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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  Love my car - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By best car ever - May 23 - 12:46 pm

  Test drove Lexus gs350, BMW335, Audi A6 then by chance looked at a CTS. We have had three Volvos in the last ten years and have been satisfied with all of them. But when I drove the 2008 CTS i was amazed with the drive and looks and feel of the car. I love to sit and play with all the interior features. I find myself asking my wife if she needs something from the store.

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  Right car - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By easy49 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This is the perfect size sedan. Powerful & rides smoothly. Good 360* visibility & easy to park. My last was a 2001 DeVille. Seville is far superior to handle.

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  2004 Cadillac DeVille - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By WJO - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I am 42 years old,63", 220 lbs. I need a comfortable car for business travel. I test drove BMW 5 Series (too small), 7 Series (outrageously expensive and filled with idosynchratic controls and an "I - Drive" computer which is very frustrating to operate). Looked at Lexus - very nice, but about exciting as a bowl of vanilla ice cream (doesnt really stand out as a luxury car - designed in a wind tunnel). The Lexus is highly refined - its like a Rolex.

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  Exotic Machine - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By J.O.Grettenberger - May 21 - 2:00 am

  Truly a headturner. aCTUALLY RECEIVED A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FROM ONLOOKERS AS THE TOP RETRACTED AUTOMATICALLY

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  caddy - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By larry garber - May 20 - 2:00 am

  veary happy with it

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  THANKYOU Cadillac!!! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By firemedic24 - May 19 - 10:00 am

  Unbelievable - that about sums up the CTS. I test drove hoards of vehicles, and even though the CTS may not be the top dog yet, Cadillac defintely did their homework!!! I love absolutely everything about the car. It may only have "220 HP", but with the combination of the Lux Sport package and its handling capabilities, I didnt even notice what car reviews are calling ashortfall in the Engine!

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  Great Buy - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike Neoh - May 15 - 10:00 am

  Just got a 05 black on black CTS equipped w/ auto. trans, sport & luxury pkg, moonroof, a $2,000 V-look pkg( incl V-grille, rear spoiler, dual exhaust chrome & gold emblems ), $1,500 chrome wheels w/ cadillac logo that comes w/ 4 years warranty, int. walnut wood dressing and tinted windows all for less than $38,500 (includes freight, before tax & title ). After the $1,500 conquest rebates and the dealer discount, I figure I saved a good 5-6 grand off MSRP. The look itself is worth every pennies.

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  Luv it - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Paulr44 - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I have never driven any car that is more fun

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  CTS: American Entry-Lux Leader - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By dmaze1325 - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I looked at other class leaders in the entry-level lux groups and went with the CTS- I have not been disappointed. I have owned Audi and the CTS is a refreshing change. Cadillac has a truely fine entry-lux car with the CTS. If you are looking at BMW, Audi, Saab, Lincoln LS or Lexus-give the CTS a test drive, you will be pleasantly surprised! The CTS handling/drive is very impressive- feels like a sport sedan should.

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  The Only Good American Vehicle Left - 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By no name required - May 14 - 10:43 am

  The Cadillac Escalade EXT is beautiful. I hope that Caddy can continue to pour their mind, heart and soul into the next generation of Escalades. Its the only vehicle that the Japaness auto companies havent been able to copy yet!