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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  sorriest car i have ever bought - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By dlbeach 46 - May 6 - 3:29 pm

  this car has been in shop at least once month sence i owned it. warrent out and stil having to put 300 to 500 every other month . sensors, water pump, coolent tank. starter,what else to go wrong

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  Money Pit - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By DJ - May 4 - 10:57 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with this car. I had to replace a computer chip, transmission, water pump, axel, springs, sway bars. The tires are expensive and break easy because they are so thin. Parts for the car are expensive. The time belt needs to be replaced and its going to cost me $500! It has been in the shop more than on the road and Im afraid to drive it because I cant afford keep putting money into it. Its terrible in the snow but great in the rain. I love my car when it works but thats not too often. :(

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  Gas Tank Issues - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Newman - April 20 - 7:26 pm

  I have noticed continued thumping and swirling noises coming from the gas tank area. I have been told that GM is working on a fix. I also had issues with the brakes squeaking very loud, usually when in reverse. GM is also aware of this issue and again being told they are working on a fix. Both these issues are very disappointing for such an expensive car.

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  Oil Problems- GM in denial - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Kent - April 3 - 9:45 am

  Great looking car but clearly a defect in the engine. As others have reported, you get an oil change an 1500 miles later the car starts shaking. You check the oil, its empty. No oil leak, no burning smell, just gone. The dealership says theyve "never heard of this problem" yet people all over the internet report the same problem. We wanted Russ Darrow, our dealer to find out what was wrong before the warranty ended. They have done nothing except keep charging us for oil changes (@ $117 each time) and say there is nothing wrong. Even though randomly for no apparent reason, youll check the oil and it fine then a week later its 5 quarts low. Its clear there should be a recall on this car.

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  Never Again - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By dwagamon - March 23 - 1:03 pm

  I first purchased a 2001 Deville and turned it in under the Lemon Law within 6 months (26 times in the shop). We purchased a 2002 replacement. This car was good for about 35,000 miles. Then it started using oil, had to replace 2 seat heaters, water pump, and two starters. Since then it has been one senor after another, cruise control module, two more starters, flywheel, ball joint, etc, etc. I will drive this until it stops to get my investment back, however I could never be compelled to purchase another Cadillac in this lifetime! Not worth the cost outlay or the frustration level. I have also learned Cadillac, as a company, is not concerned about its customers - horrendous experience!

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  Bad engineering - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By roxnter - March 9 - 3:29 pm

  I have never liked this car, but my wife loves it. Excessive engine noise, makes it sound faster than it is. Very stiff suspension. Fine on curvy roads, but very annoying in town. You feel every bump. Cheap interior and tinny sound when doors close. Just normal repairs until recently when alternator belt failed, chunks of which got under the timing belt throwing off the timing and ruining the engine (bent valves, heads to machine shop & unknown damage to pistons. What kind of cheap engineering allows the timing belt to be dislodged by a alternator belt failure. Should just run out of juice & stop. I was afraid this Caddy was going to do this some day. Last GM product Ill ever own.

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  Fun car, lots of problems. - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Jeff - March 9 - 1:10 pm

  Let me start by saying I do like the car. However Ive owned it for nearly 3 years and its in the shop every other month. So far Ive replaced the catalytic converters, the oxygen sensors, the battery, the windshield (cracked for no reason), the dashboard, rear shocks, the water pump, tie rods and the passenger seat airbag sensor. This is in addition to normal maintenance such as brakes, tires (of which Ive need to put 2 sets on) and oil changes. Also it burns oil at about 1 qt every 2000 miles, I found this out after I nearly ran it out of oil and the computer shut the engine off (there is no light indicating low oil). I like the car, but I probably wouldnt buy another.

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  radio problems - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By John - February 23 - 2:09 pm

  Had just bought 2010 Cadillac SRX had only 3 Days radio goes dead blinkers do not light up on interior dash no noise with blinkers on, all the lights in radio console dark. First time diagnostic check showed no problems So i took car back. One week later car did same thing. Mileage on car less than 400 miles. Srx still in shop can not find problem.

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  Another oil burner - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By franko97 - February 16 - 8:12 am

  I agree with Dawna - bought the car used, goes through 5 qts every 3000 miles or so. Engine bucked on acceleration. Dealer charged me $100 to reflash the ECM which (unknown to me) was under recall and should have been free. Now it wont start and service airbag light is on. Center column plastic is peeling. Will never buy another Cadillac .

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  I tried to love it... - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Julie - February 11 - 11:50 pm

  When I first saw this car, I immediately fell in love with the design. The sunroof is amazing, the shape of the car and body style is beautiful... but thats where it ended for me! I have only owned this car for 6 months, but it has been in the shop over 10 times for various expensive repairs... new cat converters, new air ride suspension, 2 new power steering columns, various wiring issues, new spark plugs and coils... it has cost us thousands in repairs, not to mention the hassle of dropping it off at the shop approx every 2-3 weeks! This is definitely not the quiality a cadillac should be!