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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  Luxury and fun car - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By csquare - April 24 - 3:31 am

  Well designed and makes driving a pleasure. The engineers really gave a lot of thought to this design. It is ergonomically correct!

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  Great Car! - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By MacDaddyCaddie - April 23 - 2:03 pm

  I have only owned sports cars, 95 Camaro Z28, 92 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4, 04 MINI Cooper S. So for me to change to a luxury vehicle was a bit of a step. But this vehicle surprised me with its acceleration. I was hooked after the first drive. Comfort is great! It is hard to find a car that performs decently, and is comfortable. It doesnt handle very well, but I didnt buy it for that. I cant see myself with out a Caddilac & MINI. One for road trips, the other for beatin up the streets!

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  My 05 Escalade - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Zach - April 23 - 12:18 pm

  This is my 2nd Escalade . I owned an 02 ( it was a GM Certified vehicle) , and never had a problem with it , so I decided before GM changes the model I would get me a new one ( 2005 ) . Nothing like the smell of Cadillac Leather! The interior is nice, like the subtle changes, miss some they deleted on the newer models . But overall this is truly a Cadillac for car or truck nuts ( like me ) . And just knowing that there are 345 horses under the hood makes you feel like you can own the road if you feel like it !

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  On the road again - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Mrs. R M Wheeler - April 22 - 6:13 am

  We traded 2002 DeVille in after test driving our STS 2005 Northstar V8. We test drove a Jaguar and a Mercedes a few months back. We werent in the market to really purchase a new car, but after driving the STS, we were sold. Handles like a dream, drives true and is really fun to drive. I am so lucky my husband who has is a car buff from way back, said he wouldnt consider the V6. When the salesman rode with us in the V8, he said it did have a little more pep than the V6! Beautifully done car, inside and out. Cadillac has a winner and so do we.

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  My SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By njfla - April 21 - 5:56 pm

  A great vehicle to drive, holds the road well, comfortable, plenty of room for 5 adults, a dog, gifts, 2 suitcases and a ham to travel 300 miles on Christmas. Mileage 23 MPG highway, 16 and a half around town. Not bad!

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  New Cadillac XLR 2005 - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By John L Martin - April 21 - 2:16 pm

  The new 2005 Cadillac XLR competes easily with the Mercedes-Benz SL500 and has in my examination surppassed the it for ease of driver use. Cadillacs XLR technology integration is the best in its class. The edge in overall performance goes to the XLR. The interior luxury is on par with the SL500 with the XLRs looking more modern. Its general styling best in its class. Its comtemporary edge makes heads turn. Everyday driving is where the XLR excels with all features standard except for XM digital radio. In summary, the Cadillac XLR is sitting at the first position in luxury sports roadsters when you consider the price.

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  SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Ray Prokorym - April 21 - 1:21 pm

  Great all around vehicle. Super performance in the wet conditions of the Pacific NW. All wheel drive is able to effectively utilize the 320 HP. Handles and stops excellent. Great utility and use of space, excellent visibility out for rear seat passengers including third row kids seat. Makes the vehicle seem more roomy.

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  Fun Time - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Eddie Mac - April 20 - 7:05 pm

  Have used as everyday car. Its fun, travels well and has had no problems at all. Wish I had bough this car sooner. Handles well, looks great and is a blast to drive. Plenty of trunk space for single guy.

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  Love It ! - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By Frank - April 18 - 7:26 am

  I traded in a 2007 Tahoe for the Escalade and so far I am very impressed with the performance. You step on the gas and the performance is much better than I was expecting from a hybrid. I am getting 20.7 MPG combined City/Highway driving with mildly conservative driving habits.The fit and finish is what you would expect from Cadillac and is fun to drive.

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  Catera is simply an Opel Omega MV6. - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By euro-dan - April 17 - 10:10 pm

  The Cadillac Catera is an export version of the Opel Omega MV6. All U.S. Cateras were built in Germany in Russelsheim near Frankfurt/Main. Opel, the German auto manufacturer is owned by GM. Its shame that Opels arent sold here, in the U.S. since GM owns the company. Well, at least I have the chance to drive my OPEL OMEGA (Catera).