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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  Get some options - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By susieQ - April 16 - 3:12 pm

  I love my CTS! It is so easy to drive and park. Visibility is good. I have the Luxury Sport package with the 255 HP engine, Bose sound system, and the 17 inch wheels. This is a very practical and comfortable family car and gets excellent gas mileage. My only issues with this car is the door height from the inside (I always have to open the door when I am at the drive-up ATM) the fact that the car can easily be accidentally shifted into neutral from drive if my passenger crosses legs or shifts and bumps the shifter, and that the blower for the climate controls is VERY loud. A loaner CTS I recently drove with fewer options was not as enjoyable. Get upgrades on this car.

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  Good vehicle - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Frank McElveen - April 14 - 11:32 pm

  Good SUV, comparable to my wifes Lexus Rx300. More power, less engine noise, better handling, even more quiet. The additional woodgrain package is a must for appearance...makes it look $1,000 better. Needs the same addition that was placed on the Lexus. A bummper cover in the rear to keep marks off of the top of the bumper. Very good vehicle so far, 2,500 miles.

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  Making them better for 2005 - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By nick - April 13 - 5:52 pm

  I purchased this vehicle two months ago and it has been a great experience. I currently have 14,000 miles on it and it runs great, and rides very smooth. The 2005 model seems to have a smoother transmission and an improved navigation unit, now touch screen. I originally purchased this vehicle because of its performance capabilities and and its all wheel drive for the part of the country I live in. I would recommend this SUV for anyone looking for a high performace smooth luxury SUV that actually looks good!

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  Best car i ever owned - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By joseph arongino - April 12 - 10:45 pm

  You feel safe in this vechile. The ride is a smooth luxury ride. The response is right there, it handles well if you worry about gas mileage you would never buy this car. On long trips we put all the grand kids in the back pop in a video and off you go, this is just a great car

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  Cadillac DTS - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By dennis faust - April 12 - 7:45 pm

  Fun to drive. Handles extremely well. Holds the road great with a lot of comfort. Plenty of power. Feels nice and heavy on the road. Great ride.

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  Look hard before you buy - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Ray - April 12 - 6:53 pm

  Just picked up my cadillac CTS and already in the shop having rear differential replaced. Owned a BMW 5 series previously and kick myself for going back to a GM. The whining out of the rear end started with only 200 miles on the car, so much for QUALITY. I now know why people stick with premium imports.

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  Ultra Luxury: Sedan Deville - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Tomc5 - April 12 - 8:33 am

  My wife and I bought this 05 base Deville with 38 miles immediately after a 5 minute test drive. After getting a few quotes and hard bargaining I paid $11,000 under the $49,655. sticker price. The quiet ride, plush interior and powerful Northstar engine all add up to one happy owner!

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  Change the name to "Gremlin" - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By Kenr - April 11 - 6:34 pm

  Well, first, the transmission in my Cadillac Catera has been fixed three times and still doesnt work right. It starts out sometimes in a high gear and wont shift or do anything. Also, the a/c unit has been replaced twice and now the car just wont start sometimes and the repair shop cant get it to act up to diagnose the problem. Now it occasionally will start but run rough. The worst thing about the Catera is its depreciation. I paid $17,000 for it and now its worth only $6,000, if you dont trade it in.

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  A really Hot Car - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Dennis - April 9 - 10:58 pm

  This is the first Caddy that I have purchased, and am extremely happy with it. This car trully is a perfect blend between sport and luxury. With the 6-speed manual, you can really have some fun, but when you want to just kick back, you can do that do. Stunning looks, many people turning there head at this car. Standard radio with XM is more then enough, very good power out of 7 speakers. For all those people looking at the cheaper Mercedes or BMWs, check out this excellent American vehicle first, you will not be disappointed.

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  stay away !!! - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By zohar - April 9 - 6:56 pm

  Beside computer problems, my 2005 Cadillac CTS has problems with its OEM tires. The CTS wears out tires after less than 15,000 miles. The dealer experts says its normal, sorry not for me.