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 Build - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Tim - May 9 - 5:18 pm

  I looked at this car not really intending to buy a Cadillac. Ive owned many domestic and foreign cars and rate this as one of the better vehicles Ive owned. The build quality is excellent. The motor performs as it should and has a nice exhaust note under acceleration. The Bridgestone tires leave much to be desired however, there are few choices of Mfg. for tires of this size. The Yokahoma Advan S.4 look like a better option. Torque steer is manageable however if your driving becomes to0 spirited I could see where this could get one into trouble. I would like to see better sway bars on this car I think it would greatly improve its handling even though it is very good for a two ton car.

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  Looks arent everything - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By cbloomers - May 9 - 1:09 pm

  Brought an 08 escalade drives OK not to clever around corners, and auto box has problems keeping up with engine sometimes. Build quality was the down fall and the reason I got rid of it, went for a LR3 Land rover instead much nicer to drive

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  good car, but not aging well - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Rolling Thunder - May 9 - 9:29 am

  I am approaching the final months of my lease and my CTS with 36K miles is still fun to drive and looks great. Ive noticed that in the past 3 months that the car is "loosening up". More squeaks and rattles. This also happened to my Chevy Equinox at the 2.5 year mark. I am looking for my next lease and I may avoid another GM because of this. My CTS still drives well and looks great inside and out. I avg 19-20 mph in mixed driving.

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  Dream ride - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By midway - May 8 - 9:09 pm

  Have owned for 10 yrs, now at 100,000 miles it still runs and looks like new. Never had a major issue with this car, its never left me stranded and always starts right up. Everything still works! Cant understand why everyone knocks American car quality!

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  pleased - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By kstaff22 - May 7 - 2:07 pm

  Bought 2003 with lux package-17 wheels for my wife in Jan 2003.We liked the ride and handling and have taken it a couple trips to FLA.Had a few issues which I expected since it was the 1st year of a new model. After a couple months their was an issue with the steering rack that cadillac replaced--after that no problems.There was a recall on the Goodyears that they replaced at 25k--- and a rim that pitted that they replaced---so I didnt have to spring for new tires till almost 60K miles! Live outside of Buffalo NY---handles well in the snow. Looking forward to getting a new CTS-4 next year after I get my moneys worth out of these new tires.

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  sorriest car i have ever bought - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By dlbeach 46 - May 6 - 3:29 pm

  this car has been in shop at least once month sence i owned it. warrent out and stil having to put 300 to 500 every other month . sensors, water pump, coolent tank. starter,what else to go wrong

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  Money Pit - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By DJ - May 4 - 10:57 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with this car. I had to replace a computer chip, transmission, water pump, axel, springs, sway bars. The tires are expensive and break easy because they are so thin. Parts for the car are expensive. The time belt needs to be replaced and its going to cost me $500! It has been in the shop more than on the road and Im afraid to drive it because I cant afford keep putting money into it. Its terrible in the snow but great in the rain. I love my car when it works but thats not too often. :(

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  What a piece of - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By rick - May 4 - 4:47 pm

  This vehicle has stranded us on the side of the road 5 times in 3 years. The same symptoms but dealer always says its a different sensor. Got Cad corp involved and they tell me that with such high millage (73k) its bound to happen. I have had to even change the steering col due to failure. Even had NHSTA recalls but they said it doesnt apply to my vin. This is the worst car I have ever owned except my 1965 Plymouth Barracuda 40 years ago. do not trust Moore Cad or cad corp.

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  Comfort and fun - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By M. A. H. - May 2 - 8:37 am

  What a fun and comfortable car. The expense to repair items is a little disheartening. The car avgs 12.5 mpg with city driving but on the hwy that goes up to 20.5 mpg. The ability to seat 3 kids in the back seat is a plus but for adults the leg room is a little tight.

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  Seville - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By James - April 29 - 1:48 pm

  I love the gas mileage for a big car. Weird right. I bought it at 93,000 miles i put 30,000 on that. I love the design the luxury the creature comforts (which todays cars are just putting in) & of course the power of the north star V8 engine oh my. The things i hate the most are repairs, parts & reliability. The car runs smooth feel great but cost to much money to repair. I had my water pump replaced for $400 worn O ring almost ruined the entire engine. Left rear shock for $1,000 it burst. Still got to get the internal oil/coolant leak fix that will be an arm & leg. Brakes for $500. Molding on door for $120. Its like a girl who wants a sugar daddy to be pampered.