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:

• 

  Sunset Blue Beauty - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Barry from LI - January 28 - 8:39 pm

  I am very impressed with the performance and quality of the CTS. I had been driving BMWs for the past six years but wanted to "Buy American" this time and Cadillac was the way to go. I have the Luxury and 17-inch Sport Packages. The ride and seat comfort far exceed the BMW with only a small sacrifice in handling. It has great acceleration from the 3.6L engine with an automatic transmission. It also has outstanding maneuverability thanks to a super-tight turning circle.

• 

  Perfect Blend - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By great blend - January 28 - 10:50 am

  I have the 2007 AWD Escalade and if I had to sum it up the words would be "perfect blend." This SUV has more power than any other I have driven, so when I read that it is under powered by other reviews I dont know what their comparing it to? Maybe the Corvette. The improvements in the interior is one the main reasons I bought this vehicle. The nav system is very fast and full of information, while the Bose stereo system sounds incredible, the plasma screen DVD players in front and back are crystal clear. I have the optional 22" rims and to me this SUV still has a smooth ride and takes bumps well. So I say to people who consider this SUV compare apples to apples and you wont be disappointed.

• 

  Great Car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By LloydF - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This car was not even on my list, but after searching unsucessfully for a G35 with a manual tranny I gave it a look-and boy am I happy I did. IMHO the Infiniti has nothing on this car. The Infiniti has more horsepower, but it doesnt feel faster and it is MUCH louder. Also the Infiniti interior comes off cheap looking for a car in this class in comparison. Drive the Caddy and you instantly feel like youre driving an expensive car. I have owned a LOT of new cars and this one ranks above all save the Corvette. Like the Corvette the car is instantly recongnizable among the masses of 4 wheeled jelly beans on the road. I give the car a 9 out of 10.

• 

  Nice Drive - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By ike - January 24 - 8:49 pm

  I have had this vehicle for about six months, and I have to say that it is the best vehicle that I have ever owned. My last vehicle was an Expedition, and the motor, driving, interior, exterior of the Escalade are many times better. Great job in making me look so good while driving my vehicle. Just one thing bothers me, actually two. One is the fact that a vehicle like mine does not have a fuel button! I have to go outside:( and the engine key is so not "Cadillac", while other lesser vehicles have push button start ups, and all sort of nice keys, Cadillacs is disappointing. Besides that, this is the best large SUV on the freeway.

• 

  Fabulous Car in All Aspects - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Kent Bennet - January 23 - 3:09 pm

  Back in 96 I paid $52,000 for this car brand new with all the options and it has been worth every penny. The ride is very smooth and there is hardly any road noise. I really like the exterior styling and the chrome wheels looked nice as well. The interior was possibly my favorite part of the car, heated seats and the Bose system was awesome. The fuel economy was maybe my least favorite part, but the mileage was decent for a V8. The only problems was premature brake wear and a slight burning of oil. I had to add a quart every 3,000 miles. Other than that I had no problems with this car. I hope the new STS I bought will be just as good as this STS Seville. It had 181,000 miles and still ran very well.

• 

  A Very Comfortable Drive - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Steve - January 21 - 8:10 am

  This is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned and the visibility is great. The interior upgrade for this year is very evident. Im only getting about 16 mpg but the model is the AWD version so I expect it to be less. Early on it leaked oil due to a faulty galley plug, which was replaced under warranty. Two rear fender well pieces became delaminated/discolored and had to be replaced under warranty, but I dont think the color (Gold Mist) was matched properly. Im taking it to an independent body shop for a second opinion. If I am wrong, that will be the end of it. If not, it will be going back to the dealership.

• 

  great - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By jennifer holland - January 20 - 10:00 am

  i got my car in 2002 it is great

• 

  Fun Machine - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By HMH - January 19 - 1:29 pm

  With the V8 Northstar engine, this is a fun vehicle to drive. It has all the performance that one could ask for.

• 

  Pleasent Suprise - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By john - January 17 - 5:46 pm

  I spent 95% of my time looking at other cars and the final 5% looking at / researching the Cadillac SRX and wow was I surprised. Its kind of like finding that great restaurant / hotel / vacation spot and not wanting to tell anyone about it to keep it "exclusive."

• 

  Last of Its Breed - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By James M. Hare - January 13 - 1:08 pm

  My 01 Eldorado ETC has been a dream. It is absolutely perfect in every way. I have had ZERO maintenance or reliability issues with it. It only needs oil and gas. Its smooth, quiet, comfortable, fast, safe, and a joy to drive. The Eldorado is the pinnacle of the 2-door luxury sport coupes as far as Im concerned. The interior is comfortable, quiet, roomy (for its style), and well built. The engine is a marvel of technology and delivers amazing power and yet very good gas mileage.