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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  Definitly Top Five - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By GRSMITH - October 7 - 11:32 am

  The Cadillac STS is possibly one of the top five sport sedans competing in this market. Its handling is superb and its ride comfort is first rate. Ive had many compliments on its styling. Cadillac has built a winner.

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  Best Ive Ever Owned - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By Jim - October 4 - 9:52 pm

  This is the best car I have owned in 55 years of owning and driving vehicles. It is comfortable, enjoyable to drive, good looking, and I know of no other vehicle that meets the same standard.

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  Best Buy - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Ted Gardner - October 4 - 10:08 am

  Have driven it 4000 miles and have enjoyed evry mile. View from all windows is excelent, performance is great and milage is astonishing for a big automobile. Handling in the mountains with the stability package is really great, but you have to get used to it. This is my second Cadillac, my other one was a 97 and it was a very good car. I never spent a dime on it except for tires brakes and regular oil changes in 115,00 miles. I am sure the improvments that have been made since then shoould prove this one to be better than the first one. I can drive it fro 8 hours plus and still am not tired.

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  It is a Great Car! - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By green1994 - October 3 - 9:03 am

  The Seville has been preety good to me over the last eleven years. I have had to replace a couple of things on it in the last year that have gotten a little out of wack, but this is to be expected with any car over ten years old. The car otherwise is great and I see it still being around for a long time. It is still holding up pretty well. It still has a great ride and it works really well as long as its maintenance is up to date. I would never trade this car, not even for a new CTS. I recommend a Cadillac to anyone and I know. They just make them even better with time.

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  Pay More for Imports If You Must! - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Formerlexusdriver - October 2 - 9:47 pm

  I have read the reviews about the SRX, so I had a very low expectation for it. All I have to say is test ride this vehicle, and all those criticisms will seem like hot air. I read one criticism was that the center console had two levels, and that you have to remove the top layer to get to the bottom, if you dont like this feature, remove the upper tray, and it becomes one large compartment. The handling was a very pleasant experience, and all of the controls are thoughtfully positioned. Some people might be accustomed to European or Japanese configurations, so they may not be used to the SRX, my advice is to give some time and you will realize that there is a reason for the position of the items.

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  Very Happy with the DTS - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By coopera - September 30 - 10:38 pm

  I really am enjoying driving this vehicle considering that I have been driving an SUV for so many years. The DTS is extremely comfortable...and I love the XM radio. It is still early but, I think this will be a great car. I have a small complaint...and that is sometimes I sit in the back seat and rest my left arm on the armrest since I recently had shoulder surgery. The seat belts in the back seat are very uncomfortable and rub against my neck when I am sitting there. Also, I think some of the interior trim could be a little more refined and better quality materials. Other than that, the car is most enjoyable.

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  Its a CADILLAC, what could be better - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By tnmbenson - September 25 - 2:00 am

  a wonderful vehicle that is fun for the whole family. It works well for my wife and I, seeing we have two children. There is plenty of room for them, I could use just a little more room seeing Im 65 and 300lbs, but even at that I have room.

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  Love My Car! - 1993 Cadillac Eldorado
  By OpenReddoor - September 21 - 2:43 pm

  Ive owned and loved this 1993 Eldorado since it was new. Its difficult to let it go! The quality of the leather, paint, etc. is remarkable. It has no rust and no tears. This car isnt nickel-&-diming me to death! It runs great under all conditions with great V8 pick-up and with astonishingly economical gas and service, when needed. This is a solid car for your loved ones...Ive always felt "safe" in this sporty but full size wheel-base auto. Find the right one for you and you will have many years of reliabible luxury transport!

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  My Car - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By richard fricano - September 19 - 10:15 am

  The DeVille is a good looking car and it is fun to drive. I have not had any major problsms with it yet.

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  My 05 STS V-8 with 1sg package - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Robert - September 18 - 5:13 pm

  The performance of the vehicle is outstanding and transmission shifts so smooth you do not feel it shifting. Exterior and interior fit and finish is is up to par if not better than all other autombiles.