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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  wish i had my 2000 deville back - 2008 Cadillac DTS
  By dan beth - September 24 - 7:55 pm

  i was the proud owner of a 2000 deville and just loved the car! my wife decided to upgrade & we bought the 2008 dts. i think the new one is not as quiet or smooth as the 2000, also it has that same whining noise at approx 15 to 30 mph i read about in another review, also it gets somewhat sluggish at 45 mph, no idea why it does that. the 2000 had much softer & comfortable seats, anyway my wife loves the car but im very disappointed, no way should it be 51000 dollars on the window!

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  the best - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Mc Guiness - September 23 - 10:00 am

  only the best. Caddy has just went above and beyond there name. The CTS with the sports package is the best car i have seen come form caddy in a long time. A real head turner

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  Will buy again - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By GARYSL - September 21 - 7:23 pm

  I bought my DTS Performance with much trepidation after years of Toyotas and Volvos. After almost 4 years with the exception of the brakes and gas mileage I couldnt be happier. Other than a very minor complaints this car has been exceptional! I have read many complaints about the factory tires and after 37,000. miles mine are just fine with regular rotation and correct pressures I believe they will easily reach 60k. Ill be very happy if they greatly improve gas mileage and add a 6 speed transmission. Its my sincere hope that comfort is not sacrificed for handling as I find the DTS handles extremely well with the various electronic handling augments.

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  This Cadillac Delivers - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By BigWes - September 20 - 10:55 am

  I rented 2010 SRX first to make sure I liked the cars offerings, and it won me over hands down. It is a bonifide Cadillac in every aspect. From the front grille to the tail lights it screams loud that it is GMs best. Smooth ride, solid handling, quality appointments and surperb brakes. I read a couple of reviews suggested a bigger engine was needed. I find the base 3.0 V6 quite sufficient for the task. Its responsive to throttle input and EPA mileage rating seems to be true. I LOVE this car and it was worth the wait for them to hit dealer showrooms. Keep making cars like this GM and you will regain the #1 auto maker spot soon.

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  Good but..... - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Waste - September 19 - 12:51 am

  I have a fully loaded 08, the back deck where the speakers are rattles terribly, along with bad back struts that rattle louder than the deck. people that ride with me think I have a bunch of empty paint cans in the trunk rolling around! Everything squeaks from the sunroof to the chairs. Plus the service hours are terrible at the dealer.

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  Wish I had bought a Lexus - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Alan - September 18 - 7:53 pm

  The CTS has many fine qualities - ride, stability, sound system, interior design. But the lack of certain features many of which are found on less expensive cars such a fog lights and a back-up camera, along with poor gas mileage (20% less than my 2003 CTS), and 7 days in the repair shop in the first 90 days of ownership tell me I should have bought a Lexus.

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  MY FIRST SUV - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By ED GLICK - September 18 - 10:00 am

  PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. DRIVES AND FEELS LIKE A CAR. WOULD LIKE IT TO BE A BIT PEPPYER. OVERALL ITS A WONDERFUL AUTOMOBILE AND AND A JOYU TO DRIVE. VERY COMFORTABLE.

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  Cadillac DeVille DHS - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Dman - September 16 - 3:09 am

  There are no complaints with this car, its a winner Handles well, smooth ride and quality in all areas. Great design and nice interior has this a a true favorite. AC in the rear for passengers own controls and back up sensors to alert driver. The seats have individual controls including that of your passengers. I have no complaints. None.

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  Best Sedan on the Market - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By JCP - September 15 - 10:03 pm

  This was a long process of comparing price ranges and ameneties, and Cadillac was the clear winner. I have the Sport & Luxury packages and for the money, could not be happier. If you like manual shifters, this is the smoothest in low to high speeds and gives punch when needed. Great car.

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  Love my Escalade - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Kelly J - September 14 - 9:42 am

  I love my 2005 Escalade. I bought it as a demo with 3000 miles on it in 2005. I have 80,000 miles on it now and havent had anything go wrong other than an issue with the heater fan, it wouldnt stop running even when off, so the dealership fixed it and havent had any other issues. It just now needs new brakes, other than that I havent put a dime into it as far as repairs go. I wanted to trade it in for a newer model, but I wasnt impressed with the interior on the new Escalades, my 2005 is much more plush and looks way better the new ones look cheap inside...no caddy logos in the seats? I just cant say enough good things about this SUV...I love it!