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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  Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Driver - December 27 - 12:27 pm

  Of the 48 cars I have owned so far, including MB, Lincoln, Bentley and Volvo, this is easily the best in terms of fun to drive, reliability and comfort. Many of the Asian cars had no power passenger seat many insisted on 4 wheel drive which I neither need nor want. Caddy built this one for me and Im delighted.

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  Best Crossover Available - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Oso - December 27 - 7:50 am

  I drove all of the competition (M3 & 5, Mazda CX-7, Acura RDX, Nissan Murano, VW Touareg, Mercedes R350, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford Freestyle) and went back to the Caddy dealer. This is the most fun to drive large vehicle Ive ever owned and this is the 30th car/truck Ive had in 35 years. My Vette was more fun to drive but not worth a darn for hauling groceries and lousy in the snow. Its fit and finish are excellent and I love the edgy styling, it doesnt look like all of the other cookie cutter, big rounded box SUVs on the road. Drive one, you wont be disappointed.

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  Caddy Rating - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By brunise k. warren - December 25 - 12:41 pm

  This vehicle is an excellent buy and the only thing I would change is the wheel selection that comes with the vehicle. The 20 inch rims should come standard with this vehicle.

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  Love this Car - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Me - December 24 - 7:34 pm

  I just recently bought this car back in November and am glad that I did. It has so many features you would not expect in a car that is this old. The Northstar is an awesome engine and burns a little oil. The styling of the car is really nice as well.

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  Sexy Beast - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By MGD - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot of research before I bought this car. I test drove several cars, I went to the car show and considered every car under 45,000. In the end the CTS was the car that really stood out from the rest. My wife told me that if I were going to buy a car in that range I should get one that looked like it was. I got one with every option except the navigation system. Its garnet red and its about as sexy as a car can be. I love driving it, looking at it, playing with all the toys and showing it off.

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  Very Nice Car - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Dave - December 23 - 6:03 pm

  I just recently bought this car. I was going to buy a newer LS but saw this car for sale and decided to drive it. I was really impressed. Its handling is great and EXTREMELY responsive. The car has 145,000 miles on it and it runs fine. I probably will only have it for another year, but it will keep me satisfied. I might stick with another Cadillac for my next car.

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  I Cant Believe Its Not a V8. - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By American cars only! - December 23 - 10:58 am

  I traded in my 2000 STS with the 300HP Northstar engine for my new STS all wheel drive with the 6-cyl. engine. I had low expectations concerning its performance, but I am very impressed by how responsive and fun to drive this car is. I have put 2,500 miles on it so far and the car is defect free. The car is the same weight as my old STS but it feels much more light and nimble. Overall, I am delighted with it.

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  Cadillac - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Cadillac - December 23 - 8:34 am

  This is the best car I ever owned. It has a great ride, handles well, and has lots of extras that make driving more fun.

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  Love this SUV! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Marlita - December 22 - 10:00 am

  After test driving several, very uncomfortable SUVs, I got in the SRX, accelerated, and drove off the lot the very same day!

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  New CTS owner - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By austinjim - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought the CTS after owning 3 Maximas. Thought I would be getting another Maxima (2005), but after test driving the CTS, I ran to the dealer and put my money down on the table. Love the car-- great looks, great drive. Still somewhat paranoid about buying an American car, but with the 4 yr/ 50,000 mile warranty, I feel less so. The JD Powers recent review of Cadillac also ups my confidence level in the car. My last American car was a 1974 Vega- Fiasco. Hoping that the CTS lasts me 7- 8 years, my usual time of ownership for a car.