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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  Fun - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By bridgit - March 2 - 6:47 pm

  My wife thoroughly enjoys this car. She always told me it was an old mans car. I would not try to take it away from her. It was the first Cadillac she ever drove. Her other car was a Lexus and Camry. She wont ever consider a Lexus now.

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  A Wow Car for 1999 - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By Marshall - February 24 - 7:10 pm

  I purchased this automobile from a dealership in July 2007 with only 19700 miles on it. My first used car, been driving Buicks for years. This car turns heads, mint condition with black on black. Rides better and has options that the 2008 Buick Lucerne still does not have. A wonderful ride and great power. Gas mileage is poor, but I already knew that. Have put 4000 troble free miles on it. Trying to keep it mint. Was able to pick up a two year $100 deductable policy due to low mileage. Never will buy a Buick again. Love this machine.

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  Got A Lemon - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Rick - February 13 - 9:27 pm

  1500 miles, rear axle seal bad, check engine light on, and ABS sensor bad, no sensor available, car in shop for 8 days tillone became available. 1800 miles 2 months old check engine light on again. Water getting in two cylinders, GM wanted to repair the motor, I wanted a new one. Local dealership finally told GM it was a block problem couldnt be fixed. Been in the shop 3 weeks, might get it back in a couple of days. Caddy talks the talk but certainly doesnt walk the walk as far as customer service goes. This is my 17th new GM car and the last. They should have replaced the car instead of hassling me about repairing the motor.

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  OK luxury sedan - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By kialover15 - February 9 - 4:01 pm

  My grandparents have a 1994 Cadillc Deville, it is getting old and losing its charm, but it is basicly a good car. The seats are getting lower and lower, but they are comfortable. The ride is a little rough too. Gas mileage is only good on the express ways though, in the city we average of about 15.5 mpg. The side mirrors need to be larger for such a big car. Nothing ever seems to go wrong with it though, never had to change a light in it, never had engine problems, guess that is why we still have it 15 years later.

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  Blue Chip - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By cz6ndv - February 2 - 2:00 am

  Navigation system, memory positions and misc. presets are difficult to program. Memory positions do not always go to the positions determined by the key fob which is used. Cumulative odometer and trip odometer do not show the same mileage.

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  Love my orphan - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By jeffE - February 1 - 10:00 am

  I love my CTS. Great handlng, could use more power. The manual 5 speed is great, definetly not my grandpops Caddy. My only regret is that I spent 32K on the car and next year it is going to have a restyled interior, bigger V6, and an optional V8. Kinda kills the resale value of mine. I only wish GM could have sorted some ofthesethings out for the first model year.

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  Reliability in question - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike MC - January 31 - 12:03 am

  I loved this vehicle for the first 2000 miles and then it began idling roughly when in gear. Then the passenger window regulator went out with the window in the down position. The dealer has had the car for two weeks without being able to find parts anywhere. Cadillac, it seems, has failed its dealers and customers.

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  Mustang Remover - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Gmiddler - January 15 - 5:35 pm

  I love the power in this machine. This Caddy reminds me of the 1958 Oldsmobile, you can not hold it back it just wants to go. I am 69 years old and love the ride and the handling of it. I hope it last me the rest of my life.

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  Ideal Truck for Me - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By pfromd - January 6 - 6:55 pm

  Love my 08 truck. It turns heads even in Texas where trucks are dime a dozen. Bought it used with 60k, driven 12k in 6 months, no complaints. Pull a boat, take it off the pavement, rinse it off, go to dinner and have it valeted in front row next to all the "me too" luxury cars. Enjoy!

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  Not worth $54,0000 - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By Tony - January 2 - 3:37 pm

  I have now driven this car for a sold year. The car looks great and handles well. There are some problems that you should not have with this price range. I have noises in the power stearing. The gas cover is cheap and is just spring loaded. I get less than 14.5 miles a gallon in the city. I do like the style and handleing. There is somthing about a caddy that has a dual exhaust that is streamlined. All n All this is not a $54,000 car. This is more like a $40,000 car. If you were to compare this to the Lexus or Benz in the same price range you might sway away from the Caddy but the Caddy have much better lease deals. I was able to lease this luxury car for nothing down and $599 a month!