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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  Good Car (If you can afford it) - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By ihswim - October 12 - 2:00 am

  With in the last couple of years the car has held its own in repairs. Only the tranny has needed replacement in the past 3 years. But before that, everything seemed to go wrong. Tranny replaced after 3 months, new radiator and belts.

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  2005 Cadillac SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Merle - October 1 - 5:16 am

  My 2005 Cadillac SRX is still a new vehicle, but so far so great! It has a very cool and unique looking exterior design. I have the V6, which seems to have plenty of power for this vehicle. The enormous sunroof is amazing. It has plenty of room inside, but not a huge SUV feel. It also has a very smooth ride on the highway, a terrific sound system (Bose), and rich looking interior. I havent tested it in much snow yet, I but am confident its all I need.

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  My 3rd CTS - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By PittDriver - September 29 - 6:36 am

  Leased an 03 and then an 05. The new 08 improves on every aspect of the CTS both the good and the not so good. Huge improvements in the interior. Ride, suspension, handling all even better than before, and the handling was already great. Im delighted to see GMs initial success in design mature so well. Growing up, I loved Caddies so its satisfying to be driving one as a grown up. (Brings out the teen in me when Im behind the wheel.) My CTS is, without any exceptions or explanations, every bit as good or better than what Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus and Infiniti can turn out for the money. Thats improtant to me, since it would be great to keep driving cars like this made by GM.

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  New Fan of CTS - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By cadaddy - September 29 - 4:33 am

  This is my first venture into the luxury market and the CTS is a real nice blend of luxury and performance. The size is just right and the features are great for a personal car. A 6 CD dash-mounted player, satellite radio and OnStar handle all the entertainment and the 3.6L engine is strong enough for quick driving (I couldnt justify getting the more expensive V-series and its potential for speeding tickets). My only complaint is an amplifier that has not performed a few times, rendering the radio silent. It was diagnosed and will soon be fixed when I get the time. I got the redline color and the 17 inch chrome wheels. It is a beautiful car, although I may lose it to my wife.

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  caddy is over rated - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By caddycadcad - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this off some guy at what i thought was a great bargain until I drove it home. The computer does not stop with error messages: "service ride control", a/c refridgerent too low (even though I just filled it), my odometer stopped moving, my ac doesnt work anymore, my radiator leaks and I have only owned it three days!!! Above all, it wont go into fourth gear. On the highway, for example, it stays in third. Worst purchase ever. Should have kept my Town Car.

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  From a Catera to a real Cadi - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By excateraowner - September 28 - 2:00 am

  I was sure I would never buy another Cadi, the Catera was my only bad experience with GM. I drove, and bought a DEVILLE and words could not describe the difference. You have to try it to love it!

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  What 2 do? - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By luxury fred - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I love to drive this car. Very comfortable. Very appealing to the eye, get tons of comments. Fast, sporty, and luxurious. Ive heard many, but Bose 8 speaker sound system is definitely one of the best factory system out there. Ive had the car for over a year and only major problem has been a recall item, but I hear of some mechanical problems. Thinking of selling. But at the price they are goin for now, would recommend but beware of repair cost.

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  Unexpected Problems after 20,000 miles - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By jkvccrc - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Perfect for first 20k miles. Then Crankcase sensors, front end problems, and now the battery post broke and fell off.As the battery is under the rear seat, who knew? and the acid filled the well under the seat.Mechanic said it is not unusual and the acid may eat thru the metal. Love the car, hate the reliability. Thank goodness for the warranty, but it has to go.

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  Never again - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By teleman - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I have never owned a vehicle that gave me as much irrating trouble as this one. What kind of trouble you ask? How about the oil consumption, 3-4 quarts between oil changeS. You would think they would recal the things for the fix. Instead, they want us to pay for it. Then there is the notorius oil leak. Then there are the ever present sensor problems and the Cadillac electric window problems. My brother just bought a CTS. After only 10K miles, had to have a new rack put on it. Then the elec problems started. What a joke! I would NEVER OWN ANOTHER CADILLAC! Cadillac sucks as far as a quality automobile...IMHO

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  Fun to Drive But.... - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By MFK - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Everyone comments on how much fun this car is to drive . I absolutely agree. Most of the time I feel as if the car is on rails. I have never felt a false momment in control of the road. BUT this car is hell on passengers. Washboard surfaces can shake teeth loose and no on has ever ridden in this car with me who has not complained that they feel car sick from all the jittering and bouncing they take from the ride. If you have a family, you had better take them with you to see if they can stomach to ride. I have resigned myself to lonely but throughly enjoyable driving experiences in the CTS.