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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  awsome car - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By dds - December 6 - 9:09 pm

  recently i bought a 2006 CTS 2.8L im a mechanic for GM and i love this car!!. and 2.8L does compete with the 3.6L, there is hardly any chance of feeling the 60hp difference other than racing purposes. which buy the CTS-v not the 3.6L or 2.8L. they are poor in the snow if not treated properly (drive for the conditions) I have a corvette as well and people who compare 3.6L and 2.8L engine clearly dont know what a real sports car feels like. or are that ignorant, to do these type of comparisons. thank you to all the people who took the car for what it is made for and not blow it out of proportion, remember it is a four door sedan with a V6 either of them 3.6L or 2.8L. all an all beautiful car

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  Blue/Silver - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By blue max - December 5 - 9:43 pm

  Car purchased with 9000 miles It was not titled until I purchased it Exec.car. We put over 14000 miles a year car now has 81000 on it. G.M replaced 3 of 4 Good Year tires and didnt help much. Put 4 Bridgestone Pole positions and the car went like it was on rails. Wonderful This car has the Sport Suspension on it ant the wife and I love the way it handles and rides. We drive it hard on long trips and regularly get near 28 miles per gallon.Large trunk with amazing space. Navigation system is not user friendly but gives you lots of other features related to the car. We found a great 2009 CTS and will pick it up in a couple of days. Would have liked to keep it in the family

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  Dream Car Nightmare - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Sad CTS Owner - December 5 - 12:01 am

  I am so disappointed with my car that I can hardly stand to drive it and am considering simply not paying for it anymore. I spent months reviewing the car and even got advice from a coworker who has the car and is a GM family member. It has been one issue after another and is constantly at the dealership. I finally had to go to GM and threaten to stop paying for it to get their attention. After repeated trips to service, I had to use my phone to film a problem that I still have with the stereo sound not powering up. The front end shakes and is out of alignment again, it idles to high and the transmission feels rough and can be felt in the gear shifter. Dealer service quality is very poor.

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  FUel economy disappointing - 2008 Cadillac DTS
  By Chuck - December 4 - 9:32 pm

  I have had several full size cadillacs including a 2006 prior to his one. The 2006 DTS averaged 25 MPG on the road or better,whereas this one averages closer to 23 MPG, I find this to be quite disappointing, otherwise I am very pleased with the car.

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  Im lovinit - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By shawano - December 4 - 7:22 pm

  I was a Buick man till I got the great deal on this used 2002 dts. Under $10K. Gripes: 1-power steering pump quit 3 months after purchase. 2- heating element in top 1/2 of drivers seat doesnt get warm enough. Other than that, I love it. ride is better than my old park avenue and lesabers. I accept the lower mileage as a trade-off for the comfort and great ride. Some portions on the instrument panel and nav system are hard to see if the sun is behind you though.

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  The 2010 SRX - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Lon Nefouse - December 4 - 4:52 pm

  First American Ive bought in many years..this is such a great car and a crossover,,has all the bells and whistles without the complications. I love this vehicle. Its what Cadillac was once all about. when the phrased was used for something that was top of the line "THE CADILLAC OF THE INDUSTRY". KUDOS TO GM..they got this baby right..and 50K bumper to Bumper for 4 years 100K powertrain. Im BACK!!!

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  CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By pifender - December 4 - 10:00 am

  So far so good. The wife loves it. I have owned BMWs but wanted something different. I have the luxery sport. The car handles well on the road.

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  Over all performance of Cadillac - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By Thomas - December 2 - 2:01 pm

  This model is high performance in comfort, style and dependability. For 15 years it has been well maintained and in very good shape. The best looking car on the road even today! White Deamond exterior with tan leather roof. Interior is light tan and comfortabel for travel. Needs some computer adjustments but all in all excellent car.

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  OMG! So cool! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By lyndy - December 2 - 12:44 am

  I absolutely love my new SRX! The styling looks great, the performance - Serious head turner!

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  My Dream Ride... - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Bignash - December 2 - 12:13 am

  Ever since this truck came out in 02. I wanted a Cadillac Truck. And I got mine and my dreams came true... It rides like a brand new one, and my interior looks great. It has 20inch rims and perelli tires. Factory everything else, and it still runs like new. I get about 15-18mpg.. My family loves it also and we cant wait to get a new E.X.T., and for anyone thinking a/b getting 1. Do it, its a blast to drive and ur friends will love to hate you in it!!! Ride American luxury at its best...Cadillac Escalade EXT..