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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  Escalade exceeded my expectations - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Bill Crowe - June 17 - 1:34 am

  I bought this luxury SUV after careful comparison with the competition. Im a big guy and this vehicle has a lot of room. The ride is superb, the interior is whisper quiet, the 345 hp engine leaves nothing to be desired and on top of that, I get 19 mpg on the highway! The attractive interior is well laid out, the seats extremely comfortable, and the XM radio is something that quickly became indispensable. As a professional, my Escalades bold styling makes the right statement to my clients: Success.

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  Mega Car - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike - June 16 - 12:31 pm

  Not sure what Edmunds say that this car cant keep up with its competitors. This is an unbelievable automobile. Its fast, handles like nothing else in its bracket, and looks great. Just ask the all the gawkers to look at this car when it passes by. My is car black and black and it looks great. Have 28,000 miles on it with no quality problems, in fact brake wear is fantastic. All in all this is car with no competition.

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  Company Vehicle - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Robert Gingras - June 13 - 9:51 pm

  Overall, vehicle is fun to drive and very functional in all weather conditions. The six-cylinder engine privides ample power and the seating is fine for four adults. ( without the added third seat ) gas mileage averages around 20 mpg. I would consider another SRX when my lease is up on this one.

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  Happy Cadillac customer - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By duque - June 12 - 6:47 pm

  This truck is extremely comfortable with a long wheel base which absorbs bumps easily. It has convenient controls and cofortable seating. The space is a blessing!

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  I Love This Car - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Lou Porter - June 11 - 3:39 pm

  I have loved every moment I have owned my 1998 Cadillac Catera and I am disappointed that it is no longer available. My previous car was a BMW. My only regret is the car hs only 200 horsepower. However, it performs quite well when I do highway driving.

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  2 years of ownership - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By edwestrfld - June 11 - 3:25 pm

  The car is a blast to drive and always turns heads on the road. I have lost count of the number of people giving me the thumbs up. The XLR has been a solid performer. I had one computer chip issue in the first two months, which was quickly fixed. My car was one of the first off the line, and had brake squeal with low speed stops. Cadillac replaced all four rotors with upgrades. All subsequent cars produced have the same rotors. Have had one chip in the paint on the retractable roof. External trunk release was replaced. You do have to tell the carwash guys the trunk is "powered" and you dont close it by hand. Also has a hidden panel they inevitably dont clean.

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  Very Pleased - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By jp - June 11 - 3:25 pm

  Owned for about 7 yrs - had 23,000 mi then, now 158000. Used to get 26 mpg on highway. Very comfortable with plenty of power and we love the style and color. We love it but have had mechanical issues - new radiator, replace fuel injectors, rebuild transmission, load leveler work required, antenna motor gone out and other minor issues. Currently heater- air conditioner relation is squirrely. Even through all of that we still find it hard to give up so plan to run it for many more miles.

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  "Porsche Driving" Husband Loves it, too! - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Beverly Hynes - June 11 - 1:06 pm

  The CTS has the look and comfort of luxury with the power to accelerate quickly if needed. It has a sturdy safe feel on the highway and controls are easily reached without cumbersome search while driving. We love it.

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  Another Cadillac - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Cadillac SUV - June 11 - 9:09 am

  The Cadillac Escalade lives up to the Cadillac reputation. The Escalade has sexy styling with well contoured curves. The interior of the Escalade is where is really shines, with all the bells and whisltes you can imagine, you feel like your in a small jet. It takes some reading and practice to get use to its instrument panel and if your lucky enough to have it, the readout on the trip computer and satelite radio. The stereo is built in digitally and sounds very nice as well as the 5 CD changer. The most fun is the dual climate control (really tri) for driver, passanger and rear passanger (all seperate for each persons comfort) The vehicle handles well, but it takes longer to stop.

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  One Great Car - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Joseph Fitzpatrick - June 10 - 7:53 pm

  This is a great ride. Has all the extras that you need and then some. I only have a 1000 miles on the car but, rides like a dream. Feels tight and fast. The inside is well thought out. It has that little bit extra that a quality car needs. Engine is fast and smooth. I recommend this car highly.