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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  GM Gets it right - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Steve - November 9 - 5:23 am

  Went to buy an STS but settled on the CTS instead. Love the sunroof with sunshade. The performance, economy, and handling are unbelievable in this car. Transmission very smooth. Got 26 miles to the gallon on first tank. Form and fit and interior design are way ahead of the competition. Thanks GM. Traded a 2005 SRX.

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  A GREAT CAR OUT STANDING IN EVERYWAY - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By sissie - November 7 - 4:02 pm

  IT HAS TURNED MANY HEADS. SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE CONSIDERING PURCHASING CARS. ITS FUN TO DRIVE, IS RESPONSIVE TO GAS PEDAL, STEERING AND BREAKING. CONVERTING THE HARDTOP IS QUICK, AND DRIVE AS A CONVERTIBLE IS A JOY. QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS EXCELLENT. THE TECHNOLOGY IS AHEAD OF ITS TIME.

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  Great fun - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By henri irrthum - November 7 - 2:05 pm

  This SUV is great fun to drive.It is very responsive,so that even my wife can easily drive it (and she was afraid at first) Also the quality of design and workmanship is evident everywhere,even long distances are not tiring! You just feel that you have a lot of space,a lot of air to breathe and the acoustics are outstanding... OnStar and voice activated phone systems are of great help and super to use... I have driven BMWs and Lincolns ...and its just not the same...This Cadillac is in a class of its own!

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  The 2003 CTS is a fun ride. - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By sue from virginia - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had this car about two months and so far is it a fun car to drive. It handles curves and mountain roads with ease. The ride is so smooth that I can go over the speed limit if not careful. The Bose in dash 6 CD changer is wonderful. I put in some light jazz CDs and my 45 minute commute goes by very quickly. The angles on the design make it fresh to look at.

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  Not Up To World Standards - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Bill Willfield - November 4 - 4:34 pm

  During my first 30,000 miles with my 2001 Cadillac Seville SLS it has been in the shop way too many times. The instrument panel computer failed 3 times, both front seat heaters failed, the left rear door just would not open, the engine stopped (no steering - scared my wife who was driving) ad nauseum. I have owned six Cadillacs. This is absolutely the worst.

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  BMW who? - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Sir Drive Alot - November 3 - 10:00 am

  This is a fantastic ride. Great power, interior sound, and build quality. It accelerates like a rocket. the Bose sound system is the best. The nav system is easy to use, well alot easier than BMWs I-drive. I did not buy the active suspension because I could not tell the difference with my driving. I tried the V-6 but no way, not enough uumf.

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  ONE of the Best Ive Owned - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Davidscadillac - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Have had car going on 4yrs. It is one of the best cars I have owned. Comfortable, great accessories, pretty good hwy mileage. Overall just a great car.

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  very good car, worth every penny - 1995 Cadillac Eldorado
  By nicvazquez - November 1 - 2:00 am

  just turned over 97K, and have done minimal repairs, matinece will keep this engine running 300K!

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  My 98 ETC - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Whitey0012 - October 31 - 1:00 am

  Virtually maintenance-free with the exception of oil changes and tire balance/rotations. Just replaced water pump and left side power window switch 10/28/2004. Future water pump replacements at no costs when using AC/Delco part. The only downside of this model is the lack of rear passenger seating space and blind side visibility on rear passenger side. Performance is absolutely super!! Horsepower (300) and maneuverability are excellent. The car compares favorably with a BMW 745 Turbo I once owned. This would have made a tremendous two-seater sports car. I wouldnt trade this auto for anything else.

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By matttherat - October 27 - 2:00 am

  I am having soo much fun with our caddy, it is the 3.6l 6cyl and it gets up and goes. The car seems real well built, our kids love it we bought the extra 3rd row.