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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  Best of its Class - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Robin Fino - February 27 - 4:29 pm

  This is my third Caddy! I wanted to try something else this time around, so I test drove, Mercedes, Volvos, SUVs, Chryslers, several other brands only to go back to the Caddy! This car is so sleek and classy. Im younger and I think after owning several caddilacs, its very hard to go to another car. Especially when I test drive them and cant beleive for the same money, what the caddy has over them. Im stuck for life!!!

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  The Standard Of the World - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Grant STS - February 25 - 3:30 pm

  Just took delivery of a beautiful Blue Chip STS 4 and I can only say that it is the most awesome car on the market. Handling is light and nimble yet the ride is very solid. Magna ride control really eats up the NYC potholes. Fit and finish are world class and the interior will make even the strongest critics smile. Outstanding power, cool features and a kick a@# Bose sound system.

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  CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By JasonPeck - February 21 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding. Just simply outstanding. Best car I have ever had and the way people stare it must be better than anything they have ever had too.

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  The EXT - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By shinjitsu - February 18 - 10:23 am

  This Truck has been nothing but good to me. I have a little over 100k now and have had to replace rear air shock/struts, under warranty the rotors and two brake calipers. This thing runs like a champ with that 6 liter under the hood! Even with the newer body styles running around I still get the occasional thumbs up from folks. Keep your foot out of it and MPGs are alright.

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  A good fit - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Ike73 - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I had researched this vehicle for quite sometime. It proved me wrong once behind the wheel. At first I didnt quite like the exterior look for the price but onced behind the wheel that kind of went out the window. The ride over ruff terrain could be alittle smoother but it may be better with the magnetic ride control. As far as the performance and being a Cadillac you just cant beat it.

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  EXT BEAST - TOTALLY UNIQUE - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By briefboy - February 16 - 11:36 am

  Its a beast.. but totally fun and decadent. Nothing better to impress. Stereo is inceiable, seats are better than my living room. Bed cover leaked on delivery but was quickly fixed by dealer. I LOVE THE EXT BEAST!!!

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  Sporty Look and a great ride - 2016 Cadillac ATS
  By James Bruno - February 6 - 7:17 am

  Still fun to drive. No service required after 8 months

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  CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By leblion76 - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic handling, performance, and styling. A new gem from Cadillac which bodes well for the future.

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  IM IMPRESSED - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By GREYFOX - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE STYLING, PERFORMANCE, AND ALL AROUND NICE VEHICLE THAT THIS IS. HAVING BEEN A PAST CADILLACE OWNER, THIS ONE IMPRFESSED ME MORE THAN THE OTHERS. IT REPRESENTS A HUGE LEAP FORWARD FOR AMERICAN AUTOO MAKERS.

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  Almost As Much Fun - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By MrVette - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had Cadillacs for the last 15 years...Eldorados, Savilles, DeVilles, I have owned them all, but this is the best. I also own a C5 Vette and this is almost as much fun to drive. For a sedan it does everything well. The Germans better watch out. This little Caddy is hot on there tracks