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:

• 

  More Cadillac Junk - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By sucker - April 27 - 1:02 pm

  This was a very exciting purchase for my family because it was our first Cadillac. We bought it used because we couldnt afford a new CTS. We quickly found out we couldnt afford a used CTS either. These cars have a lengthy list of faults from engine design to creature comforts. The biggest fault the vehicle has would have to be the extensive use of electronics and other devices that are not needed, however if these units fail, the car doesnt run. Anytime anyone touchs a Cadillac for repair, plan on a minimum of $1000. Better yet, pass on the Caddie and buy a normal car. The Cadillac name is not made from quality anymore.

• 

  Dont buy one - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By john - January 16 - 4:33 pm

  This thing is not worth spit. It has way too many reliability problems mainly with the so called "computer". Ours went out, they replaced it, then the gas gage indicator stopped working so they reset the computer, then the turn signals stopped and they could not duplicate it then we lost oil but the computer never told us and the dealer didnt know why. We traded it in on a Subaru Forester. The trade-in number was a surprise because it is so low! GM should go bankrupt putting out this SRX crap for too many bucks. We had 40K miles on it and in the shop 6 times!

• 

  Hard and Fast - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Daniel - January 10 - 1:27 pm

  Was intended to be a around town shopping car, but since I work out of town now it is a interstate highway car. Really enjoy the W.O.T. exercise when entering the highway from various rest stops. Fuel mileage is good at 23 to 26 mpg. Plus it just looks good and feels good to drive it.

• 

  My American Car Buying Days Are Over - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By macnamara532 - December 24 - 9:44 am

  I have tried to support the American car manufacturer, but I cant anymore. I have had everything from havng to replace the console, because it was rattling so much, too the cheap plastic Door handles that cut my wifes hand. The molding around the windows is falling apart. Then the recalls, the last one because the unit that heated the windshield wiper fluid had heated up while not in use, and apparently had started fires. These are just the proverbial tip of the iceberg, many other things have gone wrong, but I am getting depressed even more by continuing on. Needless to say, I love General Motors, but until they improve quality, I will no longer be a loyal buyer.

• 

  Do not buy one - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By Crapola - November 10 - 7:38 am

  What a piece of junk! I took a gamble and bought a 2000 Catera this past August. Traded it in this month ( November ). In the 3 months I owned it, I spent almost $1,000 in repairs. Transmission solonoid, oil gasket, emission valve, brake boost valve....countless others needed and advised by my mechanic to cut my losses and pawn it off, so I did. If anyone out there is looking at buying one of these, dont! The car may look nice and the price may be right, but just dont do it. Parts are very expensive, and these cars are a real pain to work on! It will be a choice you will soon regret, just like I did. I got next to nothing on trade in too, by the way! Cost me lots of money in the end!

• 

  Dont drink the Cadillac koolaid! - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By bobby - October 14 - 10:18 pm

  This may be the nicest looking large SUV, however the trade off for reliability, build quality/materials, and lack of basic amenities leave this owner regretting every drive. I only have 7 thousand miles and the things spends more time at the dealer than my garage. GM clearly rushed this vehicle to market before it was done. The interior materials are cheap and not color matched. The metal is different colors and burns your hands. My door panels are turning purple from black. Only 2 windows auto down. the third seat is a pain to store. The onstar drops calls in the city, god forbid I need it out of town. Buy something else!

• 

  burns oil - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By smores - October 7 - 6:11 pm

  I leased this vehicle for 3 years and wish it was 2. the car broken down on an out of state trip. Had it towed and it turns out it was an oil problem burns oil like crazy, takes only synthetic oil which should be good for 6 to 7 thousand miles according to Cadillac. the more I read about this car the more I hear about oil issues.

• 

  Poor experience with my SRX - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Becca - October 7 - 5:22 pm

  I have now owned my SRX for 1.5 years. I purchased it brand new with no complaints up until recently. Over the past 3 months, my car has been in for repairs 5 times with the dealer only fixing my concerns/complaints 3 occasions. It has had a new Catalytic converter (the car stalled on me in rush hour traffic), the horn went out, the battery had to be replaced (in a year), and there is a constant rattle when I accelerate or brake. For a "luxury" car, I am frustrated. My prior vehicles that included a BMW and Mercedes did not require this much maintenance. So much for switching to American made for me. This will be the last GM I purchase!

• 

  Dont waste your money - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By R.Shoe. - September 22 - 8:45 am

  It is nice to drive and looks sharp. That is about it. Engineers must have been high when the interior was planned. The rear pass. windows dont roll down all the way. Was told GM makes these doors to small around the wheel well hence window rolls down 1/2 way - no its not a safety thing. There are no pockets in the back side doors. No Storage. All of the seats are SO uncomfortable. They are like sitting on concrete. The third row seats have no place to put anything. For the third row both cup holders are on the left side of the car. There is a water leak in sun roof. Too many problems to list. No wonder GM is having financial problems.

• 

  Junk - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By scharfenberg - September 1 - 3:21 am

  I would never by a Cadillac again. Ive replaced the motor due to head bolts stripped out of motor. They make an 800 dollar kit to fix the problem but it did not work due to already being done the wrong way. If I were you stay away from 96 to 2000 or you will have a bill of 3500 dollars like i did. If youre thinking about buying one I have this to say to you. Its the biggest pile of junk there is and if I were gm i would be ashamed of putting my name on it.