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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  EXT - 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Lindy223 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  The first time I saw that this car was going to be relesed I wanted to get it. I was looking for a new vehicle to that was functional and also had style. I was trying to chose between a suv or a pickup truck. I wanted something that I could put an atv in and also something that I could take at least five people and go on a long trip and we would all be comfortable. The EXT can do all that and more. When towing in the EXT you forget that the trailer is even their. When I went to the dealer and test drove it I knew I had to have it. The seats are like the recliners I have in my living room.

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  SRX survey - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Edye Weller - July 30 - 10:25 pm

  This SRX is so easy to drive and handle, also on long road trips and so very comfortable. Loved the memory seats. the lift gate is easy to close and I am 5. The back of the SRX has a plug in for a small refrigerator and we use it when we travel. We also like all the conviences for all the passengers, heat and air, all the storage and cubby holes for thing.

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  Outstanding Vehicle - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Ed Durante - July 30 - 7:09 pm

  I have only 2,500 miles on this car, but they have been very enjoyable miles. The car is solid, and extremely quiet, except when I have the 15 speaker Bose DVD system cranked up. The power is awsome, and the handling smooth and responsive. This is my fourth consecutive Cadillac in the Seville line. The past vehicles were SLSs and I loved them. I was having mixed emotions turning in my last car which was a 2002 SLS. It only took one test drive of the new STS and I never got into the old car again, and didnt look back. The controls are state of the art and user friendly. From programming the features to using the GPS navigation system. The car is an absolute dream to drive and own.

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  The best so far - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By cinemel - July 30 - 2:42 pm

  This is my favorite STS so far. Its the third one Ive owned. It handles responsively with a European tight suspension, not as mushy as the DeVille.

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  Look at the V6! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By FrmrBMWguy - July 30 - 11:05 am

  I formerly have driven BMWs for the past decade. The price on the new 7-Series has gotten a little pricey, so I looked at alternatives. For the money, I could not have found a better drive. I tested the V8 for a week then the V6. There is truly NO noticable difference in the performance, and since the majority of my driving is in the city, I would highly recommend the STS V6. Fully optioned it is priced closely to the base V8.

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  A delight to drive and own - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By dvc - July 28 - 10:34 pm

  This is my fourth Cadillac of this ilk: two Cateras and now two CTS. Obviously I have been highly satisfied with all, despite critics who bemoaned the "unreliability" of the Cateras (not true) and the "lack of information" on the 03 CTS. My experience is that the latest CTS is a great car: fine performance, wonderful design and absolutely no trouble.

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  Need more like this in Europe! - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By martin - July 28 - 6:49 pm

  Best car I ever had. Last one was a Mercedes, but this one...

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  Great Car to Own - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Joe - July 27 - 1:06 pm

  This is my first Cadillac and is the best car I ever purchased. It is fun to drive and is loaded with technology. The white diamond paint with cashmere interior draws attention. Kudos to GMs Cadillac Division.

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  Best Cadillac I Ever Owned - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By nick moscato - July 27 - 12:51 pm

  I have owned Cadillacs from 1980 till now, my 92 was the best looking coupe but this car is the best handling car in any weather, its easy to drive more than enough power with the V6 takes regular gas. This car is fun to drive. The nav system is great, I cannot find anything wrong with this car, look fit comfort are great. Thanks Cadillac for creating a beautiful and stealhty looking vehicle.

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  Best Built Luxury Vehicle that Ive Owned - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By P SII - July 27 - 12:26 pm

  Ive had the Audi A8 and the Mercedes E-Class and by far I must say that the new STS is by far the best to drive and it handles on a dime. I was merely impressed to see that GM has gotten a vechicle to play with those that others claim to be the best in this class.