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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  Loving my CTS - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By NatsCTS - October 24 - 9:45 pm

  My CTS is very nice, I enjoy driving it. I have had no trouble at all with it and its sleek and sexy. It handles the road with such precision. Test drive one and see for yourself!

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  Cadillac EXT - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By bodekorte - October 23 - 4:03 pm

  This has to be one of the best if not the best trucks on the market today. This truck has excellent steering and handling very fun and easy to drive. Also comes with many optional features to enhance your driving experience with this truck.

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  Great Car - 1992 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Adam Sullivan - October 21 - 4:38 am

  I bought this car with 125,000 miles on the odometer and have put over 20,000 more miles on it since I purchased it less than a year ago and the car has been great. Its powerful, reliable, comfortable, and good looking. Its fuel economy isnt great, but the 4.9 engine has been very solid. I am particulary amazed at the build quality. The car still has the original a/c and it blows as cold as ice. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  2006 Cadillac STS - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Peter Heimann - October 18 - 5:28 pm

  This is by far the best built vehicle I have ever purchased. With this vehicle General Motors has done an oustanding job of competing with European and Japanese products.

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  Bobs review - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Bob - October 18 - 4:48 pm

  The design and quality of the 2006 Cadillac STS are outstanding. The reason I like the design, the car is distinctive and does not look like every other car on the road.

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  Star Black - 2006 Cadillac XLR
  By Jay - October 16 - 9:37 am

  I purchased this car in Cathedral City, CA and drove it cross country to FL. What a joy! The handling and ride were outstanding. This is my dream car, I cant even imagine anything topping it, although I am sure they will in years to come.

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  Out of this world - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Andrea - October 15 - 2:17 pm

  This car is a dream to drive. I knew it was a great car but I did not know what a thrilling experience it can be to drive a near sports car for that amount of money. I have owned a Cadillac DeVille before (1992) but the two vehicles cannot be compared. I also own an SUV (other brand) and am delighted with the CTSs comfort. I finally found a car that more nimble and more fun to drive and ride in than a BMW (which I still own and will get rid of) or my friends Mercedes. I test drove the Toyota Avalon before deciding to buy the CTS. My advice: Drive a CTS before buying the Avalon the handling will convince you - plus the CTS has style and character.

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  so far . . . so great - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By steve - October 14 - 2:16 am

  My 2004 Cadillac CTS becomes more fun to drive each time I take it out. The sport luxury package w/17 inch wheels, is smooth accelerating and handling. I just love this car. I also tested an Acura TL, but for some reason, I just wasnt that impressed.

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  I love my car! - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Karen - October 13 - 1:01 am

  I have had my 2006 Cadillac CTS for about nine months and everytime I get in it, I think about how much I love it. My husband laughs at me because I still say it after this many months.

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  Great looking and fun to drive. - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By ba earley - October 12 - 2:52 pm

  We purchased our Cadillac SRX one and a half years ago. We have thoroughly enjoyed the car with no complaints. It is wonderful on trips. It is very comfortable and is an excellent driving vechicle.