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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  Excellent - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Michelle - June 15 - 5:00 am

  Great car! I recommend it to everyone, especially those with children and those who travel!

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  2ND Time Around! - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By Transporter - June 11 - 11:21 pm

  Had a 2002 Escalade and found a great deal on new 2006 AWD that had been on the lot. Some minor changes such as XM stereo, navigation, phone from the 2002. Rides a little smoother. All in all another great SUV. Have averaged 18.5 MPG on freeway a liitle better than the 2002 which was 17.5. No one mistakes this Cadillac SUV for just another SUV.

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  Best Caddie I owned - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By steve - June 10 - 7:46 am

  I just bought this 98 and fist day I was a little uncomfortable till I found the right seat setting and I started a love affair with the car. To get in and sit down a smile from ear to ear comes across my face. Stomp on the throtle and the car flies like a 1970 Elderado. I am impressed. Handles the best of any Caddie I owmed. I have to watch the speed because I seem to do 80 pulling out on the highway. The car looks new and everyone loves the car and asks about it. She is a keeper for the long run.

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  CTS will spoil you - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By tammy - June 4 - 10:00 am

  You will not want any other car once a CTS spoils you. Only downside: so high-tech/state-of- the-art that it will take you awhile to learn all fancy features.

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  97 deville - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By cp - June 2 - 10:47 am

  I loved this car. Luxury, good mileage 19-21 mpg. Excellent ride. Im not a kid, and Im not in a hurry, Im into comfort. We live 20 miles in a rural setting in California. We drive a lot. I also have a Prius for my sales job, 45 plus mpg, 40,000 a year, but when we go out, we always take the DeVille.

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  Great truck - 2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By ALAN - June 1 - 8:06 pm

  I bought yj his truck to replace my avalanche, it is great,use it on my ranch for everything, much more power than the avalanche, have had no problems with it.Bought it certified with 36,000 miles and really enjoy driving it, and it looks great.

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  OUTSTANDING - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By STEVE A CRAWFORD - May 28 - 10:00 am

  VEHICLE IS GREAT OVERALL,HANDLING GREAT,LUXURIOUS NOT TOO BAD ON MILEAGE I MUST SAY DID GOOD ON A 25OO MILE ROUND ROAD TRIP AND HELD TOGETHER PRETTY WELL.

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  Solid Caddy - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By James - May 27 - 7:37 pm

  My wife bought this car new and currently has 99,000+ miles on it. Its had a full brake job, tires, normal stuff. Gets 25 mpg in everyday driving, outstanding! Nice big safe roomy automobile. Minus, you never have to wory about an oil change, it does this itself, just change filter. Dealer said normal for 2-3 quarts every 3000 miles. An aluminum engine you know. GM must fix this problem before well consider another Caddy.

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  About time for Cadillac - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Rocko - May 27 - 10:26 am

  This is my second Cadillac. My first was a 1986 Eldorado which was pure junk. But Cadillac has hit a homerun with the CTS. I also own a Corvette and the CTS is the 4dr version. This car came equipped with the luxury and sport packages. The styling is bold and is recongnizable a mile away. Performance and handling equal the German and Japanese rivals. Its also equipped with OnStar, XM and a great navigation system. You need patience to program everything but once done it all works well together. Thanks GM

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  Great Cadillac - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Ken Bott - May 23 - 2:30 pm

  I have had my Catera for two years now and except for an oil leak it has ran flawlessly. From minus 30 to 120 degress all acros the nation not problems.