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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  Took me by surprise - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By ringsoft - December 19 - 7:13 am

  Drove lots of the top-of-the line imports, then after driving a top-of-the-line Saab spotted the CTS on the lot of the same dealer and asked to drive it. Cadillac was not on my list of cars to test so imagine my surprise when I was amazed by the performance. Continued on my new car quest with more import test drives, and after all was done ended up back at the Cadillac dealer and purchased the CTS. Not only did I get a fantastic car I got a fantastic deal ... with the current weakness of the dollar against foreign currency (esp. the Euro) I saved many thousands. The CTS is a true "Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde" car ... a luxury car that turns into a raw sports car at the whim of the driver.

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Steve - December 19 - 3:16 am

  Fun to drive vehicle with excellent build quality. Tight suspension, but not uncomfortable. Holds to the road.

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  great american car - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Jose - December 18 - 2:05 am

  Even in the worst city traffic, the car is doing 17.5 mpg. You dont hear the engine and it will accelerate effortless and smoothly. The design is beautiful and simple, also a very much reliable car.

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  Sweet ride - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Wizzard - December 17 - 8:40 pm

  just bought my first cadillac (srx) earlier this week and i love it, so far the ride is awesome, im a pretty big guy at 63" and two hundred something pounds (ok...closer to three hundred than two hundred but anyway)and i feel comfortable in it, and i just love it.....

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  More than you can Imagine - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By XLR lifer - December 17 - 5:29 pm

  The XLR ia an unbelievable car to drive.The performance will amaze you. It out performs my Porsche which I also truly love. The styling sets it apart from all other cars in ANY class. The luxurious interior makes you feel like a king. I dont know what I like more, the comfort or all the looks and questions I get continuously from admirers. It is truly one of a kind.

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  what-a-car! - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By lars linden - December 17 - 8:58 am

  The Northstar motor in my 1994 Cadillac Seville STS is terrific! Smooth and powerful. I have 145,000 miles and between changes it uses only the oil to lower the level on the dipstick to "add". But why add when it is time to change anyway. The oil life remaining in percentage is a neat feature. Much highway driving will yield as much as 7,000 miles between changes. Gas mileage is between 18 and 22 m.p.g. (city or highway). The cruise control feature I use extensively and is slick. Set it for 8 m.p.h over the speed limit and I am in no danger of getting a ticket. The leather is nice, trunk space is abundant, and the dashboard display is good.

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  1990 Caddy - the last of the great ones. - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By super cadillac - December 15 - 7:38 pm

  The classic lines of the 1990 Cadillac DeVille exude elegance and the responsive engine responds to to the depression of your foot with out hesitation. It is a beatiful thing and an incredibly reliable car, despite the age and cannot be replaced today when you compare the value. If you can find one you to will know what it means to drive a Cadillac. This is the kind of car that has helped Cadillac stay on top. The interior space is unrivaled even by limo standards. My wife and I love to drive this car on long trips and arrive fresh and not tired. Another great, well kept secret is that the car is a monster in the snow. Teenagers get a big surprise at red lights when I leave them in my review mirror in their Ford Mustang 5.0.

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  Driving with my SLS - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By Di - December 15 - 4:35 pm

  My 1994 Cadillac Seville is wonderfully powerful and gets me down the road in fine style. It has quick acceleration with its V8 Northstar engine. I have 135,000 miles on the car now and the interior is still in showroom condition. I recently replaced the shaft on the torque converter (cracked), installed a new water pump and new battery. She still runs strong and steady at this mileage and I hope to have her for years to come.

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  Northstar meets spacious luxury - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By AJM - December 14 - 11:47 pm

  Some might consider the 1996 Cadillac DeVille too large, or a "gas hog," however the true enjoyment is experienced when making a statement driving down the road in superior comfort knowing you could "trash" 95% of the competition in acceleration and comfort. this car is one of Americas finest.

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  Great CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By cts man - December 12 - 2:00 am

  Once I drove it I had to buy it. The car is fun to drive and looks awesome I only wish it had a few more horsepower. Very comfortable interior and the CTS handles great.