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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  DTS - Better Than Any MB, BMW or Jag - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By racer - February 28 - 3:42 am

  Driving the new DTS is the most user friendly experience ever. It does for luxury what the 07 Corvette does for performance. You dont have to spend a fortune to have the best ride on the road - this car looks great and gives the passengers a feeling of safety and comfort that is top level and impressive.

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  I Like My SRX - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Kurt - February 26 - 7:08 pm

  This is a great crossover. We moved from a larger SUV to the SRX. It drives like a car and still has most of the space of our larger SUV. It is fun to drive.

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  Love this Car! - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By doug - February 25 - 11:35 pm

  I bought it used and I have to tell the world, this car rocks. It has a super sound system, looks awesome (White Pearl), handles nicely, has lots of zoom, and the gas mileage is not bad if I keep my foot out of it. I love beating the Mustang GT kids off the lights. What a blast. I love my Caddy.

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  Best Truck For The Money - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Lincohn Ho - February 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is awesome. The V8 engine is just great, very powerful.

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  I LOVE THIS MONSTER - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By MR M - February 25 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY 3RD ESCALADE AND THEY JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER

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  WOW! - 2006 Cadillac XLR
  By Lance - February 22 - 11:23 pm

  I love my new car. It is somewhat rare and a real head turner. I moved up to it from an 06 Vette. I have had some issues with the GPS not logging in, but it should be fixed soon.

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  2009 Cadillac SRX .... last of the 1st generation! - 2009 Cadillac SRX
  By J R Gordon - February 22 - 9:04 pm

  If you are looking for comfortable, mid-sized+ SUV, that typically has had good care and prior ownership, I recommend the Cadillac SRXs of 2008-2009. Handling is very good, comfort is excellent, gas mileage is OK.

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  Rock & Roll! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Spadalac - February 20 - 2:00 am

  At the age of 39 I the age group that Cady is focusing on to make their comeback. I can tell you that they have NOT disappointed. This vehicle is one of the most enjoyable rides that I have ever driven and I am not comparing to SUVs only. Comfort, handling, response are all top notch. The interior is roomy and sporty although not as nice as I would have wanted. This car is pure heavenly to drive however the price tag is steep and GM may have a harder time selling a vehicle at this price to GenX ers like myself.

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  04 CTS w/3.6 litre VVT - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By MB man - February 20 - 2:00 am

  Bought this as a return to Cadillac after 10 years of Mercedes. Still have one but thought I would give the CTS a try. I am very pleased with the handling and performance of this vehicle. I do not have enough miles to give a reliability rating but it finally feels like Caddy got this right. It wanders a little more than a real german car at high speeds and does not feel quite as solidly stuck to the ground, but for 40 grand I am so far pleased.

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  Excelent Car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By JBL - February 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the first caddy in 50 years to have manual transmission!!..lol anyways, it has good acceleration, great comfort and great value...what more could you ask for