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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  Switched - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Arturo - June 26 - 10:38 pm

  I had to have the the fuel tank in my 05 STS replaced, the fuel gauage repaired, and replaced the main module that controls the memory. I was informed after purchase that the DRL will not function if you opt to engage the auto rain sensing wipers even if the manual indicates that you can.

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  Why doesnt Cadillac Listen! - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Bobb - June 26 - 10:24 pm

  My new STS is a well built alternative to the off shore crowd. I find it to be a quiet car with enough power to give it that "fun"factor." All in all, I am satisfied with the vehicle. That said, there are many shortcommings with the car that Cadillac never should have allowed to pass. The storage inside the car is just pitiful. The glove box is not large enough to fit my gloves in! The center console is tiny and there is no back seat storage to speak of. But it is the electronics that really sour my opinion of the car. Voice recognition? Not my voice. Want to use your Bluetooth phone? Not while you are moving. Change your destination on the Nav? Have to stop the car! This is simply a stupid design.

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  My First Cadillac - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By Mark - June 26 - 4:47 pm

  The 97 DeVille has a very comfortable ride. It is also very reliable. It has a great sound system -- Bose comes standard, I guess. Its gas mileage is actually decent, considering how big a car it is. If I drive "sensibly," I can get about 28 mpg on the freeway and about 18-19 on city streets.

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  Great Little Caddie - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Reggie Day - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Our 5th Cadillac... 3 Devilles and 1 Eldorado. This sporty little beauty is what Cadillac is all about, now and in the future. It is fun to drive and is definitely an "eye-catcher".

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  like my cts - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By blanik - June 26 - 10:00 am

  My CTS is very enjoyable to drive. It is responsive, yet the suspension is not harsh. Plenty of power with the 5 speed manual. The car seems solidly built, with no rattles or wind noises. It is a comfortable ride although interior materials seem a little plain.

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  Grrrrrrrrrrrrreat! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By BMO from PA - June 26 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Caddie, and by Far the better of the two, if you are thinking about getting one? Go For It! I had a Lexus, it was great too, but you get pretty much just as much for much less money. Not one single problem with it and I waited over six months to write this, so I would be sure No Problems! :-)

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  EXT - 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Al Ginolfi - June 25 - 1:16 pm

  Fun to drive, great acceleration and handling. Great styling.

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  You get what you pay for! - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By LK - June 25 - 8:55 am

  I confess...the 07 Cadillac Escalade appearance sucked me in. There have been many changes in to it for 07, like a new ft suspension, punched out the 6.0 to 6.2L added more HP, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, and other great creature comforts. If you have a need for a large SUV, this is the one! The gas mileage is great for it’s class!. Dont hate the luxury sport UTILITY vehicle and its mileage...hate the people who buy one with out really needing them! If your like me and spend a lot of time in your vehicle, tow occasionally, haul light materials.. Maybe it is time you pampered yourself? It is everything I expected. The 08 model can only get better from here.

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  Nicks Caddy - 2016 Cadillac CTS
  By Nick olheiser - June 24 - 10:43 pm

  Love it!

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  Great Experience - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Keith Jones - June 22 - 9:12 pm

  Ive only had this car for 2 months. I has been quite an enjoyable experience driving it. I usually drive it when Im making trips for the weekend or on vacations. It has great acceleration and a very stylish apperance. I really like the Bose stereo system. Last but not least, the gas mileage is really good.