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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  WOW what a car - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By felicia lavern - September 14 - 2:00 am

  This roadster rides like a big car. It has all the bells and whistles and more.

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  xlr rockss - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By sadfgsdfg - September 14 - 2:00 am

  my experience in a car has never been better.

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  Beckys Escalade - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Baxter2004 - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Great for hauling people or stuff. For a long trip there is nothing better. The Onstar feature and the XM radio make travel more enjoyable.

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  escalade - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By bhorns5 - September 11 - 2:00 am

  best car ive ever owned, not even close

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  No title - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By jhickmon - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Excellent thus far... No negatives..

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  Heaven on Wheels - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By lakewaker - September 10 - 2:00 am

  What a pleasure it is driving anywhere in the country and not worrying about getting lost. We can cruise through the desert listening to XM radio and conquer the city using our navigation system. Smooth acceleration and a powerful, yet quiet, engine makes highway driving a treat.

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  great car/good service - 1993 Cadillac Seville
  By shot - September 8 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car 3yrs old.I got great service over the last eight years.I love this car.

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  Great USA Luxury Convertible - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By cactus ldy - September 7 - 2:00 am

  What a car,cadillac really outdid themselves. It rides like a cadillac,handles exceptionally well, and is FAST. Great to have a luxury convertible, made in the USA.

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  2004 Cadillac Deville Review - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Nile A. Sorenson - September 7 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the finest autombile I have owned. I have driven Cadillacs since 1990 and find this particular car to be the best. I have not had a single requirement to return to the dealer for any adjustments or correction. This car has the comfort and convenience that my wife and I enjoy. We are both in our 70s. We are comfortable, feel safe and secure and confident in its performance. The dealer attention during the sale and since has been superior. It is truly a fine automobile.

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  Love My Catty - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By dayo - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Although i initially brought my SUV for fashion purpose, i must say that its performance on the road has been surpurp. Its as though it hugs the road whenever making a turn.