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:

• 

  Super Road Experience (SRX) - 2016 Cadillac SRX
  By EB - October 7 - 12:22 pm

  Last year available. AWD hard to locate vehicle, because of incentives cleared inventory.

• 

  My First Cadillac - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By TexasPhotographer - October 3 - 10:27 pm

  I like this car. However, the manual reads like it was written in a language other than English. Instead of providing information, the manual refers you to two other pages to get the information. The navigation system is nice, but difficult to learn and again the manual is little to no help. The seats are comfortable and I like the sporty ride. The glove compartment is way too small. I do not like the fact that when opening the trunk, it does not open fully. As a photographer I have arms full of equipment. I would have liked the trunk to open so I could put the equipment in the trunk instead of on the ground so I can manually open the trunk. Not a convenient feature.

• 

  Still love it - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By gregggg - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I had the truck less than a week and realized it was leaking oil. Took it back and it was repaired. Dealing with the dealership about the little bugs with a new car was a nitemare but the truck is incredible. Fast, smooth great sound system. I even had the chance to race an acura with it and won... not off the line but after a few seconds I cought up and passes them. Its big though... cant be affraid of driving if you are buying this truck

• 

  Cadillac Attack - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By mikpower - September 27 - 2:00 am

  This car is hot! Just bought it and love it. Pretty good on gas everyone does a double take when they see this car. Great power with excelent handeling for its size. I like a more spacous car not a small car like the BMW or Audi too small. Previosly owned BMW 530 this car handles better and is faster and gets more looks. i had a lot of problems with that BMW never get one. Hope this car is reliable, too soon to tell.

• 

  My CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Joey53 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  MY 2003 IS BY FAR ONE OF THE BEST CARS I HAVE EVER OWNED. ITS A GREAT LOOKING CAR WITH LOTS OF BELLS AND WHISTLES.....AND THE PRICE IS UNBEATABLE. I ENJOY DRIVING THIS CAR SO MUCH. THERE IS PLENTY OF POWER FROM THE V6 ENGINE. I THINK CADILAC REALLY SPENT THE TIME TO DEVELOPE THIS CAR INTO A WINNER. I WILL DEFINATELY BUY ANOTHER ONE, ONCE MY LEASE IS EXPIRED.

• 

  Cool Car - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By complife - September 24 - 2:57 pm

  Even though I have owned this car 18 months, I have just returned from my first 300 mile trip driving my White Diamond 2006 CTS 3.6 and I enjoyed the drive all the way there and back. It handled great (even on the Blue Ridge Parkway), the XM radio kept great company (no having to hunt for local stations), and I felt secure in knowing OnStar was with me all the way! This is my second Caddy - my first was a 1991 DeVille that I traded for the CTS. Oh yes, I got two compliments on my "pretty car" while at the resort!

• 

  I Cant Let It Go! - 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By "BIG BLUE" - September 23 - 12:25 pm

  I truly appreciate my 93 Fleetwood Brougham called Big Blue. I purchased this car with 70,000 miles in 99 for $12,650 and now it has 255,443 miles, and it has never let me down. The engine,trans,differential,exhaust are all original (never rebuilt or replaced) I maintain it regularly & completely. I enjoy driving and I have traveled from D.C. to Colorado(numerous times), Texas, North Carolina,& Florida. I drive 76 miles to and from work every weekday on one 23 gallon tank of gas and I still have fuel left for the weekend. This car has a smooth ride(a big long rear-wheel-drive ride) and pretty good power too(even though the power was further improved in 94-96 240 horsepower LT1 engine).

• 

  Snow Joke - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By CawfeeTawk - September 22 - 9:59 am

  While Ive thoroughly enjoyed the way this car handles and drives, its a nightmare in the snow. Long Island,NY had only 3 snowy days, one with real accumulation. This car couldnt even negotiate a one inch ridge of icy snow leaving me unable to get of a parking space. I needed to be towed a few times over the winter because the rear wheel drive is so inadequate (even with "Stabili-trac & snow traction engaged). I never had this issue with front wheel drive cars and I would never buy or lease a rear-wheel-drive vehicle again. With that said, if an all-wheel-drive version is available and affordable, Id be in it in a NY minute.

• 

  Thunder Gray - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By caddi-cts - September 21 - 1:27 pm

  Great car shows Cadillac understands how to put together great product. Exclellent styling, edgy, unique and attractive. On a cost basis, performance exceeds competitors, and seems a better value. Love the evolution to the 08 as well. Cannot wait to see the new CTS in Thunder Gray with in a coupe next year (maybe GM will do rumored convertible). If so, I may have to trade mine in on a new one.

• 

  Cadillac STS Awd - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Cadillac STS - September 15 - 12:39 pm

  Ive had my STS 14 months now.I dont know what problems other people are having, but my STS has not seen the dealer since I bought it. The only thing I have done is changed oil at 9400 miles and rotate the tires at the same time. I average 20 mpg , not bad could be better. The exterior design is beautiful, although standard wheels should be 18s. The interior is beautiful with exception of cheap hard plastics on the center stack. Seats are to firm. Overall I love the car, well that is until I saw the 08 CTS. I kind of feel like I am driving an old mans car next to the new CTS.