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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  A world-class offering from Cadillac - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By RandyL - August 26 - 5:10 pm

  Given all of the incentives to purchase a new car, I decided to replace my 02 V6 Honda Accord EX, a fine car that I found to be extremely boring. When I read the reviews of the new CTS I was impressed. When I drove the car I was even more so. Now, after 9K miles I am comfortable in saying that it is everything I expected it to be. It is truly a world-class car, and GM & Cadillac should be justifiably proud. They have produced a distinctively American entry level luxury sedan with performance, style, and quality. There is no reason to add the phrase "for an American car" when comparing it to Euro or Japanese competitors. Its vehicles like the CTS that are critical to GMs recovery.

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  MY CADDY - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Jaime Cruz - August 25 - 5:45 am

  I have bought this car last year. It is fun to drive and has good acceleration, save me gas. The only thing I ahve done to it is is fix the fuel pressure other than that just its regular oil change. This is the best car I had have in my whole life its smooth driving all the way. If I would of traded I will traded for a newer model, but I dont think I will sell it its my baby and I love it all the way.

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  Incredible Car! - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Caddygirl - August 24 - 11:08 pm

  The Cadillac CTS is very comfortable, has power when you need it and has an overall sexy appearance. I have been quickly sold on Cadillac since purchasing this vehicle. I bought my Cadillac CTS with 32,000 miles on it. It was a leased vehicle and I purchased it as a certified pre- owned. The heated leather seats, wood trimmed steering/console and plush pile carpeting add a luxurious coponent to the superb handling. My only complaint is the plastic grill on the front but I believe they have addressed this in the 2008 and 2009 models. As they say on the commercial...."when you turn your car on does it return the favor?"...the answer is a resounding YES! I LOVE THIS CAR!

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  POWERFUL - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By BIG E - August 24 - 4:50 pm

  Ive owned the car for a year and it now as 136000 miles on it. I have had repairs consisting of water pump, heater core, and a/c compressor but I am not displeased. With these type of miles youll have to replace something eventually. Replacing a heater core is so simple and takes about 2 hours to complete. The comfort is another impression of what Cadillac has been know for. It is truly hard to believe with its features, this is a 15 year old car. Very happy!

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  Life with our XTS Cadillac is a beautiful thing. - 2016 Cadillac XTS
  By big dawg - August 22 - 4:30 am

  Look for what you get for the money. The XTS has a elegant appearance, it is large and comfortable thru out. Performance is every good, just drive one and note the fine brakes, steering and ride. The warranty is excellent and Cadillac dealers are not difficult to fined. If you cant fined a Cadillac service center there are GM dealerships everywhere. This car has a lot to love. Why buy a German car that cost twice as much?

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  what a rush - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By ken - August 18 - 8:19 pm

  I could not believe the power that the northstar has. wanted one in 1994 but list was 63000.00. patiently waited and picked one up for 1800.00 in 2009. Could only imagine how the ride was when new.

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  Escalade, another Year, another Homerun - 2009 Cadillac Escalade
  By Doug - August 18 - 12:35 pm

  This is my second Escalade and I continue to be impressed. Ive owned several luxury SUVs and the 2009 Escalade is an overall more enjoyable vehicle. We currently also own a Mercedes ML500, the Escalade doesnt handle quite as well on cornering but otherwise the Escalade out performs and is everything you could ask for and more. It is very well equipped from a luxury perspective, again comparing it to the ML500 the seats of the Escalade are comfortable but with the ML their are more adjustable areas of the seat so you can form it to your personal shape better. The navigation in the ML STINKS and the Escalade is a dream to use, view, etc - Nice job Cadillac.I actually have reached 19 MPG

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By G.B. - August 18 - 10:00 am

  I love it, Feels like a german car

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  mostly enjoyable - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By mostlyenjoyable - August 15 - 10:13 am

  For a big ride, this car gets amazing gas mileage (higher than its rated), and its comfort and performance have made it a keeper. Weve experienced electrical and sensor issues but luckily found an affordable mechanic as couldnt afford dealership. Has over 123K miles now and starting to use more oil (northstart engines typically use some) so looking to replace. Was also great in minor crash other vehicle was totaled didnt even break our cars headlight.

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  Perfect size - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By GRC - August 14 - 5:46 pm

  Having been the driver of Duallys, trucks and large SUVs over the last 20 years, I am delighted with the roomy compactness of the SRX. I still feel high enough up off the road to be comfortable, and I dont worry about an entire Honda Accord (or the like) being obscured & hidden in the blind spots as is the case with driving large SUVs. The SRX wheels into the smallest of parking spaces with as much ease as any small car. It handles effortlessly and is a pleasure to drive. Cadillac appears to still be King of Bells & Whistles.