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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  Fun To Drive - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By JL Cripe - February 19 - 12:59 am

  We have found our two Cateras fun to drive, easy to handle and a joy to drive on long trips. The power seats fit our bodies comfortably. The sunroof offers lots of options. Weve had no maintenance problems with either our 1999 or 2000 Catera.

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  2007 Escalade (The New Breed) - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Jimmy - February 17 - 12:47 pm

  The 2007 Escalade blows all other SUVs out of the water. It has 403 Hp which nobody else can touch, not Hummer or Lincoln! I love this vehicle. Cadillac did a great job of slightly compacting the SUV and further improving its aggility and great ride. To anyone who is looking for a luxury SUV, this is the vehicle for you!

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  Lots to like - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By OttawaUser - February 15 - 8:26 pm

  My CTS has the FE3 suspension and the 304 hp direct injection engine. Performance: I like to drive quickly. Power, tracking, grip and dynamics are all excellent. Performance brakes are really powerful (but touchy at low speeds), and also necessate 18" wheels for snow tires - 17" wont fit. In sport mode the auto transmission matches speeds perfectly, a bit less smooth in regular mode. Interior is put together really well. Feels much roomier than G35. Seats very good. Controls very well thought out. Stereo with 40 GB HDD is truely awesome. My only quibble - needs more storage bins in front and a place for sunglasses. Overall I love it and find myself looking for excuses to drive.

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  They Have a Winner - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Ron - February 14 - 5:49 pm

  The 2007 Cadillac Escalade looks great and drives great. Its new opitions have Cadillac written all over them. The new Escalade is finally a true Cadillac.

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  Foreign cars eat ur hearts out! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By LB - February 14 - 5:23 am

  This car rocks! Its the red one on TV and magazine covers; I got it fully featured, but opted for the Auto vs Manual shift. It replaced my 03 CTS that I loved (and so did my BMW-owning friends....more room!) I obliged my Mercedes and Audi loving relatives by considering them, but hands down this CTS packs more punch/value for every buck. I find it a smooother ride than the Europeans. It has more useful features than my cousins limited edition Audi that cost $80K. He said he has no iPod connector nor USB port, nor 36 preset channels, nor as much room in the back seat for clients as I do. The teenagers in my neighborhood went crazy over it. Talk about not being Dads car anymore!

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  Cadillac CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By James Anderson - February 13 - 10:13 pm

  I really enjoy the sporty looks and the European feel, firmer drive of the Cadillac CTS. It gets great gas mileage and has plenty of power. It also draws a lot of lookers!

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  CTS Owner - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By mrj - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Loaded CTS Lux Sport (White Diamond) a) This car is fun to drive! The handling, acceleration, "road feel" is on par with the Germans. Its not super fast, but no slouch either. b)Great Looks - Both inside and out, this car looks unique. Im glad they didnt raid the GM parts bin to make it look like all other caddys. c) Comfort - I really like the ergonomics of this car. Its very comfortable in all driving conditions. d) Value. Unlike import dealers, Cadillac sales will accept reasonable offers (plus you can use GM points, get low rates, etc...)

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  Wonderful Car - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Elena Linton - February 9 - 7:39 pm

  Love almost everything about the Cadillac DTS, except the floor mats. It is one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven and it has power to spare. The only complaint I have, besides the floor mats, is that a five or six speed transmission would be a welcome improvement.

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  *GREAT* - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Butter828 - February 7 - 10:00 am

  its a great car.

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  Second Escalade - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Bailey - February 6 - 12:36 pm

  I had my last Cadillac Escalade for five years and did not have to do anything, not even a light bulb change! What a wonderful vehicle, now Im on Escalade number 2. I will buy another one in 5 years. This is a heavy and dependable truck.