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:

• 

  Lots of Problems - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Cassie - December 4 - 8:19 am

  I have owned a Catera for about two years and its been in the shop almost as long as its been on the road. It has had several problems, including overheating and electrical.

• 

  Could be Better - 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Chad Mollenhauer - December 3 - 12:03 pm

  I really like my 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT until I started to have issues with it. With only 12,000 miles I had had problems with the seat controls, navigation system (x2), rear differental, and cruise issues with wiring. So it to recap it has been less than a good ownership expierence.

• 

  Good Car - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By PLEHMANN - December 2 - 4:34 pm

  If youre looking to upgrade to a luxury vehicle, this is the best starter car you can get for your money.

• 

  STANDARD OF THE WORLD - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By steve taylor - December 2 - 2:00 am

  CADILLAC IS BACK! THE SRX IS A GREAT COMBINATION OF SMOOTH RIDE, FLUID HANDLING, SUPERB WORKMANSHIP & GREAT STYLE. THIS IS A SUPERB VEHICLE THAT PROVES WHAT AN AMERICAN AUTO COMPANY IS ABLE TO PRODUCE.

• 

  The 2005 Cadillac SRX is My Favorite Vehicle - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By EG - November 30 - 2:03 am

  The 2005 Cadillac SRX is a wonderfully comfortable vehicle to drive. The 6-cyclinder engine could be a little peppier, espectially when getting onto highways. I found the steering to be tight and excellent.

• 

  Love Mine - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By J lee - November 29 - 10:07 pm

  I love the power combined with the smooth ride of the Cadillac DTS.

• 

  All in One - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By craig - November 26 - 10:21 pm

  This past year I have owned three cars. The first was an Infinti FX. The FX was a great drivers car but had way too rough of a ride and the rear had little storage. My second car was a brand new Buick Lucerne. It drove great but, didnt fair well in the snow and rain. Also my V6 Lucerne was hard to get in and out of and was sluggish. My Cadillac SRX V6 has very comfortable seats, a functional rear gate, and is nimble and quick. You quickly forget your driving a SUV.

• 

  A Great Station Wagon - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Rod - November 26 - 1:37 am

  We love this vehicle and can really find nothing about which to complain. The power is super, the ride is comfortable, it looks great. It uses a bit more fuel than I would like but if you can afford a Cadillac you can afford the fuel. Nothing about this car is cheap. The Bose radio and XM satellite radio are the best. My wife and I often just turn into the garage and listen to whats playing. My one complaint is the manual could explain some of the buttons more thoroughly. This car is the very best anyone could want.

• 

  More than just transportation - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By S.C. Good - November 25 - 10:34 pm

  I ordered the new V8 Sport SRX with 20-inch wheels and took delivery 11/15/06. This Cadillac has everything I wanted in a new vehicle: great looks smooth, powerful acceleration comfortable ride and attractive, well appointed interior with many driver convenience features. Since my car is also my part-time office, I wanted a vehicle in which I could enjoy time spent in it. Now I prefer my moving office to my stationary one! The Cadillac SRX is much more than just transportation.

• 

  A Great and Fun Car - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Bill - November 25 - 6:31 pm

  This vehicle is not only fun to drive, but undoubtedly it gets the most looks of any car on the road.