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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  A different story - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Glenn - September 26 - 2:00 am

  This is my second of the new restyled SRXs and my 5th new Cadillac. I have to say that I am a bit disappointed with the ride comfort as it is a bit harsh over bumps. When compared to others in its class it is fully an equal, but I expect more from a Cadillac ride and am disappointed every time I feel the bumps and grind. In my first (a 2010) I had the 2.8 turbo AWD because I wanted the power. I hated the turbo lag however. On my second (a 2011) I have the 3.0 AWD and the power is a bit lackluster but I am not planing to drive it in rally races. It joins interstate traffic safely and performs more than acceptably around town. I love everything else about the car and I demand a lot.

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  Outstanding Car - 2010 Cadillac STS
  By Jim - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Diamond White Platinum Series STS. It is an outstanding car: exceedingly comfortable quick response OUTSTANDING fuel economy (city 21 -highway 25+ at 80MPH!). Superb seating and sound system. Overly complicated navigation system as I do not find it to be intuitive – I liked Chrysler’s system much better. Voice Recognition software is problematic - but Im learning to deal with it - ticks me off though. The “CTS” navigation software is used in the STS, which results in technical glitches. So far Cadillac has not fixed this issue. Styling is strikingly stunning – it gets a LOT of looks. Road handling is outstanding. I feel very safe driving I’m very happy to drive this car.

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  I love my SRX. - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Black On Black SRX - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Okay I love my SRX. I bought it just 5 months ago with 91k on it for trade in value! I cant believe i found a black on black and with the nice 18 in wheels and mine is the only one ive seen with SRX mudflaps on all for tires. I havent had much trouble with my caddy. it would jump when it idled so i took it in and just a cylinder was misfiring quick fix and my turn bulb had to be replaced. took it to a caddy dealer and they were horrible so i took it to a gmc dealer and they were great. ive put about 9k on it in the 5 months since i got it and i have to say is i only had about 1 quart of oil when i get it changed at 94k but you just have to watch ur oil. I Love My SRX nothing drives better

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  First Cadillac Ive ever owned - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this car for over 2 years and it has been great! The only issue with it was a recall for the washer fluid heater but other than that its been perfect. This is by far the best car Ive ever owned and Ive had 27 cars! Solid, quiet, fast and fun. If you live in a snowy climate the AWD is a real plus, mine had handled 2 Minnesota snowy winters without a problem. Cadillac did a great job with this and I would not hesitate to recommend it based on my experience.

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  A Fantastic American Sedan - 2010 Cadillac CTS
  By LouG - September 18 - 2:00 am

  Great looking car and fun to drive. Excellent handling and acceleration and feels like a very substantial car when driving. Plenty of interior room and fabulous choice of dash display options. The radio with 6-CD changer is great and has 36 favorite preset station options.

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  A great ride - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By PEARL - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car through a dealership. It had been a lease car. My brother got it for me wholesale. The heater wasnt functioning (December - brrr). I learned only a year ago that it had been in a bad accident and the axle is bent. Also, I knew that there was an oil leak, so I add a quart every other tank of gas. Overall, of the five Ive owned (one Allante), its been the best one yet. Ive gotten 28 mpg on the freeway. Its diamond white, so it still cleans up perfectly. It shines like a diamond when Im looking for it in a parking lot. All those other bubble cars that all look alike cant hold a candle to it. It had 58,000 when I bought it I have 155,000 now.

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  Great SUV - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By dicksc - September 17 - 2:00 am

  I had a 2007 SRX and just purchased a 2010. There is no comparison between the two. I also had a Lexus RX 300 which was a great vehicle and the 2010 SRX is very much like the Lexus.

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  No regrets - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By eracism - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the vehicle with 56,000 miles on it. I drive around 3,000 miles a month. I am 66" tall. The car is comfortable and rides great. It is a V6 and has enough power. I am partial to caddys. My first car was a 1970 sedan deville. I should have purchased the all wheel drive for I live up north and the car is terrible in the snow. I currently have 114,000 miles on it with no problems. i change the oil every 3,000 miles. I am looking forward to reaching 200,000 miles.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Sharon - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Purchased car new and have had only one repair on car in 7 years. Giving car to 22 year old niece who cant wait to own it. It has been a great car. I hope I dont regret giving it up!

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  Pleasure to drive - 2011 Cadillac SRX
  By So Far Pleased - September 11 - 2:00 am

  All I have been reading is how this car is short on power, I traded my 2004 SRX with the 320hp North star engine. This car seems to have all the power from a stop and to pass, anyone could need. Combined fuel mileage I am averaging 21 MPG, only have 1450 miles on it but so far no problems. I did have to remove the front headrest and turn them around, I am tall and they were hitting the back of my neck.