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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  Smooth Operator - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By catmike - July 19 - 9:23 pm

  This car handles and rides very well. It accelerates quickly and has the power to maneuver yet its easy on the gasoline. We do a 50/50 mix of city/hwy and get about 25 mpg average. The interior is not plush but is solid. There is good leg and head room for tall front seat passengers.

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  Excellent Car - 1991 Cadillac Seville
  By Joel - July 18 - 2:42 pm

  I purchased this car used with 162,000 miles on it. The previous owner did an excellent job at maintaining it. For its age, the car is great. The interior has held up well. The paint still shines and the car has incredible power. With the exception of the sentinel lighting, all of the power options still work. Overall, it is very well built, with no mechanical problems.

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  Awesome SUV - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By HAPPY GUY - July 18 - 1:20 pm

  I traded in my 2003 Escalade for the new 07 model. When I first saw them I wasnt sold, but after a closer look and examining the interior, I was sold. This truck is great...its scary how much Cadillac stepped up their game to compete with Lexus and Infiniti. The previous models had kiddie interior layouts but this layout meets the money that you pay for the truck. I am very pleased and have no regrets about spending the extra money.

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  First DeVille - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Paul - July 18 - 12:38 pm

  This is our first Cadillac. We purchased it as a certified pre-owned car at a reasonable price. The warranty and the car have more than exceeded our expectations.

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  After a long look, I bought a Caddy - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By vj - July 16 - 5:24 pm

  I looked long and hard for a new ride. We test drove a Toyota Avalon, Infiniti, and Ford 500. I went to this Cadillac because of the exterior styling and a little improvement in fuel economy over my Tahoe Z71. We love the performance Ive also owned a Corvette and the ride and handling of the CTS are comparable and in some respects better given that the Vet blows you away with power. But I always wanted a powerful, comfortable family car that had some style and looks like I found it. The interior is roomy enough for the men in my family, all of them over 6 feet and 200+ lbs. But is quick and agile for me by myself.

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  02 Cadillac ESC - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By M Miller - July 16 - 12:33 pm

  The Cadillac Eldorado is a eonderful car. Its an absolute joy to drive. The seats hug your rear. It is a vast improvement over the 94 model that I previously owned.

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  Wonderful Wagon - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By jean Macchiavelli - July 15 - 11:54 pm

  This my sisxteenth brand new Cadillac it is the best yet. It rides and drives like my sedans and makes me feel like the Queen of the Road. It has great pick up, is easy to park, and makes me feel protected.

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  Before the Change - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Alan Bradford - July 15 - 6:21 pm

  This car is the perfect size and fit for tall drivers and suits smaller drivers as well. When the change comes in 2008, may the same be said about the space.

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  Excellent SUV - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Jack T. Clark - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Excellent ride and has a lot of horse power when you want to pass. Build Quality is as good or better then the imported SUVs.

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  THE BEAST OF ALL TRUCKS. - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Wilton - July 15 - 2:00 am

  ITS A CADILLAC. NO MORE QUESTIONS.