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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  First American car in awhile - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By DanV - December 11 - 7:46 am

  Havent owned an American car in years, but after reading reviews, decided to give it a try. My previous car was an 06 Audi A6. Very impressed with this new Cadillac...the CTS has an amazing ride-handling combination, great power with the DI engine, and awesome looks. The perceived quality is on par (if not better) with the top German and Japanese offerings. Time will tell about long term reliability.

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  What a Car! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Paul Myer - December 10 - 4:50 pm

  The 2005 Cadillac STS is a great car that is packed with a lot of useful technology. Its fit and finish were best of any GM car that I have purchased. I drove it off dealer lot about 2,000 miles ago have not been back since. I have never purchased a car before where I could not find something wrong with that needed to go back to the dealer to have fixed. XM radio with the 15 Bose speakers is awesome.

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  My new 2006 XLR - 2006 Cadillac XLR
  By caddyguy - December 10 - 4:51 am

  I just purchased my first new car in my 55 years. I will update this as time passes, but I am pumped about the XLR. It is stunningly beautiful top up or down, and quick and sure on the road. I am hard pressed to understand the marginal reviews of the interior - I find the appointments commensurate for a rig in this price range. The seats adjust to dreamy perfection, the lights and overall vision are excellent. Not being a computer geek type, it is going to take some time to adapt to all the 170 voice commands the car responds to. The hands free phone was a hit with me right off, as is the free OnStar for a year, and XM radio for three months.

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  Ill Never Drive Anything Else - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By Carol - December 9 - 10:59 pm

  I bought my 1995 Cadillac Seville in 1999 when it had 72,000 miles on it. It now has 157,000 miles and is going strong. It looks great and drives wonderfully. I have had one small repair done on it. I replaced tires with Michelins, and that improved the handling greatly. I recently bought a 2001 Cadillac STS and passed this car on to my son. I only hope the newer one is half the car this one has been. It is worth every penny, new or used!

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  Big and Brawny - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By Paul of Las Vegas - December 9 - 7:22 pm

  The professional reviews talk about the Esacalades dated interior, but I think they miss the point. The interior works: its practical, comfortable, and high quality. It may not match the latest BMW or Audi, but thats part of its thugish charm. I test drove a few SUVs, but most were ruled out by the lack of 7-8 seats, the poor customer service of the dealer, or looks. In the end, the only two contenders were Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade. I was surprised by the Lades driving, quality, engine performance, ride, handling, and finally, all those practical touches: from the walk-thru center seats to the Onstar cell phone. I love it - highly recommended!

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  1990 Cadillac Seville - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By Pete - December 9 - 12:59 am

  This car is a joy to operate because of its handling, power, and agility. The fuel consumption is surprisingly good and I average 14 city and 21 highway. The design is classic and will never be out of favor. I wish I could buy a newly manufactured 1990 Cadillac Seville!

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  Love it! - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By RJ Howard - December 8 - 7:00 pm

  This is my first domestic vehicle in ten years and I do love it. It has some of the typical GM creaks and such, but nothing major at all. Also it is a bit low on power, but it is a big truck. It has been a joy to own.

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  Overall Comments After One Year of Ownership - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By susan - December 8 - 6:35 pm

  My 2002 Cadillac Seville STS was exceptional when acquired however, electronics and mechanicals became inoperable, needing complete replacemen. I had to make major mechanical repairs to the engine, steering shaft, stereo, too many to list. It is a good thing they have a long term warranty on their "quality" used vehicles. I am disappointed with the overall experience. The front pilars are wicked blind spots also.

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  Think American Again - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By Doc Z - December 7 - 7:19 pm

  Love the STS. I would change the styling of the interior toward a more ergonomicly friendly center console. Also, the drink holder is less than adequate. I love the performance and the styling, this is my fifth Cadillac, three of which have been the STS model. I will look at the new STS-V when it comes out leter this year. Bring on the German and Japanese luxury cars, so they can go home with their tails between their legs. American engineeing is kicking butt with the STS-V and is ready to take on any challengers in the luxury sedan venue. I have owned Mercedes, Lincoln, Lexus, and BMW and the only one that comes close is the Lexus.

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  cts - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By cosmo_kramer - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the price!