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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  15 months and still Loving It - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Tom - May 6 - 1:05 am

  Weve owned our 6-cyl. AWD SRX for 15 months now and absolutely love it. The look and design are real head turners, and the ride and performance are awesome. Some minor glitches had to be fixed inthe first year (software recalls), but mechanically the vehicle has been wonderful, fit and finsh excellent. Best features are the superior ride, tight handling and great ultraview sun roof. Basically its my wifes car, but I love getting to drive it on the weekends.

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  Just purchased a 2004 Cadillac CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By tonelocdog - May 5 - 10:48 pm

  I am only 24 years old, and I just want to say I am very impressed with my new 2004 Cadillac CTS. I am picking it up tomorrow, because thats when they will have it ready for me. So I dont have much experience with it except for taking it for a test drive, but boy am I impressed. I simply love the futuristic exterior, the whole outer body of this vehicle. Inside my car has an all black interior and is equipped with many updated features such as XM satellite radio, a wood trim steering wheel, an auto theft deterrent device, and the new stabilitc control system. Also, the lumbar cushioned seat is fantastic. I am similarly impreseed with the memory drivers seat. The car handles very smoothly like I am floating on air. And it is as quiet as a mouse.

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  My 2nd DeVille - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By zman - May 5 - 8:36 pm

  I bought this DeVille with 137,000 miles on the odometer. I can attest that I am loving this car. It had great care, and still does. I get great mileage of upwards of 34 mpg @ 67 mph. Who else can do that with 275hp and 4,000lbs? It is roomy and elegant, yet I can get up and go when needed. I am looking forward to my 3rd Cadillac someday.

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  Great - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By bbiigg - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Great no problems and Im 65". Handles well, accelerates smooth, quite ride...but upper dash board material could have been of better quality, needs more wood trim on doors, too much plastic on exterior.....But I love it.

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  The almost-perfect cadillac - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By edwina - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Handling is surperb; I get stopped on the street where ever I am for compliments.

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  Best in Class - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Bill - May 3 - 5:35 pm

  After comparing the SRX, Acura MDX, Lexus RX 330 and Volvo XC90, we chose the SRX. The interior comfort, ride and handling are outstanding. The second row is the most comfortable available. The engine and drivetrain are outstanding. The Luxury package with it multiple memory personalization settings is great. The Ultraview sunroof is the only way to go. The third row is small but our kids dont mind.

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  Most Impressive - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Allan - May 3 - 10:40 am

  I previously had a Mercedes-Benz 500SL, which cost close to $20,000 more than my Cadillac XLR. Even if the numbers were the same I would still opt for the XLR. Across the board, this is one of the best and fun to drive vehicles that I have ever had.

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  Perfect 10 - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Jeff Donato - May 1 - 9:10 pm

  I have only had this car a week, but already I am hooked. I feel that the CTS is a great model. It has a lot of luxury, great appeal, lines to die for, and smoth as silk handling.

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  CTS - Stop Ignoring It! - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By pschambs - April 30 - 3:53 pm

  I have 86,000 miles as I drive on sales calls from GA,NC,SC,OH,KY,WV and had owned/rented Buicks, Taruses, Mercuries, etc. This CTS is the most comfortable and gas sipping at 31 - 33 mpg at 70 MPH al day! What galls me is how the researchers continue to ignor the CTS when comparing it to its peers. I will stick with the 6 cylinder but will get yet another CTS!

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  Overall, an excellent car - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Richard J. C. - April 30 - 2:19 pm

  Ive got about 9,500 miles on my 2004 DHS. Its very powerful so it accelerates onto freeway with absolutely no problem. Its ride is a little firm - but maybe that is why the handling is so good. Its very secure in turns. I feel safe and comfortable in this car. All the bells and whistles work well. MY complaint is that you cant program the navigation system when the car is moving. So if youre on the freeway, you have to pull off if you want to impute a destination. My mileage - in city driving only (Ive never taken it more than 70 miles from home) is about 17 to 18. If I use the freeways much, Im usually in the 18 - 19 mpg range - which I consider excellent for a car this big.