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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  Not what I expect from a Cadillac! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Margaret - February 10 - 12:12 pm

  This car has been nothing but a HEADACHE! It has been in for repairs more than any of the 8 vehicles that I have owned from other car makers. Seat belt, driver seat, sunroof, steering column, cylinder coil, catalytic converter, lower control arms, front rack and finally changed all engines rings and seals for oil consumption problem that they called normal. Cadillac knows there is an oil consumption problem with the SRX. They say it is normal, but this type of oil consumption is not normal for any vehicle. Do NOT purchase this vehicle! I will empty you wallet and the resale value is low. Our government should encourage them to recall these vehicles. At least Toyota took responsibility.

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  Not real impressed - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Joe - February 2 - 7:52 pm

  I traded my 2009 Buick Enclave in on this SRX, wished I didnt. Bought Luxury model but has alot of performance options 20" wheels. The ride is to stiff and noisy over uneven surfaces. I hear a noise like the front end is worn out when going over uneven surface like parking lots. This is not the ride I expected from all the years I wanted a Cadillac. Seat are leather and real stiff. Not enough room for me in the drivers seat and legs room, seat is all the way back too (I am 61"). Cadillac please go back to the drawing board with the ride, this is a CADILLAC!!!!! or it is supposed to be.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Cadillac CTS
  By Fertile12 - February 1 - 9:50 am

  Cadillac has degraded the CTS this year. Small conveniences have been remover, e.g. rain-sensing wipers, which are no longer available (and the dealer didnt even know about). The "easy-out" convenience rolls the seat back when the engine is stopped but the seat returns to the driving position when the door is opened, indicating poor, unthinking programming. That should be called easy-out but no easy-in.

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  CTS - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By swaz - January 29 - 8:12 pm

  I have owned my CTS since it had 8 miles. I got 75K miles out of the first set of brakes. I have maintained the car religiously. It is by far the worst car I have ever owned! I would not buy another Cadillac or any American car ever again. The quality stinks. The closer I have gotten to 100K miles the worse the car got. Was told by Capital in Atlanta, GA. "sorry, they didnt install an oil light in this year model". The car will alert you of everything, just not low oil.

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  Problem with Timing Chain - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By ppilsner - January 14 - 12:25 pm

  So excited to buy my first Cadillac. Certified pre-owned and have had regular oil changes. Manual says nothing about replacing this chain for the 3.6 engine, but does so for the 3.1. Just out of warranty, and paid off early. Chain broke with no warning whatsoever. Research and mechanics have said this should not have happened at this mileage. In the shop right now and were up to $2100 and counting. Anyone else had a problem with timing chain? Its just wrong! Dealer is not wanting to make any adjustments, passing me off to corporate office.....very unhappy with my decision to purchase this american car. Between brake and shock problems, its a regret.

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  This is no Cadillac! Keep your old SRX - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Ryan - January 12 - 9:13 am

  This is NOT a Cadillac, this is a "luxury version" of a Chevy Equinox, a small eco-SUV. Nowhere near as comfortable, useful, or fun to drive as our 2004 SRX (which is a TRUE Cadillac-designed vehicle). We were excited when we heard about the upcoming redesigned SRX for 2010, but now regret waiting. Going to get a low- mile or unsold 2009 SRX instead.

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  not so good - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By caddy owner - January 7 - 2:06 pm

  I have enjoyed leasing this caddy. I was so happy the day I picked up. Over the past 3 years the car has had some problem. There was about 4 recalls. I wore a hole through the driver side carpet. The outside chrome has come off. Gas tank lid spring broke. Knobs on the dash have worn off. I only avg 14 mpg. A bit under powered. Trunk and back seat way too small. The rims bust up very easy. Had to replace 2 of them in the past 2 years. The plus is the car looks great and does have a smooth ride. After driving the car for 3 years I would never buy one. Its just not a well made car for a stick price of $54,000.

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  What a poor design - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By handysandy - December 23 - 5:44 pm

  I drove the SRX around my dealers streets and thought it was somewhat underpowered but acceptable. Now that I have had it for a month I am sorry I did not take the GM return option. This car is underpowered and has the poorest ride I have ever experienced. A few comments have noted that the ride of this car is horrible. I would add that I have never had a Cadillac with such a bone jarring ride ( I have had six of them before this one) My wife and I need our seats back almost all the way. There is no way to put the back seats down to form a cargo area with front seats back.Dealer says ride and cargo problems are design. Dont buy this expensive dog!!

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  Extensive test drive only - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By sparky5858 - November 21 - 5:25 am

  We have a 2007 SRX about to end lease, and we took on of these for a test drive. Though we like the exterior styling and sunroof (both trump the rx 350), thats pretty much where it ends. The first thing the driver is presented with is a very clunky and archaic steering wheel adjustment mechanism. Even though our 2007 has mechanical tilt, at least theres actually some pivot. Not here. Very cheap feel. What is Caddy thinking? Drove it back to back with the GMC Terrain. Very similar feel for more than $10,000 more. Also, very sluggish and the ride quality was not that good. We actually thought the Terrain had a better ride. Caddy missed here. Well keep shopping, but leaning toward RX 350.

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  Dont buy a used Cadillac - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By GC - November 9 - 5:52 pm

  Bought this Seville with only 49k 3 months ago. I have put 470 miles on it. The car has already cost me over $3000 in repairs and it still needs Major work! A/c leaks! Heater core shot! Rear shocks rattle/leak!, transmission shot!, Cruise broke, turn signal return broke! Alternator shot! Power lumbar both sides broke! Leather cracking! This car looked to be in decent shape when I bought it. I knew I heard rattling from under neath but thought it was the wire wheel covers. It has been a true money Pitt and has been in the garage more then in my driveway and the gas mileage is the pitts as well. Don"t buy a used caddy period! I only paid $950 thought I was getting a great deal!