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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  Good ol Caddy - 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By heygj - December 10 - 2:12 am

  I bought this car with 57,000 miles and in 21 months have driven 50,000 trouble-free miles. I love the ride and with the 350 I get right up to highway speed. I cruise at about 80 MPH and still get 21+ MPG. All on regular gas. The trunk is cavernous and interior is spacious. Ill drive this one another 100K, then try to find another low mileage example of this fine Texas-built Cadillac.

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  Get a Life--its a Caddy! - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By John - December 9 - 9:13 am

  Why do "reviewers" think everything on wheels has to be an McClaren? This is a luxury car that is extremely comfortable, reasonably nimble for a 2- ton vehicle, easy to enter and exit, gets me 18+ mpg around town, well made, gives me a back massage, decent appearance. It does what I want it to do in terrific fashion! Im not sure why a luxury automobile needs 55-series tires, 17 inch wheels, and nearly 300 horsepower, but it does. Ive owned a 800 hp street-legal 57 Chevy, Ive driven my Dads Chrysler Hemi for several thousand miles--and they were both great, but Ill take my Caddy for everyday driving. Its solid American iron and I dont think it needs to apologize for anything!

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  Where;s the Beef? - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By CGypsy - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Finally a rear wheel drive!!! And the exterior styling that is unique, not a run of the mill generic jelly bean. Now if only my CTS had some horse power! It is really lacking in that department. The V6 just doesnt have the power you would expect. A real disappointment. Im not happy with the "early" shift pattern of the auto trans either. This would be a dynamite car with a V8!

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  CTS EARNS TOP HONORS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Troy M Peterson - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Very simply the best vehicle Cadillac has ever built!!!

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  Cathys review - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Catthy - December 7 - 4:44 pm

  Ive never written a review before but I felt this car deserves one. I cant say enough nice things about this car...great ride, easy to handle, sharp styling. Lots of fun to drive and very roomy.

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  So far so good - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By DB - December 4 - 11:49 pm

  Love the Escalade. As for mileage, Im pretty used to spending more at the pump, already owning an SUV. However, it gets poor mpg. Living in the city I get roughly 10.3 mpg. The best Hwy mpg was 17.6 pretty much coasting downhill. As for build quality, could be better for a luxury truck. Overall, very satisfied with the Escalade.

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  I Love The SRX - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Jay - December 4 - 4:10 pm

  I just bought an SRX. It rides so good. We have 2 kids And they do not like to sit in the same seat so the thrid row comes handy. We put in a DVD player. I love the sunroof and the one in the thrid row.

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  Disappointed - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Rogerg - December 4 - 12:12 pm

  Cadillac is unable to resolve a problem with hesitation when going up hills. Otherwise car handles well and is essentially a large station wagon. Gas mileage is poorer than window sticker.

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  Really bad - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By john - November 28 - 12:13 pm

  This is my second Escalade and I was really excited about it. I bought a fully loaded awd black black. The problem is the transmission feels as though its going to fall out of the car....the wors shifting ever. I manually shifted to see what gear 4 and 5th are the worst. Also the 55 lbs seats...I mean come on...my 125lb wife has no chance at getting them in/out. This car really is disappointing and they will feel it.

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  Its no Lexus - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Gearhead - November 28 - 10:11 am

  Fun to drive lots of power from the V8 AWD works great in the snow the ride is firm but not to firm, good leg room front and back except for the third row seat kids only 9yrs. and under. Too much cheap looking plastic on the interior and poor gas mileage 12mpg city 16-17 mpg hwy. Noisy engine