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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  Great Car! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Michael - October 6 - 2:00 am

  After 2 and half years of great driving we still love this car. We love car trips and the CTS consistently gets 26-28 mpg (it will get 30+ if you drive a constant 55-60) but I dont! Its comfortable but when you get to some corners it is great. No problems either.

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  Cadillac does not repair problems - 2010 Cadillac DTS
  By new mks owner - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I had a 2009 Cadillac DTS and the driver side windshield washer would not wet down the upper windshield and deposited the water in bulk right in front of the driver view through the windshield. The passenger side washer/wiper worked perfectly. Cadillacs replaced two wiper arms to no avail. I reported this to Cadillac and in 6 months I was told an engineer would call me. still waiting after the case was closed twice and reopened. I test 6 new 09 and 2010 DTS Cadillac and they all do not work . Traded the Cadillac DTS for a Lincoln MKs. got three time more features, more luxury and a better driving automobile. no more Cadillacs in my garage.

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  Transfer Case and Head Light Problems - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Charity - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I have had the head light in my Cadillac fixed twice now its time for my inspection and they say I have to pay to get it fixed again. I think its a defect cause the first time I had it fixed at the Cadillac GMC dealership. Also my transfer case is messed up when I take off it makes a thud sound. Anyone know how much it cost to fix a transfer case. Stability system light has been since five months after buying the car.

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  Exceeds my expectations! - 2010 Cadillac CTS
  By jeff - September 29 - 2:00 am

  i can see why the CTS was "motor trends" car of the year for 2008. ive owned mine for about 3 months and have 2500 miles on the odo. so far the car has exceeded my expectations. the 6 speed automatic is silky smooth with the 3.0 liter producing plenty of power - acceleration is quick and smooth. the ride is a bit stiffer than my 2004 Chrysler Concorde limited but yet smooth and controlled. i like the ride and appreciate the quietness. the exterior and interior styling and workmanship are superior - just what a Cadillac should be. the variable assist power steering is spot on. and its nice to get back to a rear wheel drive after several decades of front wheel drive. so far so good!

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  World class - 2011 Cadillac CTS
  By eddie - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Better than most Japanese and German sedans in its class in terms of design, features and value. many useful and well thought functions. beautiful inside and out. paid $3500 less than window sticker plus top trade in price. got a lot compliment for the pearl white paint

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  SRX - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By DAARON - September 26 - 2:00 am

  Nice ride, for a short wheel base has a very smooth ride. The V6 has plenty on get up and go, but it doesnt have the power to keep it at a 70 mph run.Hardly ever is in 5th gear. If you watch the rpm you will notice an increase and still running 60 or 70 . thats why the fuel economy is so poor. I get about 21.5 hwy.But Ill pay the price for the ride and reliability

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  A different story - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Glenn - September 26 - 2:00 am

  This is my second of the new restyled SRXs and my 5th new Cadillac. I have to say that I am a bit disappointed with the ride comfort as it is a bit harsh over bumps. When compared to others in its class it is fully an equal, but I expect more from a Cadillac ride and am disappointed every time I feel the bumps and grind. In my first (a 2010) I had the 2.8 turbo AWD because I wanted the power. I hated the turbo lag however. On my second (a 2011) I have the 3.0 AWD and the power is a bit lackluster but I am not planing to drive it in rally races. It joins interstate traffic safely and performs more than acceptably around town. I love everything else about the car and I demand a lot.

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  Outstanding Car - 2010 Cadillac STS
  By Jim - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Diamond White Platinum Series STS. It is an outstanding car: exceedingly comfortable quick response OUTSTANDING fuel economy (city 21 -highway 25+ at 80MPH!). Superb seating and sound system. Overly complicated navigation system as I do not find it to be intuitive – I liked Chrysler’s system much better. Voice Recognition software is problematic - but Im learning to deal with it - ticks me off though. The “CTS” navigation software is used in the STS, which results in technical glitches. So far Cadillac has not fixed this issue. Styling is strikingly stunning – it gets a LOT of looks. Road handling is outstanding. I feel very safe driving I’m very happy to drive this car.

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  Electrical Issues - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By seamoore - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Soon after purchase of this pre-owned Caddy, I noticed that the radio presets were lost, took in for service, "nothing wrong". Returned, said "internal error" AKA "we never looked!" Replaced the radio, Same problem after new radio installed. Returned back to dealership for 4th time when the windows were "stuck" half way open and no drivers side controls. Now they are going to replace the "unified switch body" and they say that this IS the problem. Well see? Frustrated that no one seems to be able to find the problem. Anyone else have this issue?

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  I love my SRX. - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Black On Black SRX - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Okay I love my SRX. I bought it just 5 months ago with 91k on it for trade in value! I cant believe i found a black on black and with the nice 18 in wheels and mine is the only one ive seen with SRX mudflaps on all for tires. I havent had much trouble with my caddy. it would jump when it idled so i took it in and just a cylinder was misfiring quick fix and my turn bulb had to be replaced. took it to a caddy dealer and they were horrible so i took it to a gmc dealer and they were great. ive put about 9k on it in the 5 months since i got it and i have to say is i only had about 1 quart of oil when i get it changed at 94k but you just have to watch ur oil. I Love My SRX nothing drives better