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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  Wife and I fight to drive!!! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By DJ Mac - November 15 - 7:55 pm

  The dealer experience was exceptional! It is a perfect fit for us, most 2 row vehicels to small, full size SUV to big and low mpg.

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  True Blue EXT - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By M4pet - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I really like my new EXT. It stands out being bright blue (Out of the Blue) and I love the performance. I have been given compliments every day I have driven it. But the best part is how great I feel because of all the great standard features on the vehicle including StabiliTrack, AWD, heated seats & mirrors, soft leather everywhere, excellent Bose stereo 6 disc CD, adjustable pedals, ON STAR, voice activated phone, on and on. This vehicle is utility, luxury, sportiness, ruggedness, and attention-getting all rolled into one and a blast to drive. It handles better than most sports cars Ive had.

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  Standard Of the SUVS - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Jon Jefferson - November 13 - 6:32 pm

  Hands Down The Best Sport ute out there. Unbeatable power . I have driven many many miles through deep snow and the awd system has performed perfectly always get me where I need to go .The interior is a masterpiece. One worthy of kings and Queens .

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  I HATE THIS CAR! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By I HATE THIS CAR! - November 13 - 5:56 pm

  I purchased this car in Oct. 2003. In a year, this car has been in the shop 7 times. It first started out as "little" non-mechanical problems. The remote keyless entry quit working. Stereo has been replaced twice. Car was stuck in park (related to a problem with the brakelights, go figure!) Back carpet soaked from air conditioning drainage. Now car having problems starting. Dealer had for a week and couldnt figure out what the problem was. Said we needed to wait for it to become "more broke". Now besides the starting problem, car dies at traffic lights. Totally unreliable!! Have been stranded 5 times in the last week! Has depreciated $10,000 value in 1 year. Ridiculous!

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  Dream come true - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Jimmy Chae - November 12 - 12:31 am

  I have always dreamed of owning a Cadillac. With a family of five,this vehicle tailors to all, conveniently and with room to spare. A pleasure to drive to the market or long distance. First drive a Tahoe. Then drive the Escalade. You will notice the difference. You get what you pay for,defenitely. You will also get the attention of your friends, family and neighbors. It is my trophy.

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  Great car!!! But its a GM - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By JCEMMA - November 11 - 7:44 pm

  Car/SUV is a beautiful vehicle. Handles well, for the normal driver, not a test driver. Very roomy in the back, I fit a 250 pound person in the second row comfortably. About the only concern is it seems shifty, as if it catches somewhere in the transmission when pushing the gas pedal from a complete stop or it seems to switch gears at low speeds fairly rough. Will take it in though, has two recall, ABS and some front hooks, but otherwise, this SUV that seems more like a car is beautiful

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  My Second Cadillac - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By CMS777 - November 11 - 4:42 pm

  Traded a 1999 Catera for my 2003 SLS. Enjoy it very much. Nice looking, drives like a dream. Not to firm yet not a yacht like a Deville. The interior is very nice. Driver control is excellent. I have a slight shake at highway speeds but will have the dealer check on first service. Considered CTS, glad I went with SLS. Used Cadillacs are in my opinion a very good value.

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  This is my 3rd Escalde - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Tuck - November 11 - 11:47 am

  This is my 3rd Esclade and I love it. It is a very solid riding and handling vehicle. It has plenty of power and great passing speed. They did take a few things out of the 2005 like the dual compartment console and also the lock on it. I do wish the second row of seats would lay flat to give me more room in the back for long cargo. Over all its a great vehicle and I will buy anther one.

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  XLR is Cool - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Little Birdie - November 9 - 4:18 pm

  This is a head-turning, stylish car that is incredibly fun to drive.

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  Sports Car - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By roscoe - November 9 - 12:24 pm

  I originally wanted a convertible. But after several boring test drives I decided I wanted something sportier. A friend who used to own a car dealership told me to look at the SRX. I had not heard of this vehicle at that time. The first test drive was a base vehicle with no options. On the second test drive I saw the large sunroof and knew this car was for me. The Stabilitrak is truly amazing on corners or in emergency manuevers. Other pluses include the DVD player and OnStar which I use all the time. The express up and down on the windows has spoiled me. Mileage has averaged 21mpg.