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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  Dont sleep on this one ! - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By PMP - July 18 - 2:24 pm

  Bought used with 120k from a guy who didnt really keep up on the maintenance but I got her back to 100% in no time. Replaced the crank sensors (very common) I suggest you replace them before they go @ around 100k miles. Also replaced the cat (common as well) $300 so again not a big deal on a $53k car. The car uses about 2qts of oil every 3k miles which is common on northstars. Again not a big deal, just keep up on your oil changes. Ive owned alot of high end cars (audi,mercedes,jaguar,bmw) and must say this caddy is right up there with them ! I get compliments everywhere I go and its 8 yrs old ! Navigation is also easier to use than most factory units. Stop thinking go buy one !

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  2005 Cadillac STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By frogs - July 16 - 2:36 pm

  The STS is a beautiful auto. It drives like a sedan but performs like a rocket. It is fast, sleek and a blast to drive. =0)

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  3.6L Auto CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Bobbo S - July 16 - 2:00 am

  The 3.6L 6cyl auto. Outstanding performance. I have driven the competition, and do not find much of a difference. Seems to be a good blend of its European competitors.

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  The special aftermarket packages u need - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By fjordan - July 14 - 8:20 pm

  right, there are 2 pacakges you definitely need to add in addtional to the bare-bone base model (V6 RWD). 1. luxury package . (Not lux-performance pkg, which is a hoax and buy you nothing more than more cost of gasoline...) 2. After market: wood-view package. the reason is that the original design of SRXs central panel is a bit blackish, and the added flavor of wood trim will make the interior 200% more gorgeous, classic and impressive. Beyond these 2 packages, the Caddy SRX seats are just as comfortable as any mercedes. The acceleration is the best in the bunch as compared with Porsche Cayenne or X5.

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  Amazing Car, GM is Getting There - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By exm22psu - July 13 - 1:00 pm

  Overall I really love this car, and I am picky. The steering feel, ride, and all the features for the price are hard to beat. On top of that, Caddy has a signature style with this car that sets it apart in looks and handling. That said, there are still some quality issues they need to address. There were some paint issues (underspray), a shaky side mirror, and creaks. Nothing too bad but these things should not take place on any car of this class. I would tell anyone to check out CTS before buying an import. This car has it all.

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  very poor service - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By doris haskin - July 13 - 1:26 am

  worst car i have ever owned, not worth the money, leather cracked and peeling at 3 yrs old. the interior is poorly constructed with very little space. the service is poor at the dealership. i was informed that my exhaust system needs to be replaced because i must have hit sometime underneath because there is a small scratch on it but no scratch on the rear bumper, how is that possible. poor service and poorly constructed car. car was cheap, with a high price tag

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  A Made (Only) In America Experience - 2009 Cadillac XLR
  By Brint GN - July 12 - 9:56 am

  This Car is an absolute exhilarating Experience.. The First thing everyone expresses is the Sharpness of the Composite Stealth Look.. After that and in order is the inside beauty, then the Top, then the Windshield Display after starting with the Keyless Entry.. Once on the streets and highway it is the unsurpassed Thrill of pure POWER that puts an over welming smile on the Drivers Face and the Braking and Steering is unreal it is so good.. The Advanced Radar Cruise Control is incredible and works flawlessly.. On twisty roads at night the 15 degree "Turn with the road" lights are Great.. This car is so much fun to drive that the 9 Speaker Bose System almost seems like an after thought..

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  2006 DTS Luxury III - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By bsdtwd - July 11 - 5:30 pm

  Traded my 2000 DHS for the 2006 DTS Luxury III w/ Navig. Great car. Bose system is fantastic, navigation is nice but limited to larger metro. areas. Cruised Interstate at 31.02 Mpg. Massage seats, rear sunshade and cooled seats are a plus. Fat Big Ride at 28+ mpg. Go get one!

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  great spirited vehicle - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Bob in Las Vegas - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable, quick, fun to drive...these are just a few of the things that come to mind when thinking about the SRX. I have the V8 with Power luxary group. A great ride!

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  Excellent Value for a Luxury Sedan - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By CZ - July 9 - 8:00 pm

  First time owning a sedan and loving it. High quality finishes, fun to drive, and comfortable on long trips.