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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  Great Car - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By tom marino - April 5 - 10:02 am

  The 2005 Cadillac CTS rides great and looks great. It needs better tires though. The Goodyears that mine came with had to be replaced at 18,000 miles.

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  Overall opinion - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By dippers - April 4 - 5:16 pm

  I am quite disappointed with the overall performance. I find the ride to be very uncomfortable. Also, there is excessive road (tire) noise at highway speeds. The front end feels sloppy going over small (speed) bumps. The front struts were replaced approximately two weeks after purchase. I wasnt aware of the diffence in tire size between front and rear which negates tire rotation. I also average about 14 mpg city driving not 17. This will definitely not be my car choice in the future.

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  Collectable for sure! - 1993 Cadillac Allante
  By William - April 4 - 4:30 pm

  I have had 3 Allantes since they came out, a 1987, 1990, and a 1993. The 93 is a fantastic vehicle. Its fast, fun, and great all year long. I would be happy if the car was still being built...meanwhile, it a great daily rider and a good collectable.

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  Power, Luxury, Price Equals Value - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Skyking - April 4 - 7:38 am

  After looking at V8 models of comparable cars from Inifinti, Lexus, and Mercedes I discovered the answer was built in America, In style, performance, technology, comfort, convience, and luxury the the Cadillac STS added up to value. The convenience of making a call and having the car picked up for service with a loaner STS dropped off cannot be beat. It is everything I was looking for in a car for less money than the competitors. When more costs less I consider that the mark of VALUE.

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  Sorry... I lose!!! - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Jac122 - April 2 - 7:32 pm

  This is my second Caddy. I owned a 2003 Seville SLS, what a perfect car. I looked forward to all the "goodies" in the 2006 model....WHAT A MISTAKE! The car is so sluggish it remains in 5th gear most of the time. Press the accelerator and HOPE, then pray it responds usually wont. Bluetooth has no teeth. Frequently does not recognize phone, and does not work while driving. The voice recognition does not recognize ANYONE! Its gas mileage is only about 15 mpg. GM knows of the sluggishness and says "it’s up to specs" “Your loss buddy.” Just give me my 2003 SLS and well call it even. If you are considering a 06 STS V6 AWD, beware and test drive extensively first.

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  The King of Automobiles - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Lord Fleetwood - March 31 - 11:50 pm

  I have owned this car for several years and the only repair I have had to do is replace the AC compressor. This car is the last of GMs true full-size rear-wheel drive vehicles, and it is a shame they stopped making them. This car excels in practically every area. Its design is classy and turns heads. It is an impressive looking car - long with a big grill in the front and fins in the back. Its ride is smooth and solid and offers unparalleled comfort. The interior room is enormous. No car since has offered the interior room this car has. Even though this car is heavy, the 5.7 liter engine moves it like a champ. You can drive with just a toe on the pedal and it still gets around 20-24 MPG.

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  Fun and comfortable car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Boomdog - March 30 - 9:12 pm

  The Cadillac CTS is a fun car to drive, very comfortable as well. It handles very well. You can drive this car like a traditional Caddy, or turn it on and drive it like a sports car.

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  Fun to Drive - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By Fred - March 30 - 9:07 pm

  We live in Montana, lots of open road. Great acceleration even on the hills. Corners well, fun to drive. Fuel economy is about 25 mpg over 2000 miles driven. Smooth shifting. Great gadgets, stereo is the best Ive ever had. Quiet ride even on bad roads. Handles very well in snow and ice.

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  Makes me Feel Like a King - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By Eric - March 28 - 7:58 pm

  When I finally had it with foreign make cars, I found this beauty at a used car lot and to my surprise, it was very cheap. It was only cheap because the driver door didnt open at all. After a test drive, I knew I had to have this car. It had about 121, 000 miles on it but drove like it had only 1,000. Everytime I get into it, I feel nothing but pure relaxation and like I can drive for days at a time. It still needs some minor work, but I am making this classic my new hobby and gonna restore this thing to its orginal beauty.

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  Not as good as expected - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Richard Balling - March 28 - 3:36 pm

  The engine in my Cadillac SRX is noisy on acceleration. It whines like a car trying to shift out of first gear. Also, there is not enough room in the back seat (second seat). It has a very stiff ride.