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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  OUTSTANDING - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By MotownGuy_n_Denver - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Beats the competition hands down. Style, performance (a few more horses would be nice), and value.

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  Awesome Ride - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By Lee - July 30 - 11:30 am

  Purchased the car with less than 10k on it and have put nearly 75k on it since then. The comfort and power are exceptional, as is the gas mileage. At nearly 24-28mpg, there is not another comparable vehicle even made today. No outrageous problems or issues with anything. It still turns heads and blows doors off of "wannabees". Absolutely Awesome Ride. Hope to keep it another 10 years!

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  Lives Up to the Hype - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By BlockDaddy21 - July 27 - 8:15 pm

  With the automotive world giving such panegyrical reviews to this car, I figured it surely must be a ploy to get us to stimulate the economy and buy American. Prior to my 09 CTS, I owned a 2008 Acura TL Type-S that was my absolute favorite car. However, I drove the CTS, and it was all over. My 3.6 DI AWD is a real drivers car it gives great feedback to the driver, corners like its on rails, the brakes are phenomenal, and it has admirable throttle response. Not to mention great style! Overall build quality is great - no complaints in the first 7000 miles. I would recommend that anyone in the market check out the CTS among the typical mix of imports - youll be pleasantly surprised.

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  Amazing car! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Sibica - July 25 - 3:34 am

  This car has been incredible since owning it gets more looks and comments than any car Ive ever owned. Sure, the mileage isnt great, but I didnt buy this to save a few $ on fuel. Interior is SO quiet, build quality is fantastic, and its a pleasure to drive. In fact, my wife and I fight over who gets to drive it when we go out! We chose the black on black, which really sets the car off. Absolutely stunning to look at. With regards to comfort, Im 65" and have no worries in the drivers seat. Would suggest winter tires for the snow as it is rear drive, but otherwise not a problem. Would buy another one in a heartbeat. LOVE IT!

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  hehe - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By lanita - July 23 - 10:00 am

  this car is the boom

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  Great car great service - 2016 Cadillac Escalade
  By long zhang - July 22 - 7:12 pm

  got my caddy finally and satisfied with the dealer. comfort to drive. for spring break, fuel consumption is good below average peers(V4 V8 shifting).

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  ATS Varoom..... - 2016 Cadillac ATS-V
  By JML - July 22 - 6:19 pm

  I have owned several Corvettes... 4 BMWs... 2 of which were Ms and the ATS V is a superior machine in all aspects!

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  My Caddy - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By Adael - July 22 - 11:24 am

  We bought our Caddy a year and a half ago, it only had 64,000 miles on it. Now it is up to 80,000 and have not had to do much more than regular maintenance. We had to replace rear brake cylinders, the power steering line, and would like to replace the stereo system. The antenna no longer goes all the way back down & we only have one working speaker. Our mechanic has been hesitant to do a complete tune-up, so maybe taking it to a dealer would be a better idea.

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  Exceptional Car - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By ResearchDev - July 19 - 6:33 am

  Im a car buff who has raced cars and motorcycles, and have owned Mercedes, Jag, and Volvo. This CTS, with the Luxury Sport package, outclasses any European or Japanese car within range. The car is one more reason to buy American.

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  Dont sleep on this one ! - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By PMP - July 18 - 2:24 pm

  Bought used with 120k from a guy who didnt really keep up on the maintenance but I got her back to 100% in no time. Replaced the crank sensors (very common) I suggest you replace them before they go @ around 100k miles. Also replaced the cat (common as well) $300 so again not a big deal on a $53k car. The car uses about 2qts of oil every 3k miles which is common on northstars. Again not a big deal, just keep up on your oil changes. Ive owned alot of high end cars (audi,mercedes,jaguar,bmw) and must say this caddy is right up there with them ! I get compliments everywhere I go and its 8 yrs old ! Navigation is also easier to use than most factory units. Stop thinking go buy one !