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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  Be careful of Cadillac Certified Vehicles - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Harry - November 15 - 6:31 pm

  This is my fifth Cadillac and will probably be my last. It was supposed to be a Certified Pre Owned vehicle but within a week, it was in the shop for three weeks. They had to replace the dash and auto headlights (they are still broken). The traction control can not be turned off (they say its a computer prob, but cant fix it), there is a pronounced vibration at over 60 mph (the shop says its a characteristic of the car and they cant fix it), and a host of other small problems. I bought the car because it was certified and am sorely disappointed. I always liked Cadillacs but their customer service, at least at my dealership, is horrible. They just dont seem to care one whit. Theyve sold the car now so to heck with the purchaser. Sad, aint it.

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  Wouldnt Buy Again - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Kimberly Gasaway - November 14 - 3:11 am

  There is limited rear visibility due to the head rests in the back. of my 2004 Cadillac SRX. This has always been a problem. The panarama roof is rattling like crazy. The rear light popped off when the car was brand new. They said this was due to the heat of the sun. Also, back hatch bent. When this happened and the car had to be in the shop for some time. The paint was never the same. There has been two more recalls since then. Lastly, the finish on the stereo is peeling. I am having too much trouble with my SRX for a brand new luxury car.

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  2006 Cadillac DTS Performance - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By b wagner - November 14 - 12:29 am

  After owning this car for one week I can truly say that it exceeded my expectations. It performs better than I anticipated, and the ride and luxury are pure Cadillac. The fit and finish are perfect, and the powerful sound of the 4.6 litre engine is great. I have been driving performance luxury cars for years, but this car gives me the room, comfort and the performance combination that I have been searching for. The 18 inch chrome wheel option is a must. The front and rear views of this car are great and the profile gives a nice clean look. I chose light platinum for the exterior and shale interior. The 291 hp matched with the 3.71 differential gives the car a lot of mid range power, 3,000 to 4,000 rpm.

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  V6 STS Review - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By JoeonLI - November 13 - 10:47 pm

  This is my first Cadillac. Ive owned several GM cars, and this one is the best. I leased it, and would get another one without hesitation. The tranny is so seamless, its hard to notice it shift while cranking out music over the 15 speaker system. Cadillac hit a home run here.

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  There are better choices out there - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By buster90 - November 12 - 11:14 pm

  I am very disappointed with my 2006 Cadillac CTS. With a $36,000 sticker price you expect a nice car. It ha no heated seats, no rear seat ducts, no homelink, no power passenger seat, no memory seat, and no compass. This was a joke considering all of the competitors have these options at this price. If you want them...expect to pay around $40,000. The engine noise expecially dugint hard acceleration is loud, I expect this in a $15,000 Pontiac G6, not a $36,000 Cadillac CTS. The build quality cant compare to Infiniti, Lexus, or Acura. There are better cars for the money.

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  Love my Cadillac - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By Giovanni Siciliano - November 12 - 1:29 pm

  My Cadillac Coupe DeVille has just over 100,000 miles on it now. It is still gorgeous, powerful, comfortable, and still turns heads. It is Cotillion White with a matching white top and white leather interior. My car has always been a pleasure to drive. It rides exceptionally well and has always been soft and very quiet. I have had Very limited problems with the car. I plan on keeping it at least five more years, it is still like new in every way. Other drivers are shocked to find out that it is 13 years old. I cannot say enough about the exceptional ride of this car. It feels as though it is floating above the road, there is nothing harsh about the ride.

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  The Best Cadillac Ever! - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Robert - November 12 - 11:16 am

  This is my second Cadillac and so far and it is even better than the the frst! I can truly tell that Cadillac has really worked hard to make this car what it is. When I made the hard choice to turn in my CTS to get the SRX I was reluctant, but as soon as I got it I relized I made the right decision. It handled and drove better than my CTS and it is just an overall better vehicle!

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  Fun, but not up to the Quality of Lexus - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By tom fuller - November 12 - 11:04 am

  My wife and I each have a 2006 Cadillac STS V6 because I feel strongly that I prefer to buy an American car. Unfortunately, my car has been into the shop four times to have trim pieces put back on, and there is a distracting amount of wind noise which cannot be resolved and apparently is just the way the car is. My wifes previous car, a Lexus, was whisper quiet, so were not used to this. If GM wants owners of BMW and Lexus to go to Cadillac, they will have to do some major work on the entire way they build cars and treat their customers. I also own a BMW Z4, and having had this plus the Lexus, going down to a Cadillac has been a shock. So Im not saying I wont get another one, but the jurys still out.

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  Its a true Cadillac - 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By David G. - November 11 - 8:26 am

  This is my fourth Cadillac but my first Escalade. Ive got say now that I am truely spoiled. Nothing else in its class will ever match it. I started to buy an H2 but after driving each...Arnold can have his Hummer. Ill drive a Cadillac thank you.

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  2004 Cadillac SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Todd in Jax, FL - November 10 - 9:15 pm

  We traded a 1999 Cadillac DeVille for our 2004 Cadillac SRX. This is a whole different Cadillac. It is tight, athletic, and a willing performer. We love the UltraView sliding roof. The car has as much get up and go as my 2005 Mustang GT. I love the leather and wood trim. My boys love the DVD system and 3rd row seat. I also am enjoying the awesome premium Bose stereo system and of coure OnStar. This is an excellent vehicle!