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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  Luxury with Performance....Sweeeeeeet! - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By GOPENS - April 1 - 4:59 pm

  I never would have thought about buying an "old mans" Cadillac, a "new" car or an automatic transmission. However, a weekend at the Performance Driving lab in NY got me hooked! I drove several Audis from the A-4 and A-6 models, Mercedes, Dodge Charger and Challenger and the new Camero was on my list. The CTS with the Direct Injection, Performance Package, and AWD was the best car for the money and the combination of features. The Caddy has more room and a better interior than even the German cars, which surprised me since I grew up with Audi. The hopped up CTS is NOT AN OLD MANS AUTOMOBILE!

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  Love CTSs 6 Speed Manual Transmission! - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By JamesO - March 31 - 9:57 am

  Love to drive a manual transmission! The Cadillac dealership and the CTS were on my list of dealerships to visit, of those who had 6-speed manual vehicles. It was love at first sight on the car lot, with its excellent looks in its white tri-coat colour! The driving experience was great, with the FE3 sports suspension, +300hp direct injection engine, and with its 18inch wheels. The turning radius was real tight! I could not pass up on the price. With my trade in, a $42,000 car for less than $29K! The Catera Touring Sedan (CTS) is a great buy in my opinion, and with the excellent service Ive gotten so far from the dealership, Cadillac is one GM division that is making its vehicles right.

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  Almost a 10 - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Dr Gino - March 30 - 7:40 pm

  This CTS is a good as any car I have owned and I have had most of the luxury ones. I could not believe the great ride and handling. Its like being in a vault. This car performs with confidence. Dont miss out on this one!

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  oil leaks - 1993 Cadillac Seville
  By noromeo4juliet - March 30 - 8:00 am

  The Cadillac I purchased is my second Cadillac that continues to amaze me with the high quality of performance. I also have an eighty six Seville that has 158,000 miles and I have never had any problems on it until recently. The one problem I have noticed is the problem with oil leaks in both cadillacs that started at about 120,000 miles. Thinking it was changed in later years to a different type engine, but it gets pricey to fix as you usually have to drop the engine to get it repaired. Other than that I would recommend and buy again. Excellent car.

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  Awesome - 2016 Cadillac SRX
  By Brenda - March 25 - 3:24 am

  I was hesitant about this vehicle with the mixed reviews read prior to purchasing. I am beyond happy with the technology, comfort and look of this car. If I want more sporty Ill drive my Mercedes! Besides the engine being a bit loud- this suv delivers in looks, bells , and whistles with performance to boot!

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  Almost flying - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Dstar40xls - March 24 - 2:35 pm

  After 2 SRXs past 5 years was ready for sedan. Test drove BMW, Infiniti, Lexus, Audi. Had to take the CTS4 out for a spin when took my lease back...wow. Plenty of quiet performance, I mean quiet. NE Ohio potholes no match. BMW better performer but not for the added dollars, Lexus no curb appeal, Infiniti more bells and whistles, Audi my back still hurts. Glad I had to return the lease to a Caddy dealership.

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  Great Car - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Grandma Chad - March 24 - 8:49 am

  I have owned this car for nine years. It has had A/C problems and the usual "service soon" light coming on frequently. Other than the usual replacement of belt/hoses, brakes. This is my baby and still gives me a smoother ride than my new 2006 Caddy. Still has good pickup and I get 27-28 mpg on the highway..

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  Cadillac is Cadillac - 1991 Cadillac Eldorado
  By StJust - March 22 - 10:55 pm

  I love this car. I bought it 2 months ago but I love every bit of it. Its pearl white and its an amazing car that commands respect. So far every car mechanic who have seen it asked which year it was and if Im passing through a small street, opposing cars park on the side giving me a way to go, EVERYTIME! Of course its an 18 years old car that needs to be taken care of but its a pure classic car and its worth it! I hate to see all these people taking a classic car and turning it into an auto-clown by installing 22" rims, etc, and thats why Im keeping it classic.

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  A Dream Car With Baggage. - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By CaddyGuy - March 21 - 1:06 pm

  My Cadillac ETC is my dream car. It has everything but OnSt*r. The exterior body design is unique and sleek. The interior design is Sweeping, modern and extremely attractive. But the Baggage is the NorthStar Engine. No one can afford to repair it unless you have Warrantee. It suffers carbon build up which requires occasional WOTs to clean out. Search the Cadillac forums and search WOT. Though toted by GM as the best engine ever, it is a night mare in costs when repairs come, even small ones, repair cost is excessive. My ETC was my dream car and I enjoy it emensly but I am concerned when that NorthStar should have a problem. You really need to weigh your need vs a junk NorthStar eng.

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  Wow, what a car !! - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By Barbara Rossetto - March 20 - 4:05 pm

  I have owned my Cadillac Sedan de Ville for 14+ years and consider it the finest car I have ever owned. I have never had to perform anything but normal maintenance on this beautiful vehicle, have taken many major road trips in it in utmost comfort and safety, and enjoy it every day for normal in-town driving around Los Angeles. Always a pleasure to enter, its tasteful interior gives my passengers a sense of spacious comfort unmatched in any other car. I love this car today just as much as I did when I drove it out of Casa de Cadillac in 1994. Faithful oil changes, brake service, align, etc. and keep it forever! After 157K miles, still Five Star !