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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  Rons Stealth Gray/Cashmere STS - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Ron - February 12 - 6:50 pm

  This is a good car with great incentives to buy or lease. The ride is firm and quiet. If you want the cushy ride of yesteryear move on. Its quiet and feels good at highway speeds. The V6 is quite impressive, smooth and fast off the line or for passing. It is quieter than the noisy Northstar V8. Its gas mileage is fair, but its regular gas so deal with it! I have the cashmere interior with lighter wood trim and steering wheel...awesome look. The electronics are a challenge, but good. The voice recognition needs improvement. Im not disappointed at all.

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  Sensible, Safe Luxury - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By paul - February 11 - 5:27 pm

  I have a family of four and we wanted an AWD SUV with the optional 3rd row seat. I wanted something sporty and fast, my wife wanted the ideal soccer mom ride. The SRX is both, a great family hauler that feels safe and is reliable in all conditions. We love the heated seats, handling in ice and snow, traction control and stopping power. But wait, this vehicle is fast and handles extremely well, feeling like a luxury sedan and not a nicely wrapped truck. It has beautiful fit and finish, great Bose sound, and a quiet interior. I did exhaustive research before buying, comparing the SRX to the MDX and RAV4. It was no contest, and Ive never owned a Cadillac before.

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  1993 Cadillac Seville STS - 1993 Cadillac Seville
  By Sam Morris - February 11 - 12:15 pm

  The 1993 Cadillac Seville STS with 295 HP on board, the Northstar 4.6L made it a legitimate performance car. Additionally, such items as equal-length driveshafts, a new electronically controlled 4T80-E transmission, fluidic engine mounts and Bosch ASRIIU traction control, are just a few items of technology packed into the 1993 Cadillac Seville STS. The 1993 Cadillac Seville STS displays fine road manners and a rock-solid feel, thanks to a stiffened chassis. Its road noise was reduced, and its improved engine-mounting better isolated the V8 from the passenger compartment. Its acceleration is brisk with the 4.6-liter engine, never lacking for strength whether in the city or on the highway.

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  Finally a Real Winner - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By 2006 Cadillac DTS - February 9 - 10:12 am

  I love to drive this car. After having several Cadillacs, none of them came close to this one. Its room, comfort, and performance are all up there and its priced right!

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  Worst Car Ive Ever Owned - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Joe - February 8 - 8:28 pm

  This is the worst vehicle Ive ever owned. It has had too many problems to list, but they include the audio computer programed for a CTS, the wrong seat installed, water leaks, power window failures, etc. I cant believe Cadillac put its name on this car. Too bad because I love the looks both inside and out. Its comfortable on the highway and very pleasant to drive anywhere. It could have better gas mileage, though. Its the right size and has good storage capacity. Ive had lots of people admire it and ask how I like it. Too bad I have to tell them what a lemon it is.

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  Caddie Junk - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By JimB - February 8 - 11:46 am

  My Catera was in the shop numerous times. I quickly learned to hate the car. GM did nothing to help.

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  My Moonstone 05 "Ecstacy" - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Goofa - February 8 - 10:00 am

  What a value! For the price, this vehicle has it all. Performance, handling, safety, quality build, and of couse "Eye Appeal". This car loves to be driven.

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  Luv My Caddy - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Jim Smith - February 7 - 8:10 pm

  This is my first caddy. I love this car! I test drove a BMW and a then I drove this car. I would buy this over any BMW! I drove over 12 different makes and models and then I bought my caddy.

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  2003 DeVille - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By thawyzard - February 6 - 4:07 pm

  I drive my DeVille on the open road and in the city. It has the smoothest ride ever. I drive 30,000 miles per year. The DeVille is the most comfortable car that I have ever owned. Its gas mileage is dependent upon the speed you drive. I have driven it 100,000 miles with few problems, none serious. I have never been left sever stranded or towed etc. I had problems with the air conditioner fan and a few interior pieces had to be replaced. Otherwise, this is a very good, A+++ car.

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  Safety - 2011 Cadillac DTS
  By KENNETH KOFAHL - February 5 - 8:07 pm