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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  Psychological lift at the end of the day - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Young at Heart - October 28 - 9:20 am

  This car is so fun to drive: it erases the memory of minor setbacks during the work day. My choice has satisfied my objectives of getting a fun to drive, cool, unique, AWD vehicle with heated seats. This car is easy to maintain and safe. To think I might have settled for a less inspired Japanese crossover. Thanks Cadillac!

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  Best Ever - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By jean - October 27 - 6:19 pm

  This is the sixteenth new Cadillac we have bought and the best one ever. It makes you feel safe. Its easy to drive, to park, has navigation, OnStar, and all around audio is fantastic. I plan to keep this car a long time.

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  Keeps getting better with age... - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Cadillac Mike - October 26 - 9:36 pm

  Ive had this car for nearly seven years and it is holding up very well, no leaks or corrosion, and aside from the usual items that one would expect to wear out at 180,000 miles. It hasnt had any repair surprises either. This is the last of the big rear wheel drive Cadillacs and it tows my boat effortlessly. I replace the fuel gauge sending unit and it now reads accurately. I still cant figure a way to get rid of the digital dash though. The leather seats are not showing any wear. The misses likes this car for long trips. Her boss calls it the presidential limousine, which is appropriate since the 1995-2000 presidential limos were based on this car.

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  My Daily Driver of Choice - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By moneyfornothing - October 24 - 9:13 pm

  Ive owned an Audi, a BMW, and a Lexus. None of those satisfy me like the STS Northstar. It has lots of power, the best handling sedan Ive driven, PERFECT Audio by Bose, great engine tone, and luxurious appointments. I drive nearly 80 miles every day so comfort and fun are important to me. None of my previous luxury cars have held up well. My Corvette is still my weekend car though. I am thrilled with this car, but when the time comes, Id love to get an XLR-V (yeah, I just need to save for 2 years :-D). I suggest you stop looking after Cadillac. No BMW, Audi, or Lexus will compare, and I have experience with them all.

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  Satisfied Owner of a Black on Black Cadd - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Franklin Gerwe - October 24 - 7:05 pm

  This vehicle is exceptional all the way around!. One problem area is A/C fan assembly. This car has had two replacements, one in 2003 and one in 2006. The module in the fan housing/assembly, that controls fan speed, fails without warning. The vehicle is garaged in Florida.

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  Escalade EXT = HOT, HOT, HOT - 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By CadillacCasey - October 24 - 10:53 am

  The new Cadillac Escalade EXT is the phattest Cadillac ever! It is a major upgrade over the 06 model. Everything from the styling, engine, and cabin is better. Its by far the hottest vehicle on the road!

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  Hot and Awsome - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By hot and awsome - October 21 - 6:49 pm

  The new 2007 Cadillac Escalade has the hottest body styling on the market right now. The car is tuned for speed, but still can be driven comfortably. The engine is wisper quiet while crusing on the highway, but wakes up instantly with one touch of your right foot. So if youre looking for a luxury SUV with the heart of a sports car this is the buy for you.

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  Youve Gotta Have One of These... - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Dean - October 19 - 12:49 am

  The 2007 Cadillac Escalade is one teriffic vehicle. I puchased all the available options with no regret. Finally, a car company not afraid to put in a remote engine starter as standard fair. Dont even get me started on the awsome cooled seats. I found about 15 little features that arent even documented, did you know the heat/air fan automatically slows (quiets) when you make a phone call so the noise doesnt interfere with the call? How about just touching the turn indicator for half a second and the turn indicator continues to flash 4 additional times. Cool stuff. The ride in this vehicle is truly the best. This truck is worth the expense. I love the new look and interior.

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  2006 DTS Review - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By JimM - October 18 - 6:11 am

  I truly love my DTS. Its exterior design is great for me. Its interior comfort / design are also very nice. My wife loves the seats and interior layout. I had to take into the dealer two times, once for air noise in the sunroof and once when the windshield washer didnt work. Both were easy fixes, but a car that is less than one year old, shouldnt have problems. ITs gas milage is just OK, I average 22.8 mpg in mixed hwy/city driving. The engine does rock when needed and the ride is smooth and comfortable.

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  Happy Owner - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Delilah North - October 17 - 5:17 pm

  I love this car. It looks good, handles great and really performs on the highway. I would recommend it to anyone that appreciates a quality automobile.