 miles. The problem has reoccured. Uses 3 quarts of oil every 2000 miles. Dealer said this is about normal???? I have owned quite a few Cads, never had this engine problem. I feel dealer has not addressed this problem in a serious manner. Other than that the car is fine.

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  In shop more than driveway - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By SUV Guy - January 28 - 2:00 am

  Received the Escalade a couple weeks ago and it has been one problem after another. Mostly Electrical issues, but now the engine is making unusual noises. I had a Navigator, but traded in. Wish I had not. I think Im going back to the Navigator.

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  Dont Purchase a Cadillac CTS - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By carol cosentino - January 27 - 12:46 pm

  My 2005 Cadillac CTS looks great, but has a terrible ride. Going over a bump, the car shimmies and has bad tire bounce. The back seat is very uncomfortable due to the bouncing. I took it back to the dealer and was told that this is how the car rides, it has a sporty ride. Someone should have told us this before we purchased it. We cannot take it on long trips, it is too uncomfortable. Our Toyota Camry rides much better, for much less money. Also, Ive had to replace the passenger rear tire twice due to flats. People have gotten into the car and asked if it has shocks. I test drove the car before purchaseing it and it did not ride like the one we bought.

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  Power , Luxury and Reliability - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By georgebuy - January 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used when it had only 44,000 miles on it. It now has about 81,000 miles and the only expenses I have incurred are a battery, tires and a drivers side window motor. All electronics work well. Wow!! the Bose system is fantastic and the gas mileage is incredible 18 around town and 28 on the highway. I would definitely own another.

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  What was I thinking? - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By nterneta - January 27 - 2:00 am

  The Catera provided the image but the issues were driving me nuts. The glove compartment pops open if the temp is below 12 degrees. The auto cup holder stick, the ignition key always stick. I had a hollering match with the owners of the dealership over the tire thread damage on the drivers side. They said it was normal wear and tear. Replace a battery, the steering column leakage caused car to lock up and I was stranded for hours waiting for roadside. Error lights are always on. Im taking things very well but today is my last day with it and look forward to something less classy and more fun. PT Cruiser, here I come baby!

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  CTS 08 Could Save GM! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Joseph Timlak - January 25 - 4:33 pm

  They finally woke up after 20 years in Detroit! CTS 300HP 6 Cylinder is an outstanding engine. Good power throughout, with better than expected MPG at 22MPG combined on CTS computer system. Seats and ride are absolutely above BMW and Mercedes. For the money this is an unbelievable buy! This car is outstanding, Congratulations to GM Detroit, they still have some talent left in those hallways!

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  AMAZING!!! - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By irun25 - January 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is so amazing!

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  SOLID, BUT NOT GREAT - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By gilli - January 25 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2002 DTS, its a solid performer. Easily the best american car made. A lot of features for the money when compared to foreign cars. I would buy this car again.