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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  The STS - Enjoy It For What It Is! - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By bassplayer - May 30 - 10:01 am

  I test drove several sport sedans and entry level luxury cars before purchasing this one. The $5,000 dealer incentive had a lot to do with the purchase, Ill admit, but the car is tremendous, and a fine example of American car makers getting it right. It blends performance with luxury, and offers more back seat room and trunk space than several comparable cars. I agree with many reviewers that the glove box is poorly designed and offers no space. However, the combination of power, AWD, luxury, braking, toys (XM, OnStar, Nav, etc.) were too good to pass up. This is a great looking car with a compliant ride with just enough road feel for me. Bottom line, enjoy the car for what it is!

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  My 2007 Escalade - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Susan - May 27 - 9:02 pm

  I have had 4 Escalades, 3 Devilles, 2 Sevilles and one CTS. Every single time I want to get a new model, I go out and test drive other makes and models and.....go back to Cadillac. The new Nissan Armada is just like driving a big old bulky truck....not AT ALL like the Escalade, the Lexus GX 470 disappointed me also as did the BMW (too small) and Mercedes (too small). The Lincoln Navigator also was short changed on the interior, it just felt plastic-like...NOTHING like the Escalade. The 2007 has pep and can bust out at the light or passing on a two lane road. The changes from 2006 to 2007 are PROMINENT and VERY WORTH WHILE. I also would rate this gem as one of the SEXIEST SUVs on the market.

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  Great car except... - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By James Bridges - May 27 - 12:23 pm

  The Cadillac STS is a great car except for its very poor glove box design. Also, the rear seats are cramped, there is only room for 2 passengers. The trunk is small for this class of vehicle, it has poor storage. There is only luggage space for 2 passengers.

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  Ultimate Cadillac 6cyl SUV - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Frank - May 27 - 10:17 am

  I have driven Ford Explorers for 16 years, including 4 different models. My dealer assumed that I would by another, but with my buying plan with MetLife, I could buy the SRX at the same price I would have paid for another Explorer. Besides, Joe Bowman gave me a much higher trade-in than Beach Ford or Colonial Cadillac would have. It was worth the trip to drive 250 mile to Harrisonburg to get the vehicle I wanted. They could not have been a nicer group of people to deal with. When I arrived, all the paper work was completed, and with an explanation of how everything worked, and test drive, I was on my way back to Vievinia Beach. I have been excited to own another Cadillac. I am happy.

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  SRX in East Texas - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By S. Ellis - May 27 - 8:40 am

  After looking at the Lexus GX 470 we decided on the SRX. We added the Drivers and Luxury Packages, 3rd row seat, upgraded Bose stereo system and ultraview sunroof. The Drivers Package has the magnetic suspension and 18" wheels, which makes the car / SUV drive like a dream! An added surprise was the headlight washers - a really neat feature! We average 17 mpg (city) and 23 mpg (road). We LOVE the automatic folding 3rd row, especially with 3 kids. Its easy for the kids to get into from the 2nd row. My husband and I have our own "personal" settings and the car automatically sets them depending upon whose key is used - no more changing the seats, radio, air, mirror, etc. - the car does it for you!

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  MySrx - 2014 Cadillac SRX
  By Ellen - May 26 - 10:47 pm

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  First New Cadillac - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Dr Leonard Pal - May 26 - 9:57 pm

  It feels good in these times to have bought an American product. Is every bit as good, if not better, than the BMW I bought new, or the Lexus bought new.

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  Great American car - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By DIDO - May 26 - 1:52 pm

  The Cadillac CTS drives and handles great. I have a lot of confidence in it. I have the performance package with a chrome tip exhaust, 18 inch wheels, and a spoiler in red. The car turns heads.

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  Thank You Cadillac - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Alvins The Answer - May 26 - 10:00 am

  GM, you finally beat the Europeans at their own game. A fine vehicle that has it all. Keep it up.

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  Different is good - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By tigercar - May 25 - 3:46 pm

  I test drove a Mercedes C230, Ford 500, Ford Fusion and Buick LaCrosse and the Cadillac CTS was head and heels above them. I could tell I was in a different breed of car when I left the lot.