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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  Tough to Beat - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By MR T - November 19 - 12:55 pm

  I just leased a 2007 Cadillac STS V6 all wheel drive. This car is a blend of performance, luxury, and technology. With the V6 you have enough power and all wheel drive should give me great control in the winter. This is not your Fathers Cadilliac. It has a smooth ride with enough power to keep your attention. The interior is luxurious. I chose this car over the BMW 5 series, E350 Benz, Lexus GS, and Infiniti M45. I chose the STS because its luxury, performance, and lease incentives. The sticker was $52,000 and I leased it for $612 a month with nothing down. This car competes with the others in its class too. When I look at the US cars most of them are not worthy to compete in this class. The STS is. This is the new Caddy!

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  cadillac escalade ext - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By geoffpmo - November 19 - 10:00 am

  The rating system here doesnt do this truck justice. It definitly deserves a rating higher than 10. This vehicle is in a league of its own.

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  Excellent Car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Gus Solana - November 15 - 5:39 pm

  I have had no problems with this car in almost four years. I just had to change a stop light bulb. I love my CTS.

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  MY VETTE - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By NOVAJAKE - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Got my CTS 2 weeks ago and I dont want to get out of it. I always wanted a vette but I couldnt be happier with my blue CTS.Car looks and drives great. Getting alot of complements everywhere I go.I actually enjoy my drive to work now. i looked at AUDI A4, G35, VOLVO S60, FELL IN LOVE WITH THE NEW LOOK,

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  Amazed - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Jetboy - November 11 - 11:17 pm

  I truly expected to have some problems with this car being limited production and a new design with complicated electronics and top but to my amazement it has been totally trouble free for 16,000 miles now with hundreds of top down cycles. I was considering a Vette when I found this, much better choice for comfort while not giving up much in handling or performance.

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  2006 Cadillac SRX V8 - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By R. Sherlock - November 11 - 8:53 am

  The car is fun and exciting to drive. Its acceleration is excellent. The creature comforts are all there.

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  SRXisSensational - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By hate2land - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Acquired this V6-SRX-RWD in June for my wife. Im "breaking it in" for her; But, truth be told,I cant part with it. The 5-speed auto SNAPs off the shifts with precision if I need to get on it. The V6s variable valve timing pumps torque right out of the chute and hits 255 ft/lbs around 2800RPM. Feels like my Mustang-GT. And it can run nicely on regular gas. Build quality is excellent! Seams are all in alignment: no gaps. Excellent seats and power adjustments. Stock stereo rocks. Handling and ride really surprised me. Much better than any GM product Ive been around. European feel. Only 3800 miles so far but only one problem. Cadillac has a software bug: the two trip meters zero out

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  CTS - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Angela - November 9 - 4:15 pm

  I love everything about my Cadillac CTS, except for a couple of things. It would be better if it were a little roomier and also if the passenger seat was automatic and not manual. Other than those small annoyances the car is perfect and overall I love it!

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  The Best Caddy - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By limoman - November 8 - 4:04 pm

  The DeVille Concours is the clear winner if you want that full luxury feel, but with agility. It is a flawless car in terms of maintenance and quality. I wish someone now could make such a luxurious interior.

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  A Luxury Car that is Undervalued - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By frank - November 8 - 10:12 am

  Ive owned many luxury cars and find this years Cadillac DTS to be a great value for the money. It rides great, has good design details, and its fit and finish are greatly improved, offering a comfortable ride with plenty of room and cargo space.