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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  So far, very pleased.... - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By easy 1 - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Had the car for three weeks. The CTS is replacing a Taurus SHO V8. Thought the SHO was a great car, but the CTS feels more European in character. Drives more like a BMW than a Caddy. Love the eveness of the vehicle during hard cornering or braking, you can really feel the 50%/50% front to rear weight distribution. I am used to the nose-heavy Taurus which is a great car, but no Cadillac.

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  04 CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By JVH - June 5 - 2:00 am

  Recently purchased the 3.6 CTS and am very impressed with the power and smooth acceleration. The cabin is extremely quiet and roomy when compared to some of the competition. The Bose system and XM make a great combination. We just had a snow and ice storm and for a rear wheel drive vehicle it handled extremely well in the snow mode with traction control on.

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  My CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By StanB - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had it for a 1,000 miles but it sure is a fun car to drive. Comfortable, hands free phone, bun warmers, and plenty of zip.

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  A WOMANS DREAM - 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By keysrealtors - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Your Cadillac is high above other cars. You have a safe picture of who coming at you and your family. Very flashy. I can haul all my stuff. I look at a small car as a death trap. nothing like the Cadillac comfront. You drive it once and your done. never will I drive anything else. I love it. Misty Pace.

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  New AWD CTS is a winner - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Concord Caddy - May 18 - 4:00 pm

  My 2004 CTS lease was up and I was contemplating a SRX for the reliability in the snow. I decided to drive the 2008 CTS-4 and was amazed at the improvements. Both interior and exterior this is a superior car to the 2004-07 versions. Even though I got the standard engine, it still has more muscle than what my 2004 had. I was really thinking SUV, but once I drove the CTS it was a no-brainer. I like everything about it, the cabin looks like a fighter jet cockpit, the controls are easy to navigate, and find. The body is rounder and has a more muscle car look to it versus the boxy earlier versions. Be careful! If you drive it, you may not be able to resist getting it.

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  Best Car Ive Owned - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By 05 6 speed - May 13 - 11:30 am

  Ive owned a 2000 VW New Bettle, and a 1997 Saturn SC2 since graduating college, and my 2005 Cadillac CTS is the best car that Ive ever owned, hands down. Its sharp and agile steering with a powerful engine makes this car a winner. I get lots of stares and appreciative comments on looks.

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  Love this car!!! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By cbrooks - May 6 - 10:00 am

  I love the smooth drive of the CTS. The style is unique and being that it is american made makes me feel good. I will have this car for a long time..

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  2004 SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By georgegellert - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Researched for three months. Looked at MDX, GX 470, XC90. All of them excellent cars. Needed three rows of seats for four children. Two smallest are 2 and 1 year old, third row is plenty and second row slides forward if needed later. The SRX has a very unique and sharp look. I am glad to drive american after 12 years of european (BMW,VW). The quality, the feel, the luxury is impressive.I got exactly what I wanted, I could not be more satisfied, if I had to do it again, I would do the same. Some expert reviews questioned some of the interior materials qualities. I did not find any problems or issues.

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  Enjoy the ride - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By walt - April 15 - 11:56 pm

  Enjoy the car a lot. We traded in a Volvo XC-90 and enjoy an increase of about 5 mpg and (more important to the wife) an increase of about a 200 miles between fill-ups. The Escalade has performed flawlessly and the tight turning radius makes it easy to park. The magnetic ride control easily makes this the best riding vehicle I have ever owned.

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  sg - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By bijon - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Drove, the 5 series, the C & E series and the Lexus 330 and 300. None compared to the overall sport, comfort, and response of the CTS. It may not have the best resale, but that was not a consideration.