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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  Review and a question about transmission - 2007 Cadillac XLR
  By Ron Conrad - June 29 - 11:00 am

  I previously owned an SL-320, then picked up an 07 XLR while in Fla. this winter. I love it, think it is drop- dead beautiful. Averaged 27 mpg coming up 95 at 75 mph. Ive noticed a random clunk in the transmission when moving in slow traffic at about 18 mph. Anyone else notice this? Only happens when very slow stop and go situations. This is a more luxurious car than my 97 SL was. Any input about the transmission would help. Ron

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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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  A ten - 2006 Cadillac XLR
  By love 4 toys - June 26 - 8:12 pm

  i have owned over 150 autos and this car is the finest auto gm has ever built sorry it has been discontinued this is a great collectors car.

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  First Premium Luxury Car - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Greg - June 25 - 6:11 am

  I bought this car used from a local dealer with 16,000 miles on it. I have owned the car for eight months & have had no problems with it. I like the sporty exterior looks & enjoy the manual mode shift feature on the automatic transmission. This car handles well for its size & with the 3.6 L engine is more than adequate in the power range. I added a custom after market stainless steel double twist grill to the front upper & lower bumper & the car looks outstanding.

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  I love this car - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Jeff lapsker - June 23 - 11:05 pm

  I drove Japanese cars my whole life. I am 52. This 2006 STS V-8 was purchased with 28,000 miles in June of 2010. Paid 21,000 and added a $3,000 bumper to bumper additional 50,000 mile warranty. This car is solid, No outside noise heard. Beautiful on the outside and inside. The most powerful engine Ive ever had and it moves effortlessly. The tach never has to go higher than 2200 rpm even at 80 mph. There is a penalty for all this power. I probably will spend $1500- 2000 more money in gas per year than my V-6 Maxima and avalon engines. I couldnt afford a new STS. So I got lucky getting an 06 with only 28,000 miles. And it doesnt have a scratch. Looks like new. Who uses the glove box

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  Im in Love - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By MommyO - June 23 - 8:14 pm

  I have been considering downsizing from my Ford Expedition for a year now, spending numerous hours on-line researching different makes and models. Last month my husband and I finally started test driving. I liked the Lexus RX and the Chevy Equinox, until I fell in love with the Cadillac SRX. The vehicle is amazing, its all that and then some. I have it in the Platinum Ice Tricoat color and I have received nothing but compliments on it. I bought it with 2,600 miles on it and the price dropped almost $10,000, which didnt bother me because its in MINT condition. I hate buying brand new as soon as you drive it off the lost the value on it drops drastically.

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  If you love attention, youll love this - 2009 Cadillac XLR
  By George W - June 21 - 7:48 pm

  Heads turn. I love the design, the look, the handling and all the gadgets. With top up, drives quiet.

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  I fall in love everyday - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By KRSTS - June 20 - 10:13 am

  I have owned this STS for 27 months and I love it more everyday. It was a GM owned CPO with only 8200 miles. This is my third Cadillac. My others were all V8s and I do not miss the V8 at all. The V6DI is great engine, not only for the power but the fuel mileage. The car is very comfortable on long trips and handles like a dream. There were a few minor issues early that were promptly fixed by the dealer. Now I only take it in for an annual oil change and inspection. Best car I have ever owned in my 67 years.

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  Great Ride - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Cuervo_Black - June 20 - 1:19 am

  Omg! Im in love with a Cadillac. I love this vehicle. At first I was looking to buy a Denali and to my fortune god gave me this escalade. Let me start with the bad first. The door handles are cheap, they break but are not expensive to repair. Second, gas mileage in the city. Its a beast on the streets but on the interstate it does good. Well it has the best gas mileage for its size and class. Im spoiled with all the features. Dvd, navigation, stability, camera, comfort and power. This baby purrs when you floor it. People have given this SUV a bad review dont understand that you rather have safety comfort and power over price and gas mileage. Its a balance of what you get. You wont regret it

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  1st Cadillac - Dream Car - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By SP - June 19 - 9:10 pm

  This is my 1st Cadillac - love it. Replaced a 07 Eclipse (sports car not for me). Still learning all the bells and whistles. Love It.