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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  Roomy Rocket - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By BigMan - February 5 - 7:12 am

  I am 65" and did not fit in 90% of the vehicles I tested. If you have similar issues, check this car out. I fit like a glove. The adjustable pedals and seat make it a perfect fit. I bought this car certified used and am quite please after 1500 miles. I never considered an SUV until a test drive and I was hooked. The transmission shifts smoothly and it will go on command at any speed. It is dangerously fast. The speed and feel on any road conditions makes the fun to drive index off the charts. You almost have to be careful. I dont find the interior cheap looking as others have suggested. The MPG ratings are BS. I have averaged about 15 MPG in mixed driving. I dont pass many gas stations.

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  Glad to be Rid of It - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By dan - February 4 - 11:37 pm

  My Cadillac Catera has been nothing but trouble. I have had to make many trips to the dealer for minor repairs. The last problem was that the battery would die every time it rained. I had to meke three trips to the dealer for this problem and they could find nothing wrong. I traded it in and am glad to be rid of it.

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  Best Car I Have Owned - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By mack - February 3 - 8:17 am

  The 2005 Cadillac STS is by far the best car I have ever owned. I traded a 2003 CTS in for this one. The CTS is sort of a "Starter Cadillac." The STS bells and whistles seem to never end. I keep finding new ones. Its ride is awesome.

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  Verdicts Still Out - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By First Caddy Owner - January 30 - 10:56 pm

  I bought this vehicle in April 06. I loved the new style. The remote start and remote lift gate are great! Navigation and XM radio also great. I also love the climate-controlled front seats, heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. GM still cant figure out flat folding 3rd seats though! And no auto up windows? Come on! Also, I hate that it has no telescoping steering wheel. My driver door had rattle since day one. I have been to dealer five times, and they cant stop it. Now I have a vibration in the front dash, too. And, the brakes squeak terribly in cool, damp weather! The dealer looked at them twice and says nothing can be done. This is my fourth GM vehicle, but first with squeaky brakes - and its a Caddy. Overall, I like the vehicle, but am not sure that Id get another one

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  Not the Old Mans Car - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By strack - January 29 - 9:30 pm

  This SUV handles more like a car than a SUV. I have had it for seven months and love it! You think you are driving a sports car when you are not.

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  Sunset Blue Beauty - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Barry from LI - January 28 - 8:39 pm

  I am very impressed with the performance and quality of the CTS. I had been driving BMWs for the past six years but wanted to "Buy American" this time and Cadillac was the way to go. I have the Luxury and 17-inch Sport Packages. The ride and seat comfort far exceed the BMW with only a small sacrifice in handling. It has great acceleration from the 3.6L engine with an automatic transmission. It also has outstanding maneuverability thanks to a super-tight turning circle.

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  Perfect Blend - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By great blend - January 28 - 10:50 am

  I have the 2007 AWD Escalade and if I had to sum it up the words would be "perfect blend." This SUV has more power than any other I have driven, so when I read that it is under powered by other reviews I dont know what their comparing it to? Maybe the Corvette. The improvements in the interior is one the main reasons I bought this vehicle. The nav system is very fast and full of information, while the Bose stereo system sounds incredible, the plasma screen DVD players in front and back are crystal clear. I have the optional 22" rims and to me this SUV still has a smooth ride and takes bumps well. So I say to people who consider this SUV compare apples to apples and you wont be disappointed.

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  Great Car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By LloydF - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This car was not even on my list, but after searching unsucessfully for a G35 with a manual tranny I gave it a look-and boy am I happy I did. IMHO the Infiniti has nothing on this car. The Infiniti has more horsepower, but it doesnt feel faster and it is MUCH louder. Also the Infiniti interior comes off cheap looking for a car in this class in comparison. Drive the Caddy and you instantly feel like youre driving an expensive car. I have owned a LOT of new cars and this one ranks above all save the Corvette. Like the Corvette the car is instantly recongnizable among the masses of 4 wheeled jelly beans on the road. I give the car a 9 out of 10.

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  Overall Great Car to Drive - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Mgoblue2 - January 25 - 12:43 pm

  This is actually my wifes car, but Ill tell you we test drove everything. If you want to fit in and not have your car have a personality go buy the Lexus or Acura. This car offers more room than anything in its class. The others we tested were fine, but the CTS has its own personality and was the best overall ride and drive for us. We tested the 328, G35, IS 350, TL, S40, C- and E-Class. Check this car out for its overall drive. It is a great choice.

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  Nice Drive - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By ike - January 24 - 8:49 pm

  I have had this vehicle for about six months, and I have to say that it is the best vehicle that I have ever owned. My last vehicle was an Expedition, and the motor, driving, interior, exterior of the Escalade are many times better. Great job in making me look so good while driving my vehicle. Just one thing bothers me, actually two. One is the fact that a vehicle like mine does not have a fuel button! I have to go outside:( and the engine key is so not "Cadillac", while other lesser vehicles have push button start ups, and all sort of nice keys, Cadillacs is disappointing. Besides that, this is the best large SUV on the freeway.