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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  Satisfied Customer - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By The white streak! - May 10 - 4:39 pm

  I really enjoy the vehicle and love the look and feel! I have experienced squeeking in my breaks though. All of the interior features are generally wonderful. It can be difficult to get into the vehicle, but overall the ride and feel are wonderful! I have had many had many people comment on the look of the car and most people are in love with it!

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  Very, very happy - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Happy owner - May 10 - 2:35 am

  I have had my DTS Performance for 3 months and with the exception of its fuel consumption I could not be happier. Ive had several back operations and needed a comfortable smooth riding car I got beyond my expectations with the DTS. It has power to spare. Comfort and ameneties are plentiful. My favorite option is the adaptive cruise control which does an amazing job maitaining safe spacing between cars. The front and rear heated/cooled seats are extremely comfortable. The sound system is excellent though with the nav system you loose the six disc changer. Other manufacturers manage to have a CD changer with nav system. GM should do so too. Everything else is great.

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  Nice Car for the Price - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By sleepla - May 9 - 10:00 pm

  I got an ex-rental Cadillac DTS for $32,000. In my opinion, it is the best car for the money.

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  Best Yet - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Betty Henson - May 9 - 9:53 pm

  I have been driving Cadillacs since 1976 and this 2006 DTS is my favorite of all. I love the new body style, as well as the improvements on the inside. The color is Blue Ice, beautiful, rich color.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Koka - May 9 - 10:22 am

  This car is the perfect vehicle for my wife and I. We are both senior citizens and are retired. Driving it gives us a sense comfort that no other vehicle has given us. Its truly a fun car to drive and has lots of pep.

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  What a great suprise - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Agbacker - May 9 - 10:00 am

  I came home after getting a raise to tell my wife I wanted to get her an Escalade for her birthday. To my surprise, she said that she had been driving SUVs for 13 years and since our kids were driving she wanted something fun. This has proven to be a big hit - solid construction, great looking and FUN to drive. This is a big step in the right direction for Cadillac.

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  Pleasant Surprise - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Robert L. Nabors - May 8 - 8:30 pm

  The Cadillac SRX is the most amazing vehicle that I have ever owned. It is beautiful (inside and out), luxurious, comfortable, fast and posesses impeccable road manners. It handles like a dream. When I drive or park the vehicle, it turns heads. On several occasions, people have actually stopped to ask me about the car. When I cite the long list of its virtues, you can tell that the questioners are deeply impressed. I cannot imagine why it took me so long to buy a Cadillac! It has been worth every penny!

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  2000 DeVille - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By 2000 DHS - May 7 - 7:48 pm

  The trade-off between handling and comfort is excellent. For a large heavy car with a relatively powerful V8,the fuel ecomony is very good. I changed the front tie-rods and front engine mount after 60,000 miles. Also, the front seat warmers no longer work and the Northstar engine burns oil. Other than that, this is a great car.

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  Poor Car - 2016 Cadillac CT6
  By sd - May 7 - 1:41 am

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  An American Car Makes the Grade! - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By RAN - May 6 - 10:29 am

  For years I have driven foreign luxury cars because American car companies did not build the car I wanted to drive. The CTS is finally an American car that has a place in my garage. The CTS is very comfortable, quiet, just the right size, has unique styling, and I am averaging 29 mpg on the highway. The construction of the car is very solid and the Cadilac Division of GM has done a remarkable job in following up to make sure I am 100% satisfied with the CTS.