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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  2 for 1 and did my homework - 2012 Cadillac SRX
  By JC - October 4 - 6:21 pm

  I traded in my 05 Infiniti q45 and 04 Chevy trailblazer in for the Srx. I wanted all the same features both vehicles had together. I look at the Lincoln, Mercedes , Infiniti and BMW. But for the value you could not beat Cadillac. I am a 63" male thats sits comfortably inside and do not have a problem getting in or out. Cadillac services or will maintain the vehicle for the next 3 years all free. I test drove a 2015 but settled on the 12. Didnt want big car payments. Plus the only difference is the navigation radio system but everything else is the same. It has 22000 miles and certified pre-own. I had it a month a get 21 mpg around town and 25 on the highway. This is great compared to my last v8 and v6 engines. And it takes regular gases. The dealer also washes it at every service a sweep as give you a brand new loaner. I do recommend you test drive.

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  A dream to drive . - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By Kim - October 2 - 2:04 pm

  This car replaced 2000 cadillac Deville. Which did get better mpg.then the 2007 dts but hands down this dts with the performance package is awesome to drive the power and handling and comfort is a dream and style is tops.

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  So Far So Good - 2015 Cadillac SRX
  By JT - October 1 - 11:22 am

  My first American Car in over 30 years. Mostly a Lexus and Infinity owner in this class. After test driving, took the leap. So far So Good. Impressive.

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  Great ride and comfort - 2015 Cadillac SRX
  By Larry - September 29 - 5:32 pm

  We think Cadillac should offer "heads up" windshield. The gas economy could be better.

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  Over 100000 miles and it still performs - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By David Graham - September 29 - 1:05 pm

  Just got back from a 1000 mile road trip with my buddies and the Escalade did not disappoint. Ride was smooth, power was great and even though the 2015s completely changed the look, this car still looks great. We purchased the car used with 35000 miles and its had some minor repairs. (motor mounts, door handles power liftgate motor, power mirror motor) My main gripe is the lack of an aux jack or USB jack. We thought the rear aux jack could be used to connect an IPOD but that doesnt work.

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  Platinum Bargain! - 2011 Cadillac DTS
  By JimBo - September 24 - 10:12 pm

  Searched for this platinum edition for over 4 years...makes an incredible used car buy given all the stats on reliability and safety, combine that with inlaid wood and cadillac logos on the upgraded leather seats with alcantara headliner and courtesy lights...the perfect chauffeuring car for taking friends and family out to dinner or cruising down the highway is where it really shines! You will probably think the ride is a bit rough for such a big luxury car, but getting it up to speed smooths things out. Bought my 4 year old DTS with 32k miles at about 1/3 the MSRP...BARGAIN!

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  Comfortable ride, good performance, clean styling - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By SLG - September 23 - 11:22 pm

  My 2005 STS Norstar V-8 since it was new. Currently it has almost 80,000 miles. There were a few minor mechanical problems when new, all covered under warranty, but over the last several years the repairs have been minimal, or just routine maintenance. The car has very good handling, braking and acceleration for a luxury car, and plenty of room to ride very comfortably, which makes road trips no problem. With the Norstar V-8 it has plenty of power, but without sounding like a "boy racer."

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  My beautiful Caddy - 1991 Cadillac Deville
  By Jim W. - September 22 - 3:01 pm

  If this car wasnt so great looking Id had gotten rid of it a long time ago. Ive owned many GM cars and even a Dodge and VW Rabbit and this car has had more things go wrong with it then I have ever had with any other car. Major things like the on board computer, the fuel tank and fuel pump had to be replaced twice, A/C stopped working, and now the injectors are going bad. It has 97,000 miles on it. good points....gets excellent gas mileage even in town I average 20 - 23 and on the freeway at 65 mph I get around 28 to 31. the engine is very powerful and responsive. bad points there is always some little thing breaking down and repairing this car is very expensive

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  This car is not for the masses - 2014 Cadillac ATS
  By tchasman - September 20 - 8:02 pm

  I have had my ATS for a year now. Nothing major has happened. Even though I have to push down on the accelerator more when I have the A/C on, it picks up with strength. I use mid-grade gas and I can get 34+ mpg hwy. miles (according to the on-board computer. Have the 2.0 turbo with AWD and Auto). Very smooth running engine on the hwy. Acceptably quiet on the road. Kick-ass base audio (try XMs 90s channel and hold-on. Whats the wattage?). I like the firm suspension which is very strong (durable) too. Held up to a Michigan pot hole (i.e. crater) that took out both left side wheels. Not a scratch to the suspension or the Michelin run flats (they didnt blow. Need about 35psi). Did reasonably well in the snow last winter. Some of the real negative comments confuse me. I know there can be "Lemons" made. I didnt get one. The only down side is the resale value. Not a good show, GM. Good thing I am purchasing. I will keep it as long as it keeps on running like it is now. Like my title says. This car is not for everyone. It works fine for me.

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  Best car I have ever owned. - 2015 Cadillac SRX
  By Mike Corrigan - September 16 - 6:57 pm

  Great car, try to stop smiling after you acquire.