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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  Great car - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By WENCES LOPEZ - March 6 - 6:08 pm

  This car has everything that most of people look in a car. (style, name, great sound system,and performance.)

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  Elegant But Not Afraid To Work! - 2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By grutzius - March 6 - 10:10 am

  I travel long distances, and often have to haul heavy loads. My EXT can work hard, and feel as though Im carrying nothing! Clean her up and she is ready for valet parking at Neimans, or the best of five star restuarants. I just love my EXT.

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  Typical Big American Car - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By JWW - March 5 - 10:04 pm

  I rented a Cadillac DeVille for a weekend trip to Montreal from Ottawa. What a horrible riding car. Our 2002 Altima is far more comfortable and way easier/more responsive to drive. This car cant even come close to competing with the quality of high-end autos from Europe (Mercedes-Benz, et al) or Japan (Lexus, et al).

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  Former Import Loyalist - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By PMS - March 5 - 8:37 am

  I must say that I have been a loyal import consumer until I looked at the Cadillac STS. After extensive research and test driving, I fell in love with my new STS. The interior, drive, performance and comfort could not be duplicated for the price. It has awesome technology. So far its been a pleasure to own.

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  michael777s - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By michael777 - March 4 - 4:16 pm

  I love my 2005 Cadillac CTS. I wish that I had purchased the STS, or Deville, though. The CTS is too small inside for what im used to. Having said that, I enjoy driving my CTS every day 60 miles each way to work. I never have any problems getting around traffic with my CTS.

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  CAR TO HAVE - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By KARL DIEHL - March 3 - 11:56 pm

  GREAT CAR TO DRIVE

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  I Love My CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Ryan Nelson - March 2 - 10:00 am

  The new CTS is one of the best GM products EVER! (XLR is the other). The car is so refined and comfortable. The new 3.2 liter V6 is so quiet that when i turn the car on, i cant even hear it. I looked at the BMW 330i and the Audi A4 3.0 CVT and they could not compare. If you do get the CTS get the sport Luxury Package, the only way to go.

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  2014 SRX used - 2014 Cadillac SRX
  By Dan - February 26 - 9:40 pm

  Traded in 2010 Equinox for this vehicle so far only 1.5 miles per gal. different from a 4 cylinder to this 6 cylinder AWD and the ride is much bette. I am happy with this vehicle so far and hope that doesnt change

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  A Cadillac for young people - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By AJ Viper - February 26 - 12:40 am

  My Cadillac CTS V6 with navigation has an MSRP of around $44,000. loaded. Its ride is smooth, inviting, and responsive. The engine has a nice American roar to it when you accelerate through a yellow light. Its exterior leaves nothing behind except for the people staring at it, of course. Its interior with heated lumbar seats is accomidating, welcoming, and deserves your cruisin time. The Bose sound sytem is excellent. You cant drive this car without the music blaring. The navigation system helps if you stink with maps, or are just lazy like me!. I replaced the wheels and rims for 20". I guess automakers haventcaught up yet in the tire department. My new tires were an extra $5,000 out of my pocket. I have not had any problems with the vehicle yet and I hope this will continue.

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  2005 Cadillac CTS - Great Car - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By cts cadillac 2005 - February 25 - 1:01 am

  I love my Cadillac CTS. I had a BMW X5, but I like the CTS even better. My father had one and I always thoght Cadillacs were an old mans car untill I test drove the CTS and I really loved it. The look is great and it is very comfortable. Go test drive one yourself. Believe me you will buy it.