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 truck, Great value - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By Corey - January 11 - 3:41 pm

  I just love my 2000 Cadillac Escalade. It has great style, comfort and is very functional.

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  Great during warranty period - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Dave - January 11 - 2:59 pm

  My 1998 Cadillac DeVille has a powerful motor and a quiet, comfortable ride. It provided great performance and reliabillity during the 3yr/36,000 mile warranty period. Mechanically it seems to fall on its face after that. This vehicle received fantastic new car ratings, but seems to lose its resale value rapidly, now we know why. If you want long term reliabillity, buy a Honda.

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  Caddys Back ! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By cjcoolcar - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Cool new caddy is perfect size. Handles and rides like the best out there. Former X5 owner (4.4), the SRX beats it in every category and the huge sun roof is really cool. Voice GPS is better than my 2003 SL55. Magnetic ride works better than the Benz.

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  Cadillac Escalade - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By EscaladeGrl - January 6 - 2:00 am

  The Escalade is a first-class car, but is also one of the most comfortable and user-friendly cars I have owned. In comparison, the seats are more like a lazy boy recliner than that of a car seat. The Escalade also offers separate radio and air conditioning controls for the rear of the car. (Which is great if you have kids!) The rear seats also recline!

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  At first we were skeptical - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Dean - January 6 - 12:25 am

  Having driven Japanese suvs for the last 6 years -- Acura, Lexus, etc. -- we were apprehensive about joining the big GMC SUV club. We are very happy thus far. So far we have put on around 500 miles. The truck drives like a car -- very little, if any, road noise, very easy to handle, great horse power and I have to admit, its easy to see why the "Cadillac" thing is for real. Im thinking my next car is going to be their new convertible. Very hot!

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  Outstanding fun Ride - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Peter Barnett - January 5 - 9:06 pm

  Outstanding fun ride that has a high performance ride and feel. Very sporty and fast.

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  Worth the price - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Charlie - January 5 - 8:36 pm

  Worth the money...could get better gas milage but the V8 power is worth it at the gas pump.

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  Deville Highluxury Sedan - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Jeffrey M. - January 5 - 7:21 pm

  Wow, what a car!!! This is my 4th Cadillac and they keep getting better and better. I will never own anything but a Cadillac.

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  Best I Have Owned - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By TGPitney - January 5 - 2:07 pm

  Both kids and blueheads turn when it goes by. After driving a BMW and a Mercedes its nice to be comfortable and still enjoy the wind.

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  Dont Waste Your Money - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Nicholas - January 4 - 6:30 pm

  The Cadillac Catera may be one of the worst cars ever made! Although it has a smooth drive and a sleek sexy body, the repairs on this car will drive you to the poor house. Please, dont make the mistake I did by pumping cash into this poorly made car. Go get a dependle Honda, Acura, or Toyota.