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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  oh my god - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By ant519 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  great suv with great power and the roof is to die for.i got the v8 with lux preformance package.. bose sys a must

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  Snow Joke - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By CawfeeTawk - September 22 - 9:59 am

  While Ive thoroughly enjoyed the way this car handles and drives, its a nightmare in the snow. Long Island,NY had only 3 snowy days, one with real accumulation. This car couldnt even negotiate a one inch ridge of icy snow leaving me unable to get of a parking space. I needed to be towed a few times over the winter because the rear wheel drive is so inadequate (even with "Stabili-trac & snow traction engaged). I never had this issue with front wheel drive cars and I would never buy or lease a rear-wheel-drive vehicle again. With that said, if an all-wheel-drive version is available and affordable, Id be in it in a NY minute.

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  Thunder Gray - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By caddi-cts - September 21 - 1:27 pm

  Great car shows Cadillac understands how to put together great product. Exclellent styling, edgy, unique and attractive. On a cost basis, performance exceeds competitors, and seems a better value. Love the evolution to the 08 as well. Cannot wait to see the new CTS in Thunder Gray with in a coupe next year (maybe GM will do rumored convertible). If so, I may have to trade mine in on a new one.

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  Finally an American car that can - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Gvic - September 19 - 1:03 pm

  First American car to buy, I would say impressed, but still years behind in technology from the rest of the world. It could be better if they could add basic techs stuff that cheap Japanese cars have, otherwise a fun car to drive and to look at. Hope the dealer stop calling me for extending warranty.

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  Great Road handling - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By MANNY B - September 18 - 8:12 pm

  This car hugs the road like its on rails. Amazing performance for a luxury car. Good power, firm yet comfortable ride. Superb Bose radio, XM and OnStar. Refined interior, sleek exterior.

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  Bad Luck - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By ggc - September 17 - 2:09 pm

  I had the misfortune of choosing probably the worst Escalade in the lot. When I see all these "10" ratings in performance form other customers, I just feel like crying. Just bought a 2007 Escalade. I always wanted to have a Cadillac. I had a Navigator before (which I loved ) but the new ones are so ugly.. The Escalade is so impresive and beautiful.. But is probably the worst ride I ever had...starting with the loud wind noise, busy and rough shifting and having to "step on it" to get some kind of speed. I regret this buy big time. Dealer cannot "reproduce" the problem. I wany my Chrysler Pacifica back!

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  All beauty and nothing else - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By jay657 - September 15 - 11:02 pm

  There is no doubt this car is beautiful, comfortable and can blow the doors of most other cars, but it is the most unreliable car I have ever owned. The eternal "service Engine Soon" light is annoying. It constantly needs sensors and things to be replaced only to have engine light come back on in a month or 2. I also dont understand how a modern car today can burn up so much oil. What does it do with it? It also is absoultly terrible for winter driving. Step on the brakes on a snow covered road and it turns sideways every time. The traction control on a FWD is useless. Trading in for an 05 Grand Marquis. Had a 94 Town Car previously never had any major problems in 6 yrs.

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  Edward Vaughan - 1999 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Edward Vaughan - September 15 - 1:48 pm

  This car is a good value at the price requested. It is fully loaded and has been reasonable on gas considering its power and weight. The car runs smoothly and handles extremely well. It is the epitome of luxury and power. The car is clean inside and out and while it has 97K on it there are many miles left in this excellent car. Dont miss this opportunity of owning a Cadillac which is a premier car at a very affordable price.

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  Cadillac STS Awd - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Cadillac STS - September 15 - 12:39 pm

  Ive had my STS 14 months now.I dont know what problems other people are having, but my STS has not seen the dealer since I bought it. The only thing I have done is changed oil at 9400 miles and rotate the tires at the same time. I average 20 mpg , not bad could be better. The exterior design is beautiful, although standard wheels should be 18s. The interior is beautiful with exception of cheap hard plastics on the center stack. Seats are to firm. Overall I love the car, well that is until I saw the 08 CTS. I kind of feel like I am driving an old mans car next to the new CTS.

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  Premier Car of the GM Fleet? - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Concerned - September 12 - 3:52 pm

  Whats the rest of the fleet like? Power train good (so far) but stupid stuff - like mechanical mechanism for passenger window replaced at 45000 miles, wheel bearings replaced at 48000 miles, brake sensors corroded and replaced 46000 - all out of warranty, of course. Trunk developed leak at 43000. I buy one owner-off lease vehicles with about 25000 miles on them. Drove Lincoln Continentals for 10 years, bought extended warranties - never once used them - cars each died after 175000 miles. This car would cost a mint to drive 175000 miles. Very disappointing for quality and reliability. Cadillac, youve got a long way to go to be perceived as a quality vehicle.