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 - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By tony519 - June 10 - 2:00 am

  cant beat its ride and performance . roof is unbealeveable ...

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  eas - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By tenmark262 - June 8 - 8:44 pm

  I LOVE this car. Had one other and an Impala SS and Buick Roadmaster Wagon (same b-body platform). Detuned LT1 (0-60 in 8.5 secs) is easy on gas (18/20 city and 22/24 highway)and very reliable. Truthfully, the car will fall apart around the engine and transmission. Some designed-in ergonomic/interior fascia flaws but with bone yards ripe with these cars youve got plenty of cheap replacement parts at the ready. If youre looking for a reliable floaty boaty car, this it it. Tomorrows collector car, for sure. But then again, how popular are 55 Cadillacs today?

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  Not For Me - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By 2005 STS - June 4 - 1:34 pm

  The STS is a sleek, stylish car, but difficult to drive. There are too many complications such as not being able to see out of the back window, when anyone else drives it i.e. my husband, the rear view mirror change direction, but do not change back when I drive, also the radio automatically changes to another station or the disc changes. I do not like not having a key and I do not like the door locks, just to name a few.

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  So Sad for Cadillac - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Kimberly - June 4 - 9:28 am

  Bought this car used for my daughter. HUGE mistake, looks are deceiving! It wasnt enough that the salesman saw us coming and I paid nearly $3000 for what the car was worth, Ive put so much money into repairs that I could have bought myself a BMW! Two months after owning it, the trans went, then a sensor that controls the gears, then the whole dash went out, brake lights which was electrical. It was $850 for a tune up, a hose that cost $700, several electrical problem, too many to mention. I am now selling it, really cheap!!!!! And yes, Ive lost money on this car big time!

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  Sold on Seville - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By Mark G - June 3 - 11:03 am

  Excellent car overall. Had a little trouble with computers at first, but the dealer backed it 100%. It really turns heads going down the street! Lots of power but could have higher fuel economy.

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  2004 3.6 cts cadillac sedan - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By paul selby - June 2 - 1:30 am

  the cts with the 3.6 engine has the best engine, trans mission combination I have ever driven. the 4 wheel disk brakes,and nemble handling, make it a very fun car to drive.

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  good purchase - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By pj - May 31 - 12:52 pm

  I have owned this car for over 2yrs and couldnt ask for a better vehicle. It has all the bells & whistles and very comfortable & great reliability. a truly great ride and decent gas mileage. i would purchase another in the future

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  Money pit - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By jJason - May 27 - 1:19 pm

  I bought this car with 35,000 miles and have had it for about 7 yrs. Ive sunk so much money into, with having to repair and just general maintenance, because everything on it is so expensive. Its a wonder I never got rid of it and now I almost cant afford to. Ive had to replace the engine after it blew, the A/C and it still has problems, the cooling system because it was getting oil in it.

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  My SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By jra5543 - May 24 - 10:05 pm

  Have not been pleased with this Cadillac. I had never owned a General Motors product and I can truthfully this will be the last one. Compared to the 8 Fords I have owned (and driven over 100K each) there is no comparison to GM. I will be going back to Ford. The transmission is extremely rough shifting at lower speeds - normal says the dealer. It uses a QT of oil every 1000 miles - no leaks says the dealer. The check engine light goes off and on but the dealer cant find out why. The air pressure senors on the rear tell me both tires are flat after one hour on the road - not even going to ask the dealer to try to fix that.

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  Lots of small problems! - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By Lomcc - May 24 - 10:15 am

  I leased this car almost a year ago because I could get a great lease deal and liked the styling. The engine and transmission are the best features on this car. It rides extremely well and has lots of power! The problem is in the details. The Bluetooth is a joke. Our BMW works light years better. The navigation system interface was poorly designed. It is confusing much harder to use than any other I have tried. There has already been one recall, plus a loose metal piece that had to replaced in the trunk, plus a non- working Homelink garage opener, plus lack of good steering wheel controls. For the same price, you could get a BMW that is MUCH better!