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:

• 

  The Right Decission - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Hugh - November 12 - 11:56 pm

  Have only owned the Caddy for a couple of weeks, and I am very impressed. I looked at evrything from BMWs, Acruas other Cadillacs, and even the new Buick Enclave. I live in snow country of upper Michigan, and the STS afforded me the opportunity to own a classy, Luxury car with AWD. Gas mileage is great compared to owning an SUV upper here. And the in-line V6 has all the get up an go that I would need. At first the Navigation system appears to offer it self to one with a degree in computers, but a little hands on time is all thats needed. Cost more than the CTS, but you get more and it is defintely a better auto for the extra money!

• 

  No Disappointments! - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Hugh - November 12 - 4:55 pm

  We enjoy driving this car and both want to drive when we go. Handles fantastic and could not be quieter. The direct injected six is more powerful than my old Seville V8, has more horsepower. The mileage is better than the 2001 Seville as well. Interior finish is tops, the programing features took some time to master for the memory feature. Very happy with this car and no bag of money had to go to Japan!

• 

  BETTER THEN THE CATERIA - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By George Dakuras - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This new exotic style is great cadillac has done a great job with there engerineering and making it affordable. The style is nicer looking then the cateria and purrs like a kitten when it wants to. i love that sports suspenstion button that gives you faster pick up also. overall i love this car i am loyal to GM and always be and after what happened on 9/11 we should support our country by buying cars built in the usa. SO OVERALL A GREAT CAR

• 

  To my surprise - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By Back in a Caddy - November 11 - 7:46 pm

  Im surprised by this car, Ive not had a lot of problems with my sedan. I bought this used a few years back with 48,000 mi on it after I couldnt afford to get my older 7 series BMW fixed. I sometimes forgot I wasnt in my BMW when driving down the interstate because the Catera gripped the road like a small series BMW. If you stood outside this car youd think a tall man like myself that stands 64 could never fit comfortably and then you get in, its like wow? Ive found that a lot of GM mechanics have a hard time working on my car because its German made so Ive been taking it to my BMW mechanic who feels right at home. Ive serviced this car on a reg basis and soon approaching 100,000!

• 

  jacobsons DTS review - 2008 Cadillac DTS
  By jacobson, s - November 11 - 10:15 am

  I started driving a Cadillac when Oldsmobile stopped building the original Aurora. I travel from Florida to Atlanta, GA and the ride is comfortable, quiet, and smooth, my companion reads a book all during the drive. On one trip my cruise control stopped working, I hit my OnStar button and they made an appointment for me at a dealership near where I was staying. The service manager was waiting for me and the problem was solved. He called me to make sure everything was completed to my satisfaction.That is Cadillac quality and servuce.

• 

  SRX is blast to drive! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By cuzmd - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Our SRX is extremely versatile, excellent in snow/ice and a favorite with my grandkids (because of the DVD setup) but mostly its a blast to drive. The Northstar engine is phenomenal as is the 5-sp auto trans. We regularly travel an approximate 50 miles of twisting, turning, two lane road and, other than my ZR1 Vette, Ive never had as much fun on that route as I have with the SRX. We traded a 2003 Infiniti G35,an excellent car, due to a move to a cold climate and a desire for more passenger space; we have the optional third seat.

• 

  daves ext - 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By dgm58 - November 8 - 2:00 am

  excellent vehicle, would recommend highly.

• 

  Youve Gotta Love This Car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Tom Cat - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I ordered in April 2001. My CTS arrived in May (4 weeks from the day I ordered it). What an awesome car. I absolutely love it. I havent seen any others on the road since I got mine. So I get a lot of attention from other drivers, pedestrians, etc. A lot of "thumbs up".

• 

  New Caddy - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By patricia sharpe - November 4 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I both drive alot here in LA. We appreciate the "finer" things in life. We have owned several suvs througout the years. We typically lease our cars for 3 years at a time. This year we test drove the BMW M5, the Mercedes CL500, The VW Tourang, the The new Volvo. We loved the Cadillac SRX the moment we tested it. We also got a great deal. The interior style with the ultra plush leather seats are outstanding. We recommend this car to anyone seeking luxury and quality!

• 

  1ST GM SINCE 1987 - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By JERRY AUSTIN - November 4 - 10:00 am

  BEEN DRIVING FORDS SINCE 1987. CONSIDERED THE LINCOLN BLACKWOOD BUT POOR LOAD SPACE IN BODY MADE IT UNDESIREABLE. WANTED A GOOD RIDE WITH PLENTY OF COMFORT. FOUND IT IN THE EXT. FUEL ECONOMY IS EQUAL TO IF NOT A LITTLE BETTER THAN THE FORD F150 KING RANCH SUPERCAB. TRUCK DRIVES LIKE A SPORTS CAR. I HAVE 9000 MILES ON MINE NOW AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS. I DROVE NEW FORDS, DODGES, NISSANS, TOYOTAS AND SOME I DONT REMEMBER BUT I DROVE THE EXT AND BOUGHT IT THE SAME DAY. WOULD HIGHLY RECCOMMEND TO EVERYONE. JERRY AUSTIN, DOUGLASVILLE, GA.