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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  Nice with style! - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By Eva - July 27 - 7:15 pm

  We bought a 2006 last summer in 2010 and since the moment I started driving this beauty I realized what Cadillac is all the fuss about. I love it. Front differential went out and could be an expensive fix. Other than that the car has 100 + miles and it drives like new.

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  Mostly Happy - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By cadillac man - July 27 - 11:21 am

  Ride comfort is a primary concern to me, at 63" and about 265lbs. Rides very quiet handles well. Reoccurring problems have been the power steering, and 3 of the 4 window regulators.

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  Okay - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Keith - July 25 - 8:33 am

  It is quite a machine, motor wise. The motor drinks oil but other than that it has never left me stranded. I have one that also shakes at over 60, and when you brake it shakes. I have driven it across the U.S a few time, once non-stop except gas for 34 hours. I drive it in Europe right now. It is slow next to the cars over here, but its rare over here. Ive saw one. The one place the dash going from English to metric actually helps.

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  Never buy again - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Shay - July 21 - 9:53 am

  I liked the looks of this car when it first came out so I bought one. I should have waited until they figured out the problems. I had instant problems with the check engine light. It took 5 trips back to the dealer before they figured out that it was the thermostat and had to reset the sensors every time. Now it dies when you come to a stop. The final kicker was the headlamp. It went out so I looked in the manual on how to replace it. Of course it said see dealer. They quoted me $1100 to replace it. How stupid is the design team at GM? I will never buy another GM car.

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  Whos your Caddy? - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Richsap - July 19 - 9:47 pm

  This is the 3rd pre-owned Cadillac Ive had the pleasure to purchase, and they just keep getting better. I traded up from a 95 Concours to a 99 DeVille and now to a 99 Concours. As with most vehicles, the older the car the more likely issues come up, and Cadillacs are no exception. The 95 was on the verge of becoming unreliable, which I attribute to a faulty fuel injector and a starter that had an intermittent issue and would on occasion not function. The 99 Deville was (is) a beauty, until it got hit by an idiot running a red light and totaled by the insurance company. I used the funds to purchase the 99 Concours, and after replacing a malfunctioning alternator it runs & drives like new

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  Best Ride Ever! - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By BDC - July 19 - 3:43 pm

  I just recently purchased my 2008 ESV Black and Chrome escalade. I would never thought about purchasing a Cadillac Truck or any vehicle from Cadillac. Once I saw the exterior and the interior I was a more than a little impressed however, once I took a test drive I was sold! This is one of the if not the smoothest drives you will ever have. The way it shift gears and accelerate in speed is so smooth it is sweet! Everyone that sees my truck like it and everyone who test drives it love it. It is really a dream truck! (Just keep the warranty for annoying little repairs).

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  Love it - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By AZ driver - July 19 - 11:44 am

  I have had it four years and plan on keeping it for at least a couple more. Currently has 80,000 miles on it and has given me no trouble at all. And it is really fun to drive. It has spent minimal time in the shop. Drives best with Michelin tires, just makes it tighter.

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  Fun CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By dtb2 - July 19 - 10:49 am

  We had this CTS since the month of December in the year of 2007 and this car still drives like new. The only problem on the car is that something is rattling under the hood whenever we take off fast or if the car is in park, but we love this car, and this car is so nice that ill pass it down to my son for his first car. We love CTS and I recommend it to anybody who likes them.

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  Nothing but trouble - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Nothing but trouble - July 16 - 8:08 am

  I purchased this car used and thought I had gotten a good deal. Unfortunately in the last two years, I have had nothing but problems with this car. I just had the water pump replaced ($700), two belts, now the tire monitor isnt working. Ive had to also replaced the power steering lines and parts related to the coolant system. I feel like Im in the shop more than anything. The list goes on re: parts that have needed replacement. On a positive note, it is a very comfortable car and handles amazing on the road. I wish this car was made to last more than a few years for its price. Very disappointing. I dont think Id ever buy a GM vehicle again.

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  Cheap plastic upholstery - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By don N - July 15 - 9:36 pm

  I have a Cadillac since 1962 and this 2009 srs is the first one that I have had that didnt have real leather upholstery. I never thought about it at the time of purchase but I do now! I paid almost $40,000 for this car and at 15,500 miles the plastic upholstery on the drivers seat is already starting to stretch and fray. Im not a big person at 165 lb. So its not my size thats the problem its the cheap plastic crap they used for the seat covering. Not a bit of leather on these seats at all. What ever you do dont settle for anything less than leather. Remember Cadillac guarantee doesnt cover your upholstery. Gm should be out of business settling for this cheap upholstery material for a cad.