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 - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By bridgit - March 2 - 6:47 pm

  My wife thoroughly enjoys this car. She always told me it was an old mans car. I would not try to take it away from her. It was the first Cadillac she ever drove. Her other car was a Lexus and Camry. She wont ever consider a Lexus now.

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  This CTS is amazing. - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Sirgeek - March 1 - 11:40 am

  I cant get over the features this car packs. The hard drive is fantastic. The power and fuel economy together are both unbelievable. I liked it for the exterior, but I love it for the interior. And it actually has good rear seat room. This is clearly Caddys 5-series, but it feels more like a 3-series driving down the road (the curvier the better!)

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  My personal Time Machine - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Larry - February 27 - 3:30 pm

  I have a Black on Black 98 ETC with the optional SunRoof. What a "looker"! She was turned on by someone that owned her on lease and surprisingly, had very low mileage. Were a couple of maintenance issues, normal for the age and miles of the car and was cared for by warranty! She has been a dream to drive and always like a step into a different dimiension. Everything about her enhances the trip from the smooth ride, comfortable seats, well thought out instruments and Boise Stereo. I always enjoy driving this lady down the highways.

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  Great Value! - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By ccleary34 - February 26 - 4:06 pm

  I am coming up on 2 years of ownership. This is also the first time in about 15 years that I only have one car. I was worried about not having 4X4 or AWD but so far I have never been stranded in the few times there has been snow. Great acceleration and handling! One of the best Ive owned. While some have more performance, utility, luxury, this Cadillac is the best blend Ive seen so far.

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  Class act - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Jan - February 26 - 7:39 am

  Have enjoyed my SRX on most levels. Fun to drive, great looking, easy to handle & the look and feel of understated elegence. I have purchased it fully loaded & what a joy it has been. The SRX appeals to all the drivers in the family with only one complaint by me, fuel consumption.

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  Sport version 20 inch wheels - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By Pierre - February 25 - 9:58 pm

  On a trip in Maine on the cruise control very good acceleration. Road handling remarquable. On ice covered of snow in the left lane it is magic

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  Caddie is Back! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Roger - February 25 - 2:04 pm

  While the 08 CTS is not quite as precise as the BMW 3- or 5-series (Ive owned both), it is more than adequate in everyday driving and gives you back a much quieter, smoother ride than either of the Bimmers. The interior of this car absolutely blows away the competition. Compare this car, well equipped for about $43k (AWD, 3.6 DI, Bose, and almost everything except Nav with a comparably equipped 3-series (about $49k) or 5-series (even more), and youll begin to understand what all the press is about. Fit, finish and materials are superb...and if GM can produce a reliable car (TBD), the Boys in Bavaria and elsewhere have a lot to be worried about. Did I mention this car burns regular?

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  Caddy Deville......Last of the Boats - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Dom - February 25 - 9:30 am

  The Cadillac Deville is fast becoming one of the last boat Caddy cars ever being made. The new ones have all the bells and whistles but they no longer have that long slick boat length look to them like the old Cadillacs have and thats a shame. I love this car and I just purchased it with over 114,000 miles on the odmeter!

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  ... - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By finn - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I got a black CTS with Luxury package, every option. I chose black, because I didnt like the two-tone interior on the lighter models. CTS was the "coolest," best value on the market when I was out there shopping. Ive been pleased with every aspect of performance and comfort. Style is greatest feature here, though...lots of compliments...my friends are jealous.

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  New CTS owner 2008 - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Rick - February 24 - 9:04 pm

  I bought my 2008 CTS with 300 HP DI engine and I swear it feels like an 8 cylinder. The handling of this car is like a luxury-sports car, which is much better than the 2004 350 ZX I traded in. Ive got just over 1200 miles on it and it is still as tight and responsive as the day I drove it off the lot. I talked my wife into this car and she is happy I did(it was her 350Z). I got every feature available.