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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  15 year old rocket! - 1993 Cadillac Allante
  By roadrunner - September 11 - 9:24 pm

  This is my third allante. Owned a 93 in 94 and ex got that one. Then a 91 and finally again a 93. This is the only one to own if you enjoy performance. Earlier years were somewhat more reliable, but puny in performance. With nearly 300 horses at your command, you will surprise just about anyone thinking they can beat you. But, even better, is that this car was the flagship of Cadillac in 93 and earlier years. Body by PinaFarina of Italy and drive train from an Eldorado. It still has features that most cars dont and can stand up to just about anything you put up against it off the line. But, the Northstar engine has a number of issues that could cost you a bundle. Good ones are gre

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  Airola - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By aloan4u - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Great looking, great for business, fun to drive, lots of luxury. I wish I had more immediate power and a little better milage. Overall the trade off is worth it.

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  My First Caddy - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Charles Blyer - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  So far so good - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By daveb - September 8 - 11:22 am

  Had the CTS for over a month and so far its been awesome. Lots of fun to drive. Averaging about 21 MPG. No issues so far. I was considering a Lincoln MKS but this car is so much more exciting Im glad I chose it!

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  So Far, So Good - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Mark - September 8 - 10:43 am

  Former Lexus owner. Shopped against BMW 5 series, Audi A4 and Lexus 330. BMW dealer compares CTS DI with its 220 hp 3 series -- not even close unless you like stripped down, slow German cars. Lexus 330 was close, but is a lot more conservative looking and $3,000 more. With all the bells and whistles, none could come close to the Cadillac. I thought I was too young for a Cadillac sedan, but this car has exceeded my expectations and draws compliments from friends and clients.

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  performance on the cheap - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By tommy - September 8 - 9:24 am

  What can I say this car is the Corvette for those of us over 6,5" (6,7") spirited acceleration with a growl of 300 hp and the smoothness of cruising on the highway @80 mph running lo rpm and quiet watching the estimated remaining miles to empty rise, city driving terrible like a big SUV since we have heavy feet syndrome but once on the highway my dts avgs 29- 32 mpg and the light platinum color which is liquid silver if you love your car glows endlessly day or night. A low mileage 32,265 off lease for $20k with tax and a 4 yr extended warranty this purchase cannot be beat, for $5k more or less than the std base deville this beauty is well worth it and only my third Cadillac off lease purchase

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  Awesome! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Matt K - September 7 - 4:44 am

  I just hit the 200 mile mark on my CTS. I have only had the car for 1 week. This is truly the best car I have ever owned. The car handles OUTSTANDINGLY, rides GREAT, and looks FANTASTIC! My car has the performance package, luxury 1 and 2 and polished wheels. You really dont need to spend the extra money for the Nav. The interior lighting looks unbelievable. And the best part is that the car was so much less then the BMW 3 series, Audi A4 and the Mercedes C class. GM really did a tremendous job on this car. I would highly recommend this Cadillac to anyone in the market for a luxury midsized car.

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  Wow! What A CAR! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Matt K - September 4 - 1:43 pm

  I look at every make from BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Cadillac. It was a no brainer to get the Cadillac. The car was either the same or outperformed all the other cars. The layout of the cockpit is fantastic. The car rides great and people notice the beauty of the car as well. My car has everything expect for Navigation and the Moonroof. With Onstar I felt I didnt need the Nav. That saves you a lot of $$. I would recommend this car to anyone in the market for a luxury high performance car. Definitely get the DI version. Matt.

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  Fantastic SUV - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By earle - September 4 - 10:00 am

  We purchased the SRX after bringing one home for the 24 hour test drive. You have the convenience of a suv, but the comfort and drivability of a luxury car. At first we did not like the appearance of the SRX, as it is very different looking. Now we think all of the other luxury suvs are very dated looking. We highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Window Regulators - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By phyllis (Denver Co.) - September 2 - 9:46 am

  Ive had the deville for 2 yrs and have had to replace all 4 window regulators. I dont even use the back windows. Ive been told that the 2004 deville window regulators were suppose to be defective, if so why were they not recalled? Otherwise the care is a wonderful car to own.