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:

• 

  Completely Satisfied - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By jjmd - August 15 - 8:54 am

  This automobile has it all. It has plenty of room for the family, yet is loads of fun to drive. The acceleration and handling are like that of a much smaller car. I am sold on the Cadillac brand now and I was quite skeptical when I purchased the car.

• 

  A Cadillac for the Future - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By TennMan1 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This car handles like a dream. It has plenty of acceleration to stay out of trouble when passing, or getting into trouble on the open road. Gas mileage suffers a little for a 6 cylinder engine, however, I am not sure that the fun acceleration (which entices a heavy foot if you have one)is more the culprit. The 2004 with the increased hp will truly make this car a world-class contender with such cars as BMW, Accura, Infinity and Lexis.

• 

  Incredible Car - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Nick - August 13 - 10:49 pm

  I have had the car for six months and 15,000 kms with no problems. It is great to drive, the transmission is silky smooth, and it has great power in all ranges. GM has a winner here.

• 

  Our New XT5 - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By Bill - August 13 - 9:53 pm

  Bought 2010 new, loved it except the 3.0 engine. Luxury model while with tan interior. Just sold that car and bought a 2017 XT5 Luxury model White with Tan interior. Engine is great with plenty of power fit and finish is perfect. I was a little disappointed that Cadillac trimmed a few options from the luxury model I purchased before like: no cd player, sill plates no longer have a light in them, there is no longer a horizontal interior dash trim light, tan interior no longer offered in tan headliner with tan carpet only in black. Front seats need a little more attention to front bottom bolsters, (need more padding). Except for the dashboard the whole interior seemed a little cheaper.. I do not like the steering wheel option of leather wrapped heated the 2010 Luxury model had a wood/leather steering wheel I liked more. I have to save the car drives great, seems to be quieter, same gas millage even though it has a bigger engine, Bose system sounds great, (I hate it has no built in cd),

• 

  Sharp car, great performance & handling - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By cadillacmike - August 13 - 2:32 am

  This is my 6th Cadillac, and my wife absolutely loves it even if she wont admit it. It has rather sharp styling (I like the STS better) but everyone likes it. The black is real nice when its clean. Power and handling are superb, interior comfort is unsurprassed, and Cadillac continues to refine their memory system, this car can remember the seat position, radio settings, climate control, exit preference, Twilight Sentinel settings, mirrors, and it even has a personalized name for each key holder! The XM Satellite radio is superb. We were originally not going to get the navigation system, but once she found out that it can play DVD movies it was all over. You can even watch while driving!

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By PeteB - August 12 - 10:20 pm

  This STS is a great car! The STS drives so smoothly, with all the power and handling that you would expect in a luxury car. I have owned a lot of cars and this is one of the best. The STS has best balance between ride and handling over the competition. I agree with Edmunds.coms Editors best picks for 2005. I would never have probably looked at a Cadillac without the excellent reviews. I look for opportunities to drive this car! I think that the rear seat comfort could be improved though, but other than that I have no complaints so far! Also, received a great deal on a great car!

• 

  hot ride - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By jwsrx1 - August 10 - 3:15 pm

  A return to the muscle cars with style, comfort and power. The miles fly be with the Bose stereo system and stability of this car/suv. GM quality is better than the foreign automakers.

• 

  Class, Style, Adaptability, and Grace - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By John john - August 9 - 11:46 am

  Just get in and go! It will do the rest for you . . .

• 

  I Like My STS - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By geoaquamariner - August 9 - 11:37 am

  I have owned this vehicle for 2 months and lovin it so far. The only complaints I have is the glove box is too small, and the coin tray drawer is hard to access being right in front of the gear shift. This car loves to run, and fast! I am still learning all the details of the navigation system. There is a lot it can do, but takes some practice and repetive use to get the handle on all its details. This is a solid car that gives a great driving experience. Cadillac got it right with this one.

• 

  Americas Back! Wow what a Cadillac! - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By chink - August 9 - 11:21 am

  Amazing! Truly amazing! The line-up of the all new Cadillacs is outstanding, yet this one leads the pack. The all new STS seriously will send its competitors racing back to the drawing board. There are so many toys in this vehicle, youll never get bored. This puppy handles like a Corvette. Its feline-like qualities shine in this model. At 110 mph, this vehicle takes curves like a cat clawing grammas furniture in fear for its life! Exterior styling causes necks to snap as they attempt to determine what kind of vehicle your in. Owning this vehicle is certain to subject neighbors to envy. Out of my way this is no longer Gramps Cadillac! Finally a Caddy for us Gen Xers...not quite 30!