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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  Small Cadi with a V8...COOL - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By T Pascucci - June 5 - 6:02 am

  Used Cadillac is a great value (recommend certified used) a blast to drive, sharp looks, shifts beautifully, lots of toys.

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  My 2004 CTS - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Robert Leo - June 4 - 10:00 am

  As evidenced by the miles on the car, I do not drive a lot. However, the car provides what I ask of it when needed. The ease and comfort of operation is exceptional.

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  Easy Rider - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Jezk - June 3 - 4:23 pm

  I bought this vehicle brand new and have used it for just short of twelve years. The car rides and performs well, but is expensive to service and maintain. I estimate that to own and operate this car (less gas and tires) over 137 months was $68,500 or roughly $500 per month. All service work was performed by the dealer and the car still performs well with the exception of check transmission and check engine lights which occasionally come on and then go off. From the Edmunds Web site I learned that the fault is a defective "turbine speed input sensor" a $100 part that takes 15 hours of labor to replace at a cost of $3050 or $4000 for a rebuilt transmission.

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  2003 CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By pcVic - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Just drove the CTS from Chicago to Boston and back. The ride was a real pleasure. Buttoned up the cars interior is very quiet which added to the enjoyment of the 12 speaker Bose system. The smart sound system even adjusted itself for optimum listening when I had the sunroof open.

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  Proud to own a Cadillac - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Evan - May 30 - 11:43 pm

  Im 36 and this is my second Cadillac, but this is no fuddy-duddy car like my 04 DHS was labeled. Its a car seemingly made for my demographic. Ive never driven a car that turns as many heads and gets as many compliments and inquiries as this one does. The steering feel and handling are superb. The throttle response and manumatic shifting can take some effort to be smooth, but that kind of adds to the fun. The car likes to rev, but it lacks low end torque. It feels a little slow until you hit around 3500 RPM, at which point it takes off almost unpredictably quickly. I also have a strange odor coming from the air vents, and have since day one. Not sure what thats about.

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  Fun Car - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Darwins Guy - May 29 - 8:11 am

  Driven 500 miles so far getting 29 hwy mpg sound system is great absolutely no problems at this point. Love the interior and exterior white premium paint is beautiful. Love the Bluetooth phone connection talking on phone as I enter car, automatically call is transfered to car, no buttons to push. Came from BMW 745Li, have never looked back since getting the CTS (see ya BMW) this is a very nice vehicle good deal with dealer. Debated with self on Infiniti G35 and M35/45 and Lincoln MKZ CTS beat both with features and more for the money absolutely no regrets/second thoughts.

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  Great Gift - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By Justin - May 27 - 11:15 pm

  I got this car from my grandma for my birthday. Let me tell you this car is the gift that just keeps on giving. When I first got this car I was like oh thanks grandma I might as well get rid of it now. After sitting down in its soft sofa like seat I gave it a try. It turns out this car is really nice and lasts a long time. It now has 194,456 miles on it and I have not had a single problem. I love this car.

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  The time of your life! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By ClevelandDan - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my CTS for about a month and bought it after test driving the BMW 3 and 5 series several times. Long time Honda owner, but had to look at American cars after seeing so many look alikes from the Japanese & Germans. Tough to tell an Audi from a BMW from a Toyota. The CTS is a blast to drive - almost seems like it is reading your mind when you want to change lanes. Once you begin moving over you better be ready - the CTS is very responsive. Can easily cruise at 80 mph and you dont even notice. I defintely use my radar detector at all times. Great turning radius as well, very tight and quick.

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  Great Car - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By rados123 - May 26 - 8:03 pm

  What a great vehicle, this is my first G.M. car. Fast, comfortable, (Im 63) great car for the price.

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  Owners first ride - 2008 Cadillac DTS
  By Don - May 26 - 7:34 pm

  I took some of the advice from others on the internet and looked for a car to take long rides in. It is ideal. It is roomy and quiet.