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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  I love it! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Ms. SRX - October 26 - 3:33 am

  Buying this SUV was an excellent choice. It is the perfect size, specifically when you have kids (it is not too tall.) The powered third row is a plus! The entertainment system is excellent, specifically the location of the DVD! However, it is noisy. You will hear everything around you even if you have the radio and AC on.

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  GM Gets It Right! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Barry - October 25 - 3:53 pm

  Dont want a car, Dont want a truck, this crossover is for you!Looks great inside & out.Handles flawlessly even with its 265 HP.My SRX is loaded with rear DVD & chrome wheels.You get a lot for the $ & big savings from competitors.Take one for a ride, youll love it!

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  Under Rated - 2010 Cadillac DTS
  By northernwisconsin - October 24 - 4:42 pm

  While I have nothing against the foreign models, the repair costs for a Benz are high. I have an 06 DTS with 36M and the car is great. Good build quality. A great highway cruiser. It seems like the press is locked in the 80s calling the car a floater for handling etc. The DTS does everything expected of it with class. The engine and trans are bulletpoof. Local transmission shop says they never see the Caddy trans for overhaul. The post-05 seats are excellent and fit 6 footer. The car is no more heavy than Lexus. The DTS design could use a freshening with some GM money. But I have no complaints and have been pleasantly surprised at how competent the vehicle is.

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  Cadillac SRX - at the top with no second - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Lawrence - October 23 - 4:27 pm

  This vehicle exceeds anything I can imagine. The quality of the vehicle and the interior - everything to a tee.. never thought a V6 would deliver quick driving and quiet at the same time - gas mileage is out of the chute at an average of 25 mpg with limited downtown driving. The style steps over any other.. in a class by itself. Lot of room and cozy interior. Love it !!

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  Moms car - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Les - October 23 - 2:59 am

  Good quality and much better mileage than advertised. Only issues I have is Im 60" and theres a blind spot where the rear view mirror is that blocks forward vision for me but mnot my wife. I wish I could find a way to lower the seat. Dealer service has been excellent.

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  raditor vent noise - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Leo Dagovich - October 22 - 7:58 pm

  I have Cadillac Escalade 2007 for 2.5 yrs... After last tune up got very unpleasant radiator vent noise every time remotly start engine, plus offen vent on when outside 50 F ....Mentioned to dealership,- statement from GM "consultant" - normal for Escalade!!!??? I was tying to find anyone else complaint about this problem- none to be found....Noise very loud and Im getting multiple comments b/o it.... What to do next? Help,please!

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  Great car, nice ride. - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By sp4rt4nz - October 22 - 8:46 am

  My first American car, after several Japenese sedans. The styling and build quality are excellent. Ive had a few quirky problems, but no less reliable than the Toyotas, Infiniti, and Nissans that Ive owned. The CTS has been much more reliable than the G35 which I traded. The CTS has been a low maint vehicle as I do oil changes and tire rotation only every 10K miles. Ive been averaging 20 mpg in mixed driving, which is a bit disappointing, but it only requires non-premium fuel. This is no BMW, but I also paid $7K less than a comparably equipped 3- series and the CTS is much roomier for a 6ft. 200lb driver.

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  PLEASE PLEASE DONT BUY THIS HEAP - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By jmorris - October 21 - 11:16 pm

  Since I only have 700 words, Ill stick to the major issues. ENGINE had to be REPLACED completely at 50,000 miles!! Apparently, it burned up all of its oil and seized. POWER STEERING PUMP had to be REPLACED completely. No explanation given. ABS and TRACTION CONTROL module flooded during heavy rain (its on the bottom of the chasis). Brakes worn out pre-maturely. Rear Windshield washer NEVER worked. Suspension system making strange noises. Overall, in the 10 months that weve owned this heap, it has spent at total of 1 entire month in the shop, at a cost of over $5000 over the warranty. And dont get me started about the terrible Cadillac Dealer Experience. We are going to Hyundai.

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  Only 49,000 Miles and... - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By Gene Fitchburg Ma. - October 20 - 3:36 pm

  Just purchased this car from its original owner who kept it garaged and never driven in rain or snow. Picked it up for a song. $900. I thought I hit the lottery. The body is perfect with a couple small dings and scratches. But from sitting so long the pay off was not at all what I expected. Only 49K and had to replace the tranny costing $1800. Fixed the Cruise, blinker, A/C, Rear shocks are next and heater core is believed to be clogged. The performance and ride are tight and squeak free. She gets up and goes! I thought I was just going to do a little touch up work on the dings and all my money went into fixing the quirks. :(

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  NOT YOUR GRANDFATHERS BOAT - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By NORTHSTAR GUY - October 20 - 9:21 am

  Just traded my 04 Deville - which I loved but wanted to upgrade. The 06 DTS is chock full of features and is tuned much differently than the previous model. Feels more Euro and has a throatier exhaust and more road feel. Seats are way more supportive. Solid as a rock though and is still a wonderful example of what makes big American cars different from the rest