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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  not for winter driving - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By sts - May 10 - 11:38 am

  Lousy car in winter. Car should not be sold without four wheel drive in this area. GM messed up on this. Also my 8 cylinder Cadillac got better mileage than the 6.

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  Stands Out! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Mark - May 10 - 10:52 am

  I originally was looking at the Infiniti G35 or BMW 335. The Infiniti was a tremendous value, and the BMW had an engine that was simply irresistible. Then, out of nowhere, I cam across the CTS. To say the least, this car is an architectural masterpiece. It can stand out, unlike the BMW and Infiniti. Especially in Red. I get at least one compliment a day on that car, people always ask me what kind of car it is, when I say "Cadillac", thy always say "what?".

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  Great Car, Even With The Broken Parts - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Allen - May 8 - 5:47 pm

  There are a lot of problems with this car, but I attribute this to the high mileage. It has over 180,000 miles. Although the ABS is broken, Traction Control is broken, AC/Heat in drivers vents is broken, trunk leaks, rear cig lighter is gone, burns oil, the covers for the rear turn signals fell off (in the car wash), trunk popper is broken, I still LOVE this car. I love the sound system. I love the ability to overtake most anything on the road. It is very comfortable. I love how it can take unleaded fuel (thank God for that). When people say how "so much stuff is broken", I say it just has a personality.

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  Beauty with No Brawn - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By Me Myself & I - May 7 - 7:49 pm

  I own a 2007 and a 2008 ESV - Both Black on Black with 24" non-stock rims. BEAUTY: I truly love the vehicles luxury, style, class, and SIZE, theres nothing better offered by any manufacturer. But here is what I find missing, or dont like. 1) No light in the glove box. 2) No auto-down windows, except drivers door. 3) Cheap battery. 4) No telescope steering wheel. 5) Small brakes. 6) No independent suspension. NO BRAWN: 7) The Escalade at 403HP is grossly underpowered. I am forced to switch the vehicle into tow-mode, to get higher revs out of each gear, in order for it to perform decently. Unfortunately, when in tow- mode, it down-shifts like a jake-brake!

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  There YOU go, Euro car? - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Phil - May 7 - 3:21 pm

  40k miles. Panoramic roof is why I bought it, & like best. Have a Benz & a BMW. Foreign car snobs diss the handling. I prefer it over the Benz, & its different, but about equal in fun to the Beamer, but with better leg room up front. This car is what the family picks to ride. Stereo is great. Ride & handling surprisingly good. Dead Quiet at 70MPH Electronic controls in ice / snow best of the luxury cars. Hard to make it do something bad when teaching kids to drive on ice. Mine doesnt rattle. Wood steering wheel & heated seats are nice. Doors solid, stay solid. Dash appearance & vinyl visors cheesy compared to seats Service has been excellent. Looking for an 08 right now.

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  I am on my 3rd Escalade - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Andrea in NY - May 5 - 9:13 pm

  I just ordered my 3rd new Cadillac Escalade, (all 3 were black) I had the 04, 07, and my new 08 is in. I absolutely love them. I will keep on buying them too. I have never had one engine problem with them. I use OnStar often. I find that the "directions and connections" thru OnStar more useful than the nav. I also love the hands free phone. The stereo is fantastic too. I have a lead foot so I love the 400 hp. It comes in handy often. The factory 22s are worth every penny. I have friends that tried to put on aftermarket 22s and the cannot get rid of the vibration. I live in upstate NY and have left them on through the winter. As long as you clean them, they are fine.

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  2000 Cadillac Deville - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By lordbobthegreat - May 4 - 3:07 pm

  An affordable luxury Car that has more than enough power with even the base 275 hp. The Northstar motor runs great although have noticed from time to time that it does knock. Havent quite figured why it does that. Great Car Overall!

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  Obsessed! - 2013 Cadillac SRX
  By phytkv - May 4 - 10:26 am

  Craved a caddy ever since debut of Art n Science design theme. the SRX offered best of what I wanted/needed; ultra snazzy style, usable cargo space, lots o tek and dependable safety features. Had to give a little, on gas mileage, but all good! Downside is relatively slow, buzzy acceleration. When i want to pass, i want to pass... then, not later! Disappointing low-end torque, but once it gets there, it moves! Also, seems like not enough engine compartment sound insulation? Or, maybe higher quality materials couldve/shouldve been used?? Getting used to fat c pillar blind spots is thrilling, but potentially dangerous?! All things considered; electric vs. gas, coupe-sedan-truck, vanilla vs. rocky road, I love my SRX waaaayy more than not!! Unfortunately, may have to consider a Jaguar F-Pace, Lincoln MKC, Audi or Range Rover if the XT5 2019 freshening doesnt make it more appealing (to me). Not quite on-board with the industrys design direction yet. Still rockin my SRX Performance!!

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  Stephens CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By ssjohnson012 - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Great Looking car. The paint Red Line is very distinctive.

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  My 05 Certified SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Tryeasy - May 3 - 6:18 pm

  Have only owned this vehicle for 1 week! Got a certified 100,000 mile one with 40K miles. Turns heads. I am currently getting in mixed highway and street travel 20.8 miles per gallon. Very please compared to that of most SUVs. Handles very well when pushed too. Otherwise it is a very smooth highway cruiser. Nice alternative to my old SUV!