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:

• 

  Very Fast / Sips Fuel - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By vicar - August 5 - 6:56 pm

  My 1995 Cadillac Seville does 0-60 in 6.6 sec., which is quick by any standard. There are lots of embarrassed hotshots driving Infiniti G35s, Infiniti FX35s, some elderly Camaros & Mustangs wondering what happened. Also, noted a number of complaints regarding fuel mileage - my experience is just the opposite- I cant believe a vehicle with this kind of performance gets 19.8 mpg in mixed city driving and 26 to 28 mpg at 70 to 80 mph on the highway. Amazing- or maybe I have a light foot. My 2005 Honda CRV gets 21 mpg in the city and 26 to 28 mpg on the highway and it sure doesnt crank like the Caddy.

• 

  Back in a Cadillac - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Richard Guizlo - August 5 - 10:17 am

  After a ten year hiatus, I decided to give Cadillac another shot, and so far Im really glad I did. I am really enjoying my SRX. It is a great ride, and so far I have zero complaints. I chose the SRX over BMW X-5 and Infiniti FX35 because I couldnt see paying that much more for those.

• 

  Porsche owner buys the Caddy - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By francosuisse - August 2 - 6:48 pm

  As an owner of a Porsche 911 C4, I was going to buy a Cayenne S. But after I test-drove both the Porsche and the Cadillac SRX, there was no hesitation anymore. The SRX feeling on the road is much better than the Cayenne (probably the magentic ride control). I also add the impression that it was better performing than the Porsche (esp. the auto 5-speed transmission is better tuned to the engine).

• 

  A solid very well built auto - the Deville - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Ronnie Cy - August 2 - 3:12 pm

  I love driving my Cadillac DeVille. On trips have set the cruise, air on and got 30 mpg (accoring to vehicles computer), and wifes calculations. Very good engine, never add oil except when it is changed. I am happy to be in the Caddy family.

• 

  great vehicle - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Ben Hartner - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I love my new caddy. I felt that a caddy was for some older person until I saw and drove the SRX. The SRX is sporty, quick,comfortable.

• 

  SRX CADILLAC REVIEW - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By LEADOWN - August 2 - 2:00 am

  THE STEERING IS AS RESPONSIVE AS A GOOD SPORTS CAR AND THE BRAKES ARE EXCEPTIONAL. THE SEATS ARE SOFT AND EASY TO LIVE WITH.

• 

  2004 - Great Car - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By PAT - August 1 - 12:56 pm

  Great trick. I get tons of great comments on its looks (we have 22" Custom wheels) Feel proud to drive it. Dealer has been excellent in dealing with any issues - large or small.

• 

  Love it! - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By lcastleton - August 1 - 10:55 am

  After three prior DeVilles, all basic, the DHS was a very, very pleasant surprise. I should not have deprived myself of the luxury package. It has made me even more of a DeVille lover. I worry about the 06 DTS, since I love a bench seat in the front. Dont even want to trade this one!

• 

  Cadillac STS - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By GARRY - July 31 - 10:37 pm

  After 3 Lexus models in a row, I decided on an STS. It was the best auto choice Ive made in years. Better dealership, better cost, and a far superior car. Much more fun to drive and far superior in design of features.

• 

  Troy - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Troy - July 31 - 9:12 pm

  The Cadillac SRX has great utility and curb appeal and it drives like a sports car rather than like a truck. It has more power than all other SUVs except for the Poirsche Cayenne.