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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  Love it - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By thompsrw - June 22 - 5:15 pm

  Ive had my 07 now for about 3 months. All in all I love it. Reading through a few reviews made me worried because of the reliability etc. Ive not had a single issue with mine. Only issue I have is the gas mileage. But lets be honest, were not buying an SUV this size for gas mileage. Turning radius is incredible, speed and power is perfect and the looks both in and out are top of the line- bar none. Expensive but worth it. Ive test driven and owned several other luxury SUVs - BMW, Navigator, Range Rover etc., and Im still glad I bought it.

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  Great Wheels - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Hilbilly - June 21 - 7:44 pm

  Got my new Slade about a month ago. So far has 1000 miles. Love the power and comfort. The 403 hp enables me to quickly pass just about anything but a gas station. But I knew what I was in for and am pleasantly surprised by the highway mileage of 19 mpg. Around town its less but thats the price you pay. Seats are very comfortable and long drives are no problem. Love the audio/nav system and the muted ride when the road is a bit rough. But its still a truck. That said, theres absolutely no other vehicle I’d rather have than this one. Three friend recently bought Toyota Sequoia, Lexus GX and Aston Martin. Ill take my Escalade over them any day.

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  Great car - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By sue clabaugh - June 20 - 5:41 pm

  Second owner. Had 16,000 miles when bought. Has driven beautifully. Very few problems and a comfort to drive long distances. Usually noticed as Wow! One of a kind for years on it. Saw it on the lot and was love at first sight, still is.

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  2006 DTS Performance Sedan - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Lloyd - June 20 - 8:43 am

  Awsome vehicle very comfortable with performance and great handling. The Performance edition with the larger engine gives a little extra punch, the ride is much better with the enhanced suspension and ride package, takes bumps and railroad tracks with ease. Brakes very well stops on a dime while holding the road. Navagation system combined with onstar is easy to use and very accurate. Bose soundsystem with centerpoint sounds awsome especially with XM or a CD in play. I am very comfortable in my driver seat for a long drive thanks to 8 way power seats with memory and the cooling and massage features.

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  Not Worth The Money - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Brighton - June 18 - 8:20 am

  The V8 engine works well on flat straight roads. With the mountain driving I do, the 6 speed is geared too high and it continously losses powers and shifts, even in the S mode. In a 25 mile stretch of mountain driving the engine shifted 40 times in regular drive and 33 times in the "s" mode. Very dissappointed in the performance of this car. The back up warning is useless, the is only a audio warning when you are within 12 to 18 inches of an object and only if your reverse speed is 3 to 5 mph. Otherwise you are required to look about the back window for lights to determine if there is something behind you.

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  Best Caddy ever - 1991 Cadillac Seville
  By MR. Cadillac - June 16 - 11:04 pm

  i recently got this from my father to drive around New York City. Okay the car is horrible on gas. However that doesnt matter once you hit the highway in it. It quickly accelerates but wish it had more power. However Im disappointed that Caddy doesnt make the newer STS in the design of this one because this is truly an American muscle classic and its a Cadillac. Its pretty reliable, however it does have its occasional problems and the speakers stink, but the car is as old as me so go figure. However I love it and wish Caddy would make their cars looking after this one. Its true=ly the last of an era and should be an American classic.

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  My first Cadillac, and not my last! - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By TX Lady - June 15 - 3:04 pm

  I absolutely love my SRX! I looked at these for two years before finally taking the plunge with a 2007 V6 with the third row power folding seat. I wasnt sure I really wanted an SUV since I had driven a luxury sedan for years, but the transition was effortless. My husband wanted me to get the Ecalade but I felt that was just too big but the SRX is perfect! The ride is wonderful, and I have no problem parking and turning like you can have with other large SUVs.

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  Excellent - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Michelle - June 15 - 5:00 am

  Great car! I recommend it to everyone, especially those with children and those who travel!

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  2ND Time Around! - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By Transporter - June 11 - 11:21 pm

  Had a 2002 Escalade and found a great deal on new 2006 AWD that had been on the lot. Some minor changes such as XM stereo, navigation, phone from the 2002. Rides a little smoother. All in all another great SUV. Have averaged 18.5 MPG on freeway a liitle better than the 2002 which was 17.5. No one mistakes this Cadillac SUV for just another SUV.

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  Best Caddie I owned - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By steve - June 10 - 7:46 am

  I just bought this 98 and fist day I was a little uncomfortable till I found the right seat setting and I started a love affair with the car. To get in and sit down a smile from ear to ear comes across my face. Stomp on the throtle and the car flies like a 1970 Elderado. I am impressed. Handles the best of any Caddie I owmed. I have to watch the speed because I seem to do 80 pulling out on the highway. The car looks new and everyone loves the car and asks about it. She is a keeper for the long run.