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 it!!!! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By lister - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Love it, love it, love it!!!!

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  agjgtj - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By billy bob joe - December 1 - 2:00 am

  this car is awsome. it is really cool because it goes real fast. zoom zoom zoom.

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  Awesome! - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By rkoch - December 1 - 2:00 am

  There is nothing like it on the road!

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  Excellent - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Samantha1245 - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Excellent automobile.. wonderful to drive great build quality, reliability, and exterior design

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  Cadillacs first true sports sedan - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By cigar_surfer - November 30 - 10:00 am

  Cadillac did their homework and nailed the essential qualities required to compete in this class, then went the extra mile and strode into uncharted territory of bold yet elegant styling. In keeping with the sport sedan credo, I opted for a 5 speed stick and lux sport. The car drives beautifully and handles like its crazy glued to the road. Youll feel each undulation of pavement, but thats the way it should be. If you want to float down the road, try a DeVille. The ride is not harsh, and is very quiet. Engine is smooth, quiet and responsive. I feel the interior evokes just the right blend of luxury, ultra modern styling, and purposefull utility.

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  big wences review - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By bigwence - November 29 - 2:00 am

  simply the best car that i have ever owned!! cadillac is the best i will never drive another make in my life!!

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  xlr.......just drive one! - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By cindersmiles - November 29 - 2:00 am

  I learned to drive in a DeVille when I was 16. I have owned 3 Cadillacs since then. I am a 31 year old mother of two. I most recently owned a 1999 Eldorodo. I thought I wanted a CTS until I drove the XLR. They are both, supremely CADILLAC!!!! But, trying to recapture that feeling of young and free, I chose the XLR!!! Just drive one!!!! Look out Lexus, Mercedes, and BMW!!! Cadillac is back!!!!

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  Car with Class - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Robert Campbell - November 29 - 2:00 am

  So much TOO say... THE BEST CAR OUT IN FRONT OF ITS COMPETITORS, hence THEY ARE TRAILING "XLR"! I BELIEVE "XLR" IS THE LEADER XLR IS WAY OUT IN FRONT, THERE IS NO COMPARISON! Killer sound system! QUICK ACCELERATION! I FELL REALLY RICH AND "SAFE" IN THIS FINELY MADE AUTO. HERE IS WHY, "I was in Fort Worth, Texas on a rainy cold day, when a car suddenly braked. I had to slam on my brakes! this Cadillacs brakes work surprisingly so good that it stopped within a few feet of the rear of that car. What amazed me is we were on a decline with wet roads!!! Cadillac has the best brake system I have ever experienced!"

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  Out shines the Vegas Strip - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By JimHarnish - November 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is a work of art. I was driving down the Las Vegas Strip last week and a young man, who was walking around arm in arm with his girlfriend sightseeing, left her standing on the sidewalk, stepped out into the street took out his phone and snapped 3 photos of my Xenon Blue XLR. The fit and finish of this car are excellent, the engine powerfull yet somehow quiet, the handling is precise and lightning quick, the ride is amazing. this car signals a rebirth of Cadillacs proud past.

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  rteawt - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By stanman - November 29 - 2:00 am

  awesome rocks great perfect tight super amazing best car ever you should buy two!