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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  My First Caddy - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Mark - November 15 - 4:32 pm

  This is my first American-made vehicle in 15 years...and lovin my new Escalade. It has a wonderful ride and most of the features that I wanted (no Bluetooth -- come on GM!). The exterior styling is fantastic...just the right amount of chrome. The interior is much improved, its wonderful for an American-made SUV. GM still has plenty to learn from Lexus, BMW and Infiniti.

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  This is the Best GM Can Do? - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By John - November 13 - 7:39 pm

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. I took impeccable care of it, yet the engine head gaskets failed starting at 70,000 miles. They would have cost almost $5,000 to fix. I decided to sell the car to mechanic who ended up replacing the engine. At 40,000 to 70,000 miles I had to replace both rear window motors, water pump, radiator, alternator, the dealer had to pull engine to fix oil leaks, two struts failed, and a host of other problems. Some repairs were covered under warranty, no wonder GM cant make a profit on its cars. Many others are have the same problems. This is GMs flagship vehicle? No wonder people are switching to the Asians. My Infiniti has not had any problems in 70,000 miles.

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  MY VETTE - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By NOVAJAKE - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Got my CTS 2 weeks ago and I dont want to get out of it. I always wanted a vette but I couldnt be happier with my blue CTS.Car looks and drives great. Getting alot of complements everywhere I go.I actually enjoy my drive to work now. i looked at AUDI A4, G35, VOLVO S60, FELL IN LOVE WITH THE NEW LOOK,

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  Try again Caddilac :( - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Caddilac_Man - November 12 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but problems with my Caddilac. I was the proud owner of a 97 DeVille and regret the trade. This CTS has been in and out of the shop numerous times already. The airbag light keeps on flashing. The plastic cupholder molding cracked. The passenger side glove compartment hinges broke. Its terrible. This is worse build quality than my winter beater car Chevy Cavalier. Thumbs down to GM. Now as far as the engine, its smooth as silk, but underpowered. Ive never driven a car this underpowered. My Cavalier feels gutsier. Caddilac, give me a V8 next time. Ill never buy another one. Im getting rid of it next month.

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  Amazed - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Jetboy - November 11 - 11:17 pm

  I truly expected to have some problems with this car being limited production and a new design with complicated electronics and top but to my amazement it has been totally trouble free for 16,000 miles now with hundreds of top down cycles. I was considering a Vette when I found this, much better choice for comfort while not giving up much in handling or performance.

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  2006 Cadillac SRX V8 - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By R. Sherlock - November 11 - 8:53 am

  The car is fun and exciting to drive. Its acceleration is excellent. The creature comforts are all there.

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  SRXisSensational - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By hate2land - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Acquired this V6-SRX-RWD in June for my wife. Im "breaking it in" for her; But, truth be told,I cant part with it. The 5-speed auto SNAPs off the shifts with precision if I need to get on it. The V6s variable valve timing pumps torque right out of the chute and hits 255 ft/lbs around 2800RPM. Feels like my Mustang-GT. And it can run nicely on regular gas. Build quality is excellent! Seams are all in alignment: no gaps. Excellent seats and power adjustments. Stock stereo rocks. Handling and ride really surprised me. Much better than any GM product Ive been around. European feel. Only 3800 miles so far but only one problem. Cadillac has a software bug: the two trip meters zero out

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  CTS - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Angela - November 9 - 4:15 pm

  I love everything about my Cadillac CTS, except for a couple of things. It would be better if it were a little roomier and also if the passenger seat was automatic and not manual. Other than those small annoyances the car is perfect and overall I love it!

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  Excellent Luxury Preformance Value - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By Bill - November 9 - 11:07 am

  The Cadillac Seville is a poor mans 7-Series BMW. Why pay more?

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  The Best Caddy - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By limoman - November 8 - 4:04 pm

  The DeVille Concours is the clear winner if you want that full luxury feel, but with agility. It is a flawless car in terms of maintenance and quality. I wish someone now could make such a luxurious interior.