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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  ergonomics - 2016 Cadillac CT6
  By Bill - January 23 - 12:47 pm

  Vent ducts in dash / front seat area are positioned too low in dash. Air does not circulate into upper areas of front cabin. Very poor circulation. There is no storage area in dash only small console. Cup holders in front console are poorly positioned and too small to hold a coffee mug. Q system is very cumbersome to use. like the large screen Car has beautiful exterior styling. Ours is Passion Red with a silver metallic body pin stripe. A real eye turner. We get lots of complements. It is the quietest car we have ever driven. Very smooth with good handling. Lane control safety feature works really well. This car replaced a 2008 CTS which we liked.

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  Enjoying My Wifes SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Bill - January 22 - 2:06 pm

  I am used to peppy cars as the car that I turned in was a Cadillac STS, point being is that the 265 Hp Cadillac SRX provides me with all the pep I need. To top this off it is fueled with regular gas. It also gets good gas mileage on trips and around town. I truly enjoy driving this attention getting vehicle. Lexus and Mercedes-Benz people are always examining it wherever I drive. It is dolled up very nicely with pearl white paint and gold striping. I added a set of chrome wheels later on. The origial wheels looked almost plastic, very distasteful. However our salesman suggested we have the original ones chrome plated, well that was the iceing on the cake. Now you know why I enjoy driving my wifes SRX.

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  Just What I Was Looking For - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By PeterP - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Wanted a good, clean, used, hi- performance luxury car without paying Merc/BMW/Lexus prices. This car fits the bill and more. Very comfortable and fun to drive. Solid as a rock.

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  Better Wood Would Be Good - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By MrRoadRage187 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought my STS in Nov. Super smooth ride , I will only buy a car with a V8 engine or larger...I like the 300HP ....The way it handles is great...(got me out of more then one sticky situtation)...But cornering could be better.....I like it better then the 1999 E-Class and I dont even consider BMWs.....The wood in the interior could be improved....and I need to buy a new fan for the drivers side heating system....Other then that Iam thrilled.....$53,000 NEW....Paid $26K...1999 is 99% identical to 2003 Model

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  99 deville concourse - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Glenn Smith - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is a dream! Rides like a big car, handles like a mid-size. Great engine,...never a problem.

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  Replace car before Timing belt gets you - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By TheeWhitehouse - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Yes a great driver but unscheduled repairs will double the cost of ownership. With less than 35K miles, this car has had the following problems. Failed ignition coil, lost break lights twice, once was all the lights the other was just the $360 one on the truck. $230 wheel speed indicator to TCS/ABS. $2600, yes $2600 to repair/replace timing belt/tensionor and associtated damages. Ask Your Deaaler about it and pick out another car while you are there!!! Driver door leaks air and is annoying at highway speeds.

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  Excellent - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Thunda7 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Best car I have ever driven. I ve had two BMW"S and a Chrysler 300m but those cars are nothing compared to the Cadillac.

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  TOP DOG!!! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By rizzo26 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  GREAT VEHICLE... caddy does it again

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  woooow - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By William G. Jonison - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Best car I have ever owned by any method of comparision. This is a real sports car, very high proformance package, very solid, only possible add would be a six speed stick. (maybe next year)

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  Staci - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Stazi - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I just love it