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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  My 2014 Cadillac XTS - 2014 Cadillac XTS
  By hmarron - December 29 - 10:54 am

  My 2014 Red Cadillac XTS was delievered in Sept 2013 and I now have 1500 trouble free miles on my car. I have purchased over a dozen new cars over the last 40 years and only my Porches were this reliable out of the gate. It is so quiet I accidentaly left the motor running when my wife and I went to lunch - it was still running when we returned - there is no key. It is a better value for your money than the Mercedes E Class, BMW 5 or the new 2014 Cadillac CTS Sedan.

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  Perfect balance of sport and comfort - 2014 Cadillac ATS
  By vroom2 - December 22 - 12:22 pm

  After owning four consecutive 3 series BMWs I found myself unhappy with the latest model. The new 3 seemed not as well posed or as much fun to drive as the past models and had grown to nearly the size of the old 5 series. This where the Cadillac ATS is the perfect fit. It wonderfully direct steering, a stiff chassis and the perfect balance of sporty handling and comfort. There has been much talk about the CUE system and, while not as easy to use as other, it is perfectly usable once you get used to it. Fuel economy is not meeting its EPA estimate but that may have something to do with the way I drive it.

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  I am disappointed in my SRX - 2014 Cadillac SRX
  By roy79 - December 17 - 9:35 am

  Your view to the rear is very poor. The back up camera is a necessity. The front seats are uncomfortable. My in town gas milage is below 15 mpg. The on board computer system is very fancy with a lot of Wow factor but it is very difficult to learn and is slow to respond. It is very difficult to make any adjustment while driving

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  GREAT CAR FOR THE MONEY !!! - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By donbilly - December 7 - 6:39 pm

  I have the 2004 cadillac sls and the car has giving me nothing but great service and even when there is a few times that the abs , brake and traction control light comes on.... the car has never fail to performe. This is a real plasure driving soecially in the highways gas economy is awesome and response on the engine is truly amaizing

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  Thoroughly pleased - 2014 Cadillac CTS
  By sammyboy542 - December 4 - 11:03 am

  I have always been indifferent towards Cadillac cars. I have never found them all that exciting. This car has intrigued me since it was introduced earlier in the year. I was in the market for a mid-size luxury car stepping up from an Audi A4, and after comparing BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and Cadillac, this is what I landed on. Obviously this is subjective, but I think the styling is absolutely stunning. The drive is very engaging when you want it to be and extremely comfortable when commuting. From my experience of riding and driving multiple Cadillac cars in the past this is the first time Ive ever been compelled to purchase a cadillac car myself -- at 29 yrs of age.

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  The best Caddy yet! - 2014 Cadillac CTS
  By bulog - December 1 - 8:26 pm

  I traded on my 08 CTS 3.6 performance for a 14 CTS 3.6 Luxury with options. I absolutely loved the 08 and this one is even better. The interior materials are well done, rich and luxurious. Car rides very solid, much quieter cabin. Loaded will all sorts of technology. Upon test drive the 2.0T 4 cylinder 6 speed was plenty powerful, packed a punch and will be adequate for most drivers. I chose the 6 cyl 8 speed as was used to and should make driving even more fun.

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  THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By irvdaddynyc - December 1 - 6:27 pm

  THE GOOD ... Looks of the Escalade are second to none (eye catcher) ..... Powerful 6.2 motor (love the sound when I turn it on) THE BAD ... Horrible fuel mileage (barely 11mpg), plastic door handles (cmon really??), Rear windows go down half way (sucks for rear passengers), Rear passengers are always hitting their feet exiting (seat adjustment needed), 3rd row seating ever worse (passengers knees hit their chest) THE UGLY ... Plastic (fake) wood grain interior panels are quick to get scratched and LOOKS horrible!! Overall I like my Escalade, just wished I purchased an ESV instead. Full rear doors(windows roll ALL the way down) 3rdrow seating has more leg room plus you have cargo space

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  2013 ATS Base - 2013 Cadillac ATS
  By joeyfernando26 - November 24 - 12:15 pm

  I leased the 2013 ATS back in August 2013. After looking at the BMW 320i, Mercedes CLA, and Lexus IS250, I had fallen in love with the ATS when I test drove it. No, its not the 2.0T or 3.6, but this little engine really is peppy once you step on the accelerator. The only complaint is that I never achieve the marketed MPG, I only get around 18 driving to and from work and school. Other than that, I LOVE this car!

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  FIRST CADILLAC - 2013 Cadillac SRX
  By pops5x - November 9 - 5:27 pm

  We bought this Performance fwd model for the Mrs daily "around town" car about six months ago. Our friends and family love its snappy looks which draws a lot of attention. Its exciting to drive and ride in. Powerful engine/transmission drive line. Sporty handling, comfortable seats and ride. Lots of room in front, but legroom in rear is tight when front seat(s) are all the way back. Beautiful, luxurious, quiet interior. The CUE system? Well, just like our iPhones its a fun challenge, and we are conquering both. We wouldnt want to do without either.

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  Never again - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By natawika - November 8 - 3:24 pm

  I have had nothing but problems with my 2007 Cadillac Escalade. I literally have this vehicle in the shop just about every other month. New battery, serpentine belt, both wheel bearings, struts, wheel bearing sensors, DVD player quit, ball joints, service rear camera. What next? Plus, everything I have fixed was expensive. Seats are starting to fall apart. I would expect this from a vehicle that was beat on, but my esclade is mainly used for family trips. I cant wait to get rid of it!