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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  Love my caddy - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By 03caddy - May 19 - 5:40 pm

  I was apprehensive about buying the car b/c I know the catera was such a dud. But the cadillac certified warranty and the $12K in depreciation convinced me to buy this car used. I have had no problems with it. Best fit and finish I have ever seen on American car, very tight panel gaps. Handling is on par w/ 535 bimmer I once had and absolutely blows it away off the line. Gets front rowed every time I valet. Interior is a little tight but very warm with full wood pkg. Love the bose/nav radio. hate the traction control and stabilitrac systems, they take away from the fun factor of having RWD. also needs a hand brake instead of foot brake.

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  Buyer beware - 2010 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By mother8 - May 19 - 2:59 pm

  The electrical system has gone out four times in 6 weeks. This means no power steering, power brakes, gas etc. No power! This makes the vehicle a liability on the road. I am getting very little support from the dealer to resolve this issue. This vehicle needs to be taken off the road before someone gets hurt or even worse killed. Traveling at a high speed on the freeway without power as I experienced was quite frightening to say the least. Every time the system has failed I was traveling in traffic. Not sure if this is a Hybrid, Cadillac or Escalade issue?

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  Handles Like a Sport Sedan - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By silver streak - May 18 - 12:16 pm

  The most impressive thing about my SRX is the ride. Very responsive, roomy and the kids love the third row of seats. Living in the sunbelt, I have a RWD 6 which is quite responsive without breaking the bank at the fuel pumps (runs fine on regular). Ultraview sunroof is like driving an SUV convertible. I made a smart decision in choosing this vehicle.

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  These are nice cars! - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By STS Lover - May 17 - 6:34 pm

  This car is simply awesome. We have had the car for 6 months now and no issues. Drives and Looks great! Love the power, and comfort. Mileage for this much power and size of car is amazing. Front wheel drive and Stabilitrak makes driving in snow a joy. Interiors and engines in these cars seem to last forever! At speed and I’ve had mine will over 100 MPH on several occasion these cars a stable and smooth. Would recommend one to anyone.

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  Noisy, Spirited SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By tahoe66 - May 17 - 3:18 pm

  Having had 9 Tahoes, I expexted a vehicle at least as quiet in the SRX. The AWD mated with the V6 is agile, spirited and fun to drive, but much busier sounding than our Trailblazer at 14 grand less. Fuel economy not much better than the Tahoe (the only reason I switched). Seats are superb, navigation system is great, but one needs the eyes of an eagle to read the clock & temp. Ultraview roof is a mixed bag, big open air feeling, noisy when open, creaks open or closed. Third row seat should not be powered, takes forever to raise and lower. Over all quality less than I had hoped for, but nothing major, just small annoyances. Can not believe XM radio and rain sensing wipers werent standard.

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  XLR -The Future of Luxury & Performance - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Artie A - May 16 - 6:36 pm

  The stellar appearance and superior performance of my 2004 Cadillac XLR leaves other motorists (and their passengers) numb with admiration (and envy). This car is the Car of the Century!

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  Great American Car - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By BaltoMan - May 15 - 8:07 pm

  I looked at all the competitors - BMW 5 series, MB 300s, Lexus 300s, Acura TL and RL, Audi, and Infiniti M35/45. The Cadillac has edgier styling, better or as good as interior than all but Audi (BMW was pitiful). It also has better build and reliability than the European cars, more fun and masculine than Lexus or Acura. Only the Infiniti was close. It has more toys for the money and the option packages made more sense. But the STS is stylish, roomy, confortable and a great drive. Best of all, its made in America.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By caddy4life - May 14 - 11:33 pm

  This car is awesome. it looks amazing driving down the street. I even got a complement from a Mercedes owner. The STS drives great and I love the cruise control that slows down when you get too close to another car. The heated/cooled seats are great for any weather. The navigation screen is big and easy to see even when the sun is out by moving the screen back and forth.

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  GMs Best SUV - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Keith - May 14 - 3:50 pm

  I love my new Escalade! I just bought an 05 , Black with the 20" Cadillac chrome wheels. When you drive this truck you get noticed a lot. I had an 02, it was a Certified vehicle and never had any trouble with it, so after 2 years with that one I wanted a new one. Nothing like the smell of Cadillac leather. Not only is the truck awesome, the dealership is top notch (hard to find these days)!

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  Own American - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By American Built - May 14 - 10:16 am

  This vehicle is fun to drive, rides exceptional well gas milage could be inproved quality is very good,vehicle has room for six audlts comfortably, Driven this vehicle on trips, short drives very satisfacting both for comfort and reliablity.