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! - 2016 Cadillac ELR
  By Jeff Bauman - May 16 - 12:56 pm

  I knew this would be an awesome car. Mis-understood by the market. I have owned several Cadis. This one has the nicest interior. Show stopping exterior. There is lots of talk out there about lack of horsepower. I am thrilled with the "pick-up". Being electric, the torque is really awesome! I can punch holes in traffic easily and I leave everyone in the dust at stoplights. Does NOT feel underpowered at all. My commute to work allows me to use electric only. WOW!

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  srx appraisal - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By ler - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Truly surprised at the quality and performance. Styling is unique and features are very surprising. Cant wait to drive in an extremely heavy snowfall. The all wheel drive and handling feels like you are "glued" to the road.

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  Lux SUV - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By jack cosgrove - May 11 - 11:51 am

  The vehicle is nothing less than spectacular. I bought it for my wife who is totally enamored with the looks, ride and performance. I opted for the 20" wheels, which saved acouple of bucks, and were a little unique, a good mix for ride quality.

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  This transmission is normal? - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Dave - May 8 - 2:08 pm

  Least satisfying car Ive had in many years. The chief problem is a transmission-- or is it in the electronics-- that wants to stick me in a lower gear whenever the car decides to. I went down a steep mountain in supposed high gear and was going 10 mph at the bottom when I just let it coast. Dealer gave me the old line about European-type transmissions. Another point, I long ago gave up on ever figuring out the information screen controls. Gas mileage is lousy too. Why did I trade my Grand Prix, an excellent car, to "move up"?

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  Good sports sedan value - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Austin TX Caddy - May 7 - 5:07 pm

  Chose the CTS as a pre-owned car, fully loaded with Bose/Luxury package. Overall, its a nice car that drives as well (if not as tautly) as my previous BMW. More car for the money, and a very good used car deal.

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  Maybe expectations were too high - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By brown343 - May 7 - 2:16 pm

  Came off a lease of an Audi A4. The CTS was a new design for 08, which was appealing. Seriously considered the BMW 335xi also. Having more rear leg room and supporting an American company were the deciding factors. However, build quality of my A4 was much better than the CTS. Have already had the CTS in for steering (wheel shakes) and navigation problems. Spending 4 hours at the dealership with a two week-old $48,000 vehicle is quite discouraging. Steering feels "disconnected" from car at times, especially during aggressive driving. Fuel-injectors make a noticeable, annoying hum. Thanks go to a great stereo to mask this. Upon close inspection, my black paint has factory flaws.

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  Huge Mistake - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By Michele - May 6 - 9:50 am

  My husband wanted this car and we traded in our Lexus GX for it. I should have know something when they rushed to take our Lexus. It looks great on the outside, causing accidents when I drive from people looking so hard. Cheaply made bumper (bumped while parked by a car slowing coming out park) and broke clips and bumper. Seat belts are flimsy (my kids as well as myself struggle to buckle in). We are currently trading it in and it has lost so much value the last year (over 10 thousand). Factory Remote start works when it feels like it. I have to push button several times unless I am right next to it. Who needs it then. Dont listen when they tell you that this car can take regular.

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  Class Truck Style - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Monty - May 5 - 2:16 pm

  This is the best truck that I have ever owned. The power, the ride, the look is too much! The heated seats, retracting side step, Nav, DVD all of which is very nice in a truck. Only problem that I have had is when you have the passenger air bag replaced (due to lite comming on and dealer said that it need to be replaced) they were unable to get the airbag flush with the dash. They have put 6 in and none of them will lay flush.

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  Had to get my SRX back! - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Back to SRX! - May 2 - 9:29 pm

  Had an 05 SRX and thought I needed a bigger rig to hall the kids so I got the Yukon XL Denali and then I knew I missed the fun, exillerating drive of the SRX. So Im back. Got the fully loaded V8, all the toys! Rides like a dream, corners like a sports car, hauls the kids with fun. Open sky with both roofs, and AWD for the NH snow! Black on Black...head turning! I think Cadillac missed the call to market this exciting crossover. Fun to drive, quality build, upscale materials, power to spare! Youll love driving the V8. Now go out and get your Caddy SRX and take to the highway. Its a fun sporty crossover.

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  Love My CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Jazzmon - May 2 - 2:56 pm

  My overall impression is very good and consider it a great value for the money. It does handle like a dream. Brakes are excellent. Best car Ive ever driven in the rain, solid feel. High intensity headlights are great. Fuel economy 20 city, 28 highway is a pleasant suprise, especially at todays prices. I would like more horsepower but find the 220hp engine acceptible. Would seriously consider another when the time comes.