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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  Would not start - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Jerry G - April 11 - 4:29 pm

  Would not start AGAIN. This is the 3rd time since we bought it. It goes back to the dealer and on the 1st time he said we left something on. According to the owners manual everything is supposed to shut down after 10 minutes. 2nd time they could find nothing. They still have it for the 3rd. time today. It remains to be seen what the problem may or may not be. Also lots of luck calling 1 800 Cadillac to get it started. The first 2 times they sent a qualified starting service, not today. This guy was not equipped to start a car that was still in the garage.

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  4 month review: - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Lefty7 - April 11 - 1:27 pm

  After leasing a 99 Eldo, I leased an 02 Subaru Outback Legacy (LL Bean edition). Both vehicles were upscale for their class and had many great features. I looked for a quality used vehicle as I wanted to get away from premium fuel. I traded in my used 96 Seville which finally had too many miles for the SRX which runs on regular. Would have been a smart fuel move except for the poor mileage I am getting and rising fuel prices. Otherwise, I am very satisfied with this vehicles handling and ride. I purchased used as I am getting ready to retire and dont want big payments, but I miss the comfort of the Eldo (wish they still made them) and dont want a new vehicle with cheap seating.

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  I need a luxury coupe - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By ksu1974 - April 9 - 11:02 pm

  I bought a 2001 ESC with 52,000 miles and have put 20,000 trouble-free miles on it in 16 months. It uses regular fuel and I get 28 mpg on the highway. With a strong tailwind, I get 30 to 34. Pretty incredible for a V-8. And lots of power, good brakes. I had a Troféo with 300,000 + miles and the ESC was the best substitute I could find. Interior styling is not as luxurious as the Oldsmobile. But the power and mpg make up for it. Since their is no other American luxury coupe and Chevrolet refuses to upgrade the Monte Carlo, I may buy another ESC or ETC and rotate the two until GM comes to their senses about what we want. Overweight gas guzzlers cant be our future.

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  Caution! - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By CAUTION! - April 9 - 7:06 am

  Brakes squeak and belts have to be greased monthly! Am told by my local dealer that the brakes squeak because all high performance cars do? Also told that there was nothing they could do about belts - it is a general motors issue - of course warranty has expired - SURPRISE!

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  my turn - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By jeff - April 8 - 7:52 am

  Love the car. But difficult to get out of it. Doors seem a bit small. GPS advanced, difficult to learn. Dealer should specifically have someone to spend 30 to 45 minutes with you to review. Would make life easier first few days. Overall very happy and doing better on gas after 350 miles than I expected

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  Still perfect after 100,000 miles - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Heckofaman - April 7 - 7:38 pm

  This has been a great car and a real bargain. Mine was purchased as a low mileage certified car and is still flawless after over 100k miles driven over some very rough Detroit freeways. I have every option including sunroof, factory chrome wheels, rear sunshade, and Bose system...and every thing works. The dealer has replaced small items like the headlights under warranty and has done a good job of normal maintenance without ever overcharging or suggesting unnecessary service [Ive owned a BMW 6 Series that always needed expensive service]. The ride is firm enough without being harsh...good even over Detroits rough roads, and the steering is still tight. MPG = 28 highway at 75 MPH+

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  Meant To Be Driven Until End of Warranty! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By wm - April 6 - 5:35 am

  The cts is absolutely the sexiest car Ive ever driven. Bought it used w/ 35k - certified. Styling, comfort and handling were outstanding. Consistently 30 mpg hgwy! I drive 30k a year, but I baby my cars... Many annoying little things (costly w/o warranty): oil leak, sunroof Glass, loose interior panels, tie rods all before 60k. Worse off at 90k: 2 thermostats. As soon as the warranty ended (a month later): coolant check valves and hoses, head gaskets, rear bearings, etc. "certified" is the best! Buy this car because its excellent... Trade it before the warranty is up... I took a $12k loss and went back to Japanese quality. FYI even the base model accord offers the same options as a CTS.

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  Parts? - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By ldunlap - April 4 - 3:25 pm

  Bought for my son in college. Nice looking car but expensive to keep up. Parts are hard to find.

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  Exactly what I expected - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By BK - April 3 - 10:59 am

  I bought my first Cadillac in October of 07 and have been happy with the experience so far. Exterior style is pretty much the best aspect of the car. Its classy and has an edge. The ride is luxury car smooth for the most part. I dont feel tired most of the time I drive home from a long day at work. Fuel economy is average at best but I expected that. At $3.10/gal a fill up is $60, which lasts me about a week. Build quality is as good as other luxury cars. Lots of cheap plastic and panels that do squeak and come off. It looks good though. Nav system is great. Seats are comfy. And caddy dealers are willing to deal a little for the car. All in all Im very satisfied

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  1994 cadillac sts - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By walter van horn - March 23 - 9:08 pm

  purchased car with 94,000 miles, now have 116,000 did normal services, tires, brakes,cooling system, repaired wires that shorted out going to fuel injectors. Car runs well gets 17 to 26 miles a gallon. Bose stereo is great, handles well, ac compressor went out have to be replaced. car is driven to work 25 miles a day but performs well on the road at 70 to 75 mph