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 best ive driven - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By fontes - May 23 - 12:17 pm

  What I like most is the modern, stilish design and beyond all this cars stability. It is a real experience to drive. I have never had a better car to drive and park in tough spots. Its turning radius is excellent.

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  Keep AWAY from this Car - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By LeeinATL - May 23 - 10:08 am

  This car has been a nightmare since I purchased it! The stack of paper from repair work is as thick as a book. The trade in value for the car is as much as the repairs it needs to be able to trade it. I have spent so much on the car that I could have bought another in the time I have owned it. I was even advised by the head of a local Cadillac dealer to get rid of it. This car has been a nightmare for GM and they are not standing behind it.

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  Our SRX - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Fast Eddy - May 20 - 6:42 pm

  The Cadillac STX is terrific in all respects. I love the large sunroof, the sound system and the power rear hatch. My wife loves to drive it because of its ease of parking and incredible tight turning radius, not to mention the added height over our DeVille. This, of course makes seeing the road and other traffic much easier. We do believe this is a safety feature. We feel secure with the knowlege that there are air bags in front, side, and upper side areas. We love the low sill which makes it easy to load and unload the cargo area. People comment about the cutting edge styling of the vehicle all the time. The all wheel drive gives uncommon road traction which, in turn provides the SRX with exciting acceleration.

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  GM Got it Right! - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By RKing99 - May 20 - 5:05 pm

  I really like the car. It is my first Cadillac. It replaced a Q45. It has nice power, a great sound, and excellent build quality. My wife wanted comfortable seats, not European / Japanese hard seats. She really likes the comfort now and does not complain after long trips. The car is really quiet and has an excellent ride. The car has excellent handling abilities on the highway, tight steering, and only a little lean in the corners and curves for a car of this size and comfort.

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  Best midsize cadillac - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Blythe Doane - May 20 - 3:30 pm

  The 2007 Cadillac CTS is a sporty, tight, well designed vehicle.

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  Excellent Car - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By cjnuss - May 20 - 2:43 pm

  This is the thrid Cadillac that I have owned since 1976. The DTS is the best handling and the most quiet of the three. I have the Luxury 2 model with chrome wheels, titanium paint, and the trunk package. I have had no trouble with it since my purchase.

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  Some weak spots - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Louis - May 20 - 12:15 pm

  The car is a pleasure to drive, it has lots of power. It has an excellent stereo system and XM is a nice addition which adds to the driving experience

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  Luxury and Performance - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By David - May 20 - 9:14 am

  This automobile has all the expected features of a smooth and quiet luxury ride and also has the quickness and power of a sports car. It is great to take on the highway for business trips yet it is a comfortable family car for a family of five that includes three teenagers. My 16 year old son relishes driving it.

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  Rocks My World - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Nan - May 19 - 10:51 am

  I have a CTS 3.6 Sport Appearance with the 18" wheels/Luxury Pkg/automatic. After having tested several models in this class and higher I think I have the most striking and best of the bunch. It is comfortable, has great pick up when I need it, and is great for longer trips. Its maneuverability is great, it turns on a dime. I enjoy all of the little toys inside.

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  Fun to Drive - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Lee from NC - May 19 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought this car to replace a comperable size Mercedes. There is simply no comparison, the CTS is more comfortable, provides greater performance, has great eye appeal and all without sending you to the poor house. We purchased the sport luxury package with a 5 speed manual transmission. My wife enjoys the luxury while I enjoy the sporty 5 speed.