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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  Black beauty - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Peter J - May 15 - 12:34 pm

  Well my father bought the car for himself in 2006 miles 138,000, put the 4.6 vin. 9 touring engine in then gave it to me. Put new rims an tinted dark. Looks sharp. The only thing that has happened to me was the ac went out. Which was very easy to fix all it needed was to be charged, still isnt colder than my sts but Ill live. The one thing I love doing is punching it in a tunnel, and hear that baby roar! The northstar is the greatest invention. But all in all this car is the best car I have ever had "mind you Im 19". I would buy another, but probably the last year they were in production just to get the on star* car now has 165,000 on it an runs like a dream great mpg still! 17 city 29highway

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  Traded my 530I - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Ram - May 14 - 4:10 am

  Baby boomer whos never owned a new American built car (or any American car other than the old Pontiac I had in high school). Owned 2 BMW 530is and a C280 Mercedes before that. Happy to see that theres an American car that finally measures up. Is it perfect - no? Probably the only car in its class not to have bluetooth, but OnStar is GMs baby so I can live with my bluetooth earpiece and use the OnStar when needed. What I am impressed with is the styling, performace, and functionality. Got the 3.6DI with 304 horses and its definitely quicker than the 530i. The audio with XM and 40GB hard drive and centerpoint surround sound is sweet. Escalade-like styling makes it.

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  6 cyl engine on CTS is real good - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike Ciavalo - May 13 - 9:32 pm

  Traded in 2005 STS. CTS rides sharper, and a bit more quiet. Engine is slightly better on Combined MPG now averaging 20.2 after 9,000 miles.

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  I currently own three - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Jerry Kiernan - May 13 - 2:18 pm

  I currently own 3 all purchased on ebay, 2002, 2006, 2008. Only one has the need for a qt of oil every 1000 miles. Two of the three the drivers power window went,the power antenna went and the air conditioner compressor on one went at 160,000 miles. I use regular gas and get the fuel injectors cleaned for twenty dollars at Wal-mart. Get 17 to 28 mpg.avg 20. Two of the three have Michelin tires and get a great quite ride. Cheap tires effect the ride. Had one since 2002 drove 70,000 miles without ANY repairs other than window,brakes and now the AC. You can get a great car, great ride for under 5000 in 2008 dollars. My son is 22 and he likes it better than his brothers Audi. will go 200,000+mi

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  You should have bought the Hot Lava - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Hot Lava - May 12 - 2:19 pm

  I shopped for a month, drove every sports sedan, suv, and AWD vehicles made, and bought this one. This is my 86 IROC Z28 all grown up. Shes now a sexy graceful American knows who she is, what she wants and how to get it with style! I bought the awd hot lava and it has bluetooth and all the other stuff you guys want! I have waited 48 years for this car that yes still has room for improvement as you all have suggested, but we bought it for $8,700 under the sticker, cash deal and so far it hasnt disappointed me on my 100 mi/day commute on dirt hills and curves in North Idaho terrain.

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  Love this SUV - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By wbgolf - May 10 - 8:51 pm

  This SUV has been a pleasure since day one. Like it more and more each day. A solid, sound, good looking vehicle.

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  Noise in power steering - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Jack - May 10 - 6:07 pm

  2003 Deville nice running top of the line car. Looks great too. Thing that are wrong are the cruise control very easy to hit in error. Moon roof leak and filled battery well. Shorted battery out. Does not get the same mpg as my old 99 did. Also you do not know if some left the ac on in the back. But I have a problem with this car now my power steering makes noise after I had to replace the back line. The noise is only when the steering wheel is in dead center. If I move it just a little it stops. The noise is coming from the line at the bottom of the drive side.

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  Stands Out! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Mark - May 10 - 10:52 am

  I originally was looking at the Infiniti G35 or BMW 335. The Infiniti was a tremendous value, and the BMW had an engine that was simply irresistible. Then, out of nowhere, I cam across the CTS. To say the least, this car is an architectural masterpiece. It can stand out, unlike the BMW and Infiniti. Especially in Red. I get at least one compliment a day on that car, people always ask me what kind of car it is, when I say "Cadillac", thy always say "what?".

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  Beauty with No Brawn - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By Me Myself & I - May 7 - 7:49 pm

  I own a 2007 and a 2008 ESV - Both Black on Black with 24" non-stock rims. BEAUTY: I truly love the vehicles luxury, style, class, and SIZE, theres nothing better offered by any manufacturer. But here is what I find missing, or dont like. 1) No light in the glove box. 2) No auto-down windows, except drivers door. 3) Cheap battery. 4) No telescope steering wheel. 5) Small brakes. 6) No independent suspension. NO BRAWN: 7) The Escalade at 403HP is grossly underpowered. I am forced to switch the vehicle into tow-mode, to get higher revs out of each gear, in order for it to perform decently. Unfortunately, when in tow- mode, it down-shifts like a jake-brake!

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  There YOU go, Euro car? - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Phil - May 7 - 3:21 pm

  40k miles. Panoramic roof is why I bought it, & like best. Have a Benz & a BMW. Foreign car snobs diss the handling. I prefer it over the Benz, & its different, but about equal in fun to the Beamer, but with better leg room up front. This car is what the family picks to ride. Stereo is great. Ride & handling surprisingly good. Dead Quiet at 70MPH Electronic controls in ice / snow best of the luxury cars. Hard to make it do something bad when teaching kids to drive on ice. Mine doesnt rattle. Wood steering wheel & heated seats are nice. Doors solid, stay solid. Dash appearance & vinyl visors cheesy compared to seats Service has been excellent. Looking for an 08 right now.