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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  Caddy-lac - 1992 Cadillac Seville
  By Gangster - March 20 - 1:03 pm

  This (was) a pretty great car. I sold mine 2 years ago because it had 175k miles on it. It still ran but was near the end of its life. Even at the end, this car cruised along surface streets and highways a like, in a smooth, comfortable manner. I had problems with the thermostat and subsequent overheating problems. But other than that, there were never any serious problems. The V-8 could really get up and go, especially considering the weight of the car, and even got 25+ mpg on the highway. Very impressive. Handling past 90mph became worrisome as the car began to sway. But this car was never meant for out running cops, it was meant for cruising in comfort, and it did that very well.

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  Styish, solid, impressive - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Vince - March 17 - 1:51 pm

  I bought this car to replace my 2004 Acura TL that got totaled, and the Caddy really leaves you with a better impression. It drives very much like a Mercedes E-class very solid and confident. The torquey 3.6 L engine accelerates with ease, never feels stressed, and is perfect for hour-plus highway trips, if not for the less- than-stellar fuel economy (at least it takes regular gas). The dash design is a bit homely, to be honest, but the interior is otherwise very pleasant and the seats are really comfortable (although at first it was tricky adjusting it to a comfy position). Polished metal plates on the door sills would be nice, like in other luxury cars.

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  2005 Cadillac CTS - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Cathy - March 16 - 1:06 pm

  Although I have always loved speed (I traded in an 02 Camaro) I got the small 6-cylinder engine in my 2005 Cadillac CTS. It handles beautifully, and has a button on the shift to switch into sport mode. This car has great pickup and a smooth ride.

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  Used 2004 SRX Experience - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Scott Greene - March 16 - 9:35 am

  I love the sound of the Northstar growl during acceleration and its excellent handling. Kids really enjoy the Sky Roof and so do I.

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  Great Ride - 2008 Cadillac XLR
  By R2KVET - March 15 - 7:19 pm

  No doubt, this is a fun car to drive. Its loaded with almost all features you may want. This car is not a Corvette and its probably not for Corvette lovers. Its sophisticated, quiet with a gentle ride. The base powertrain offer enough power for most drivers.

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  I really wanted to love this car, but... - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By bob - March 12 - 10:51 pm

  Something is always broken. Driveline vibration required axle rebuild. Numerous suspension repairs, particularly front. Replaced the radio 2x. Brake pads last 12,000 miles max. Towed when electric failed due to bad dealer repair. Front fenders crease from mild front impact (small subtle bend in middle of tire well). Dont buy this car if you have children. Seatbelts dont work well with child seats because buckles are too large - cant get the seat tight. Not designed for childseat in safest position in middle rear, just outside positions. And can you believe the 2wd version tipped up in us govt rollover testing. Somehow GM avoided the test for the first 4 years of production.

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  Show this car some love! - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By elusive_one - March 9 - 11:45 pm

  I bought this car used with 127000km for $5000 in 2007. This car has been fantastic for me as I drive it 1000km a week commuting. Very comfortable for long trips, excellent on the highway,being very powerful and smooth. It will cruise along at 130kmh all day without getting tired. The only mechanical failure I have had was a blown rear shock. Engine wise,it has been strong as an ox and not let me down. For a small Cadillac, I find this car extremely roomy, and twice as roomy as my fathers Lincoln LS. So far, this has been a wonderful car in every sense of the word. Good looking, reliable, comfortable, practical and yes, even fun! Do you wonder what a 22 yr old is doing driving a Cadillac?

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  Great Vehicle, but have cash - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By DanA - March 9 - 1:21 pm

  I bought this DTS in 2003 with 114,000 miles from a dealer in MI. The exterior and interior were spotless. They still are other than the drivers seat leather due to my daily driving. All I had to do was test drive a DeVille to know what my dream car was. The car drives solid, accelerates smoothly, and always runs strong from acceleration to passing speeds. I love this car, yet it does have serious maintenance issues. When parts fail, shop around for labor, but expect to spend major dollars on parts. Northstar does burn 1qt oil / 2k mi or so, but is very tolerable as this doesnt seem to have major effects.

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  Nothing turns heads like a red Cadillac - 2007 Cadillac XLR
  By Lance Elliott - March 5 - 9:53 pm

  Having owned many new Cadillacs I dreamed of an XLR since they first hit the market in 2004. I can say with my XLR it has been a love/hate relationship, with love still winning over my hate of some issues with the car.

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  Big Red - 1999 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Scott - March 3 - 6:59 am

  Thou I have only owned this amazing car for a short time I am total in love with it. Never thought I would own a Caddy that would out run a Mustang gt but I do. This car has a ton of power and it gets between 18 and 19 mpg. Its a very bold looking car to say the least and it really turns heads. I wish it had a sun roof and massaging seat but you cant have everything. Find any type of performence part is impossible for some reason there seems to be a lack of parts out there. I bought this car with 55,000 miles on it for $10,500. which is way over the book value but now am glad I did. The Bose stereo will not pick up and hold any radio stations I am starting to think it may need repaired.