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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  Europian "crap-ollac" - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By scott - July 8 - 3:25 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with my car. I bought it used from a dealership for way too much. I didnt look at any consumer reviews before hand. I thought - "Its a Cadillac, of course its nice!" Well, I couldnt have been more wrong. From the lot I had nothing but troubles with the car. I bought it with 38,000 in 2007, and now it rests, with a blown engine, in my drive way with 60,000 miles on it. Those were very expensive 22,000 miles! I am thankful though that this model wasnt an American made car. Come on gm! Do not buy this car!

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  Dont buy this car! - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By zach - June 26 - 11:40 pm

  I hate this car. I dont know why I bought this car in the first place. So many problems. The repair cost are getting close to how much a bought it for in 04. $4000. The a/c doesnt work at all. Leaks antifreeze. Need to put more in every weekend. Radio turns off and doesnt come back on. Check engine light is always on. It never goes off. Water pump is bad. The cooling system doesnt work. The fans dont kick in time to cool the engine. Gas in horrible in town. 190-210 miles to a tank. Bout 365 on the interstate going 65-70. The tires go bad in 10k miles. What else? Just dont buy this car. Listen to me and you will not burn a hole in your wallet to fix it.

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  My first and last Caddilac - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By AFA3767 - May 12 - 6:48 pm

  I am extremely disappointed with my 2008 Cadillac CTS AWD 3.6 DI. This car has been nothing but problems. At 10,000 miles the check engine light went on and they had to take my engine apart due to a cylinder head problem. The car was in the shop for 28days. At 30,000 miles Cadillac had to replace my engine. The car burns oil and you will not make the recommended 10k between oil changes. I now have 38k miles and i discovered rain water in my passenger seat floor. lastly, I just experienced a major transmission problem that resulted in flames coming out the side of the car. if you are thinking of buying this car, I would suggest you spend the 50k on a car built with better quality.

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  What a piece of - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By rick - May 4 - 4:47 pm

  This vehicle has stranded us on the side of the road 5 times in 3 years. The same symptoms but dealer always says its a different sensor. Got Cad corp involved and they tell me that with such high millage (73k) its bound to happen. I have had to even change the steering col due to failure. Even had NHSTA recalls but they said it doesnt apply to my vin. This is the worst car I have ever owned except my 1965 Plymouth Barracuda 40 years ago. do not trust Moore Cad or cad corp.

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  Bad apples of the Cadillac. - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By Miriam - April 23 - 8:32 pm

  Repaired 3 times check Engine never goes away. Inside Engine material is plastic imagine! on a 260 degree Hot Engine. that is why it constant need repair. This car should had been a recall. It stop in the middle of the road without warning. Dont bother to call GM they wont help you, this has been put under the carpet rather then recall. (IS Cheaper).

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  Dont get it - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By zach - April 14 - 12:27 pm

  Dont ever get this car. I put to much money into it. Its not reliable car at all. It overheats the oil leaks the ac doesnt work. I want to get this car out of my sight.

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  Nice try - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By stewart - March 9 - 6:37 pm

  This was my first Cadillac and I was excited. Wow, that feeling has changed. The car is way underpowered and the gas mileage is terrible. You would expect one or the other but not both. I love the styling but knobs have already come off and the electrical system has already been worked on by the dealer. I originally bought this for my wife but she refuses to drive this anymore. Oh well, it is great when you get the "I told you so." In the snow it has done ok but terrible handling in the rain. Already changed the tires once and little improvement. I wanted to help out and buy American but I think this car needs a lot of work over. Back to the Mercedes dealer and never again.

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  No Spare - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By No Spare - February 12 - 8:18 am

  I was thinking about buying the AWD version, and I test drove one. I like the car, but when the salesman pointed out that a spare tire was not available. I walked away in disbelieve. For me the SRX is an unacceptable vehicle until they add a spare tire. Where I live this could have a very grave consequence.

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  first & last Cadillac - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Curt - January 4 - 1:54 pm

  Always drove "big" T-Birds & Buick Park Avenues. Ive experienced problems I have never had before. Battewry "blew" up in my garage, ruining large area of concrete. Drivers window went out early & now drivers remote mirror is out & passenger side window went out in down position while out of town in cold weather. Id rather drive my 05 Grand Cherokee. Gas mileage is definitely good maybebestthing about the Cadillac. Ill be lookimg for a replacement soon.

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  Unpleasant. - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By CTS - December 8 - 1:02 pm

  Excessive road noise,engine noise(sounds like a truck). It drowns out any conversation. Otherwise a fine car.The lease expires soon. It will be a Lexus this time.