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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  The Perfect Sedan - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By 9mm - August 24 - 10:47 am

  I used to own a Mercedes and let me tell you, is fantastic. The Cadillac CTS looks, performance, build quality, and comfort, are all superior to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

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  Dont Buy - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Lee Martin - August 23 - 6:33 am

  The Cadillac SRX is a rattle trap. The moonroof creeks, rattles, and pops. The front rattles over slight bumps. My car went to the dealer for a lube job that only lasted for a month and then tje rattles came back. This vehicle rides like a pickup truck. It does have plenty of power and handles nicely. It is not worth the money.

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  Not the Best in the World - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By ATICO - August 21 - 6:01 pm

  All four tires on my 2004 Cadillac SRX, Goodyear Eagles, cupped within the first 5,000 miles. They made horrible noise. I could not get anyone to listen to me until the car had 24,000 miles on it and rode and sounded like a Sherman Tank. The battery had to be replaced. I also had the tire monitor repaired three times and the door seal reaplaced.

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  My Last Eldorado - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Jerry Cosby - August 21 - 1:48 pm

  Ive driven three previous Cadillac Eldorados, plus Sevilles. You just cant beat their performance, looks, and just the plain feeling of excellence when youre driving down the street. Theres still magic in the name "Cadillac," and I love it. I once had a vanity plate that said "Just coz." When people ask why I drive a Caddy I like to say, "Just coz." Cause I can afford to, I guess.

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  Overall Pleased - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Ray - August 21 - 1:27 pm

  This vehicle was the largest of the entry-level sports sedans that were available, and Im glad that I got this over smaller competitors (G35, Audi A4, etc.). The ride is excellent. I had a few reliability problems, but the dealer took care of them.

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  Best Vehicle Ive Ever Purchased! - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Steven - August 20 - 10:01 pm

  This is my first Cadillac and it will not be my last. The vehicle is a head turner and I have received many compliments from friends and other drivers. The ultra view sunroof is a must have. Its a fun vehicle to drive. Im a very satisfied customer.

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  Excellent, Love it! - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Ali - August 20 - 10:32 am

  I used to buy Nissans and Hondas for all these years. I am very happy with the decision that I made to buy a Cadillac CTS. It is just excellent.

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  Great On All Roads - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By John Morookian - August 20 - 2:17 am

  Im retired. Other than local driving, I take long trips with one or no passengers. My CTSs sport suspension, Stabilitrack, traction control, 17" Wheels, etc. make it handle great on Interstates and secondary roads. The seats allow comfort for 8 - 10 hours behind the wheel. I drive from Prescott, Arizona to both Southern and Northern California often. I have enjoyed separate drives to: the Canadian Rockies, Branson MO, Durango and Salida CO, Washington, D.C., Roswell NM, and Tombstone, AZ. I have installed a dashboard mounted GPS Navigation Unit that has proven invaluable. The fold-down rear seat-backs allow me to carry my Mountain Bike to nearby bike trails. It does what I want it to!

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  CTS is a Great Car! - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Jeff - August 19 - 8:57 am

  I wanted to buy American but haved owned Mercedes, BMW, and Audi in the past. I shopped all those but purchased 3.6 CTS with the sport and lux package. What a great car! The center stack is a little odd, but truly functional. The stereo needs autospeed adjustment. Those are the two little problems that I have with this car, other than that it is great. Its quiet, firm, and has a good ride at speed and around town. Its edgy looks and Cadillac emblem now command interest among all ages. I wish it had external speakers so it could broadcast Led Zep while driving down road. Good job Cadillac and GM! Dont be surprised, this car uses synthetic oil.

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  BMW 330 DESTROYER!!! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By CADILLAC - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I can say you can not get a better deal for the money. It is a sports car and a luxury car at the same time and nicely balanced. I drove a 330 and C320 and CTS is way better. It offers a spacious interior alot of luxury features and has handling of a Corvette.This is the best Cadillac ever.THIS IS A TRUE LUXURY PERFORMANCE CAR. IF YOU BUY IT YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.