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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  Dynomite Truck, but... - 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By winterhawk - June 5 - 5:13 pm

  I bought this truck just before Thanksgiving after haggling with the uncooperative dealer for a month. It was well worth the wait. It has superb styling and comfort, beautiful Diamond White paint, 22" wheels and best of all NO sunroof! The Escalade EXT has excellent power and great handling for a truck, but terrible fuel economy. Also, the lack of interior storage space is disappointing, it does not even have a sunglasses holder like my Suburbans had. The console storage is very limited and anything stored in the top part is dumped around every time the lower console is accessed. It has a great instrument panel layout. The heated/cooled seats are very comfortable. I love the heat for my sore old back! This truck has superb headlights and driving lights.

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  From Catera to CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By dvc - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Weve owned the two Catera models preceeding the CTS. These were good cars and real bargains. So we looked forward to leasing or buying the 03 CTS. Its been totally reliable, a pleasure to drive in city and on the highway. And what an eye-catcher! We have never had a car that has garnered so much favorable comment from young kids and oldsters alike. The price alone makes this vehicle a great bargain and well worth the attention of people interested in a mid-size luxury sedan.

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  Bucket - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By robert135 - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Since day one the Caddillac has been nothing but lacking. I would not recommend it.

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  fun to drive - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By tjh - June 5 - 2:00 am

  My 3 year lease is up this month. Will miss driving the Catera. Sporty drive from a solid car. Drove 35,000 miles during the lease. Warranty covered everything except oil change and tire rotation. Had a tire go bad and it was replaced at no cost. It is better than the 300 series BMW, but not quite up to the 500 series. We really snjoyed the drive, but not willing to pay the price GM is now asking to buy the car.

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  2WD NOT A CADILLAC RIDE - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Guerry - June 4 - 2:00 am

  2WD different suspension than 4wd -- YOU FEEL EVERY bump-- and 2wd indistinguisable from 4wd -- we test drove a 4wd and were told it was a 2WD- 4wD a wonderful vehicle- One cannot get past call center people to talk to Cadillac -- We could not get a fair deal to upgrade to 4WD -- to correct what is an obvious CADILLAC problem

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  Too little too late - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By Jenken - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Brakes replaced at 15,000 miles = $400+. Several warranty items replaced. Gas tank must be 5 gallons or else this is the thirstiest car Ive ever owned. Poor engine/transmission match the car wants to shift long before it should to maximize torque. As such the thing is SLOW. Fit and finish is sub-par for a $35,000+ vehicle. My lease is done soon and I will not consider the new CTS. Caddy may have done a lot to upgrade the new car, but Ive already been turned off for good.

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  Superb car !!! - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By Rob Schulz - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I drive this car for 2 years now and its absolutely FANTASTIC !!! Never had any trouble with it. Comfort, ergonomics, drive: SUPER !!! I want to keep driving it for at least another 3 years

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  Love My STS - 1993 Cadillac Seville
  By David Selby - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchase my STS in Sept. 98. It had 93,000 mile now has 153,000 miles. I did the first tuneup at 120,000 miles. I have always followed the dealer service recommendations ( except the tuneup, the car was running greatbut got a little rough at 120K so did the tuneup) They are not cheap. Replaced the radiator at 140,000 miles. Other than that all other repairs were normal maintenance. Great car. I plan on purchasing another this fall.

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  Best I have Had - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By VANBEN - June 1 - 2:00 am

  This is the second DeVille I have owned which was a 1995 a great car,this one I like even better whith all the new features like On Star and now you can use regular gas,it runs and drives like a dream and the heated seats are great on a cold morning.

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  1st Caddy - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Jerico - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Bought my first Cadillac, the 2004 CTS. Got the big 6 and I just love it. Lots of power and speed, its almost too quick, in passing it will get to 90+ before you know it and it feels so good at that speed you dont want to slow down. I have had 43 cars in my 47 years of driving and this is by far the very best. I drove the BMW, Volvo R and several others before I bought and I liked the CTS best. Its size made the difference over the BMW. Lots more room. And it will outrun it. Cant say anything bad about it yet!!!