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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  My DTS - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Richard Geiger - February 1 - 1:45 pm

  This is my third Cadillac in a row. I have had others in the past. I am very happy to own and drive this car.

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  My Early Opinion - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By joe casazza - January 29 - 12:33 pm

  I just got my 2006 Cadillac STS V8. While its styling is appealing, the rear seat comfort is very tight. Also, its quality is not as good as I had expected. The instructions for the electronics is very confusing. Even dealer personnel have difficulty due to the use of different systems in different models. The keytless start feature is OK, but not great. the stereo is fantastic!

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  Get the AWD - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Not A Fossil - January 23 - 3:00 pm

  The 2WD Cadillac STS has trouble going when the forecast even calls for snow. My 2% driveway grade is too much for it with just a dusting. That being said, the ride and quality is better than my previous Lexus. Its fun to drive. I had to replace the front control arm after 6,000 milies though. This is a common problem with STS and CTS according to the service manager.

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  This Car Saved My Life - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Angelo - January 18 - 11:13 am

  I loved the 2006 Cadillac CTS from the day I took delivery of it, but this past Sunday I loved it even more. My son and I were in a major accident and this car saved our lives. I slid on ice and hit a pole on my drivers side door with the pole falling down on top of the car. It bent the car in half, blew out most of the windows and smashed the roof. The impact of the pole was by my pelvis and legs. To my amazment my son and I did not have a scratch. The side curtian airbags deployed as did the airbag in the seat. This saved me from any trauma. The pole hit the drivers side window smashing it, when the side curtain airbag deployed it was between my head the glass and the pole. My family thanks you GM.

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  Poor Drivers Seat Design - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Lester Butler - January 17 - 1:18 pm

  My wife has experienced a leg cramp problem when driving our Cadillac SRX for more than one hour. Recently, we went to view the 2006 SRX to look for some kind of improved seat design and saw no change. The salesperson even told us that someone just last week had to return a 2006 SRX with only 1,500 miles because of the same problem. We will not be buying a new SRX as our next car.

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  Our 99 DeVille - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By rockiesfan - January 15 - 3:06 am

  Driving the Cadillac DeVille is great. We took it to Tennessee in Dec. 05 and I couldnt be happier with it. It has plenty of room, is quiet and has an awesome engine! For a heavy car it really runs. I like how the power takes you over hills with the cruise on and only slows down a mph or so. Its fuel mileage was right at 26 mpg, now thats good. My only complaint really is mine has no OnStar, and the stereo isnt luxury car material in my opinion.

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  STS - Ride is VERY FIRM - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By johnnocalif - January 15 - 1:29 am

  If you are looking for a soft, luxurious Cadillac-style ride, you wont find it in the STS. Its bucket seats are pure Mercedes stiff. I have moved from a 2004 Jaguar S-Type with the Sport Package to a 2006 STS V6 with the Performance Luxury Package. I love the STS and all the technology. The STS feels more luxurious and larger. It has great ride, is quiet, and has no road vibration - but the seats are so firm that it ruins the ride. The lumbar support is too hard and does not fit a 62" body. The Jag S-Type rides softer on the freeway and tighter winding roads. I love many things about the STS, but a 1-2 hour drive is all that I can stand.

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  Disappointed - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Dave - January 12 - 1:22 pm

  I waited months for my 2006 Cadillac DTS Luxury. It replaced my 2004 DHS. I have had a new Cadillac every 12-18 months since 1988. I am disappointed with the 2006 DTS. Is Cadillac trying to make the DTS a sport car? Big tires and rims = a poor ride. Here are some other things I dont like: The gas tank is too small. The fule door does not lock remotely. The fuel cap holder is too low on the filler door, allowing the cap to rub against the body. There is no memory on the electric tilt wheel, no pass-to-flash unless headlights are on. The arm rest on the drivers door is too low. Also, whats with the chrome door lock knobs sticking me in the arm? This car has poor workmanship, a gap in the caulk around trunk resulted in trunk well full of water.

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  Used Concours - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By bigeel0 - January 10 - 4:48 pm

  I bought my 1999 Cadillac DeVille Concours in Reno, Nevada. It was a trust car before being traded in. It had 77,000 miles and now has 120,000. I have not had no problems except with a constant SES sign but the Cadillac forum tells me dont worry about it. It is a comfortable ride and a pleasure to drive on long trips. The only problem I will fix in the future is the oil leak that according to the Cadillac forum most Northstar engines have. I have changed the oil regularly, but have experienced no other real problems that have hindered my enjoyment of this vehicle.

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  After One Year - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By pb - January 5 - 1:06 am

  I have driven my 2005 Cadillac STS for 12 months and find that it meets most of my expectations. Coming from a 2002 BMW M3 (and a BMW 540 prior to that), I was looking for more room and creature comforts. Wishing to buy American, I chose the STS V8. I have had only one signifcant problem, the steering column came loose after two months apparently from a manufacturing defect. Cadillac replaced it promtly and I had no further problem. Overall, this car is a great combination of power and a smooth ride, with useful technology (navigation, remote start, and terrific sound system-you must listen to 5.1 channel musice CDs in this vehicle). All this and its American!