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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  Awesome Machine - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Love my CTS - October 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. I had to search for the color combination (Garnet Red w/ Ebony interior) -- and it was worth the wait! I get so many compliments, I love to show people the car -- everyone has the same response "this is a cadillac? -- this is a hot car!"

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  about my stereo - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By lana ghiselli - October 16 - 2:00 am

  i love my car but ive had nothin but radio problems. gmc knew there was a problem with the stereo, its been in for servc. nermorous times. gmac said that they know of the problem and there is nothin they can do for me, its static and i can hardly get a reception. so im stuck with a 40,000 car that i just got. ill never buy another gm car again and thats sad cuz thats all ive ever owned.

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  unfortunately a poor investment - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By firstcaddy - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car with the intent of owning for at least 10yrs, and after less than two, Im worried it might not make it to 5yrs. Problems that have been fixed (thankfully under warranty): anti-freeze leak (bad cooler), fuel delivery problem (bad engine thermostat), no heat (bad vacuum to heater bypass valve), oil leak (bad oil pump), snapped clutch spring (replaced clutch assembly). Problems that the dealer says are "normal" and cant fix: random clicking of CD player, CD player doesnt work 100 percent, clocks not in sync, engine misses at random (not speed or gear dependent), and the clutch now pops/clicks at random while engaging in 1st gear.

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  Luxury and Power - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Kyle Dull - October 15 - 2:00 am

  This car is amazing. It is comfortable, yet powerful. It is fast, yet you feel extremely safe while riding in it. I would truely recommend this car to anyone looking at Full Size Luxury SUVs.

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  veryhappy - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By cadillacbob - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Comfortluxury god dealr support!

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  Great - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By escaladegrl - October 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my new escalade

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  great - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By brad frost - October 13 - 10:00 am

  well it rides great. it is so comforable!! it has been the best truck i have ever owned.

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  very good - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By ward - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Excellent for long trips. Good for out door activities

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  First and Last Caddi owner - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By Nicks mom - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought it used for $20,000 with 14,000 mi.It drove & handled great & had pep.The features were outstanding.But somehow, the constant mechanical problems tend to overshadow everything else. As a new mom, this car is not appropriate. The back seat is small and there is no storage. The cup holders stink and the glove compartment even more so. It starts very rough in cold whether(40s). I am on my 4th bose stereo because it constantly cuts out. The check light is on constantly and no problems can be detected. I am on my 3rd set of expensive tires due to cupping and slow leaks. I now have 73,000 miles and will trade before warranty runs out even w/ neg. equity

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  THE BEST EVER - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By MR HENRI - October 12 - 2:00 am

  JUST GOT MY 2005 XLR AND IT IS THE BEST CAR I HAVE EVER SEEN OR DRIVEN. BRAVO CADILLAC FOR SHOWING THE REST OF THE WORLD THAT YOU ARE STILL NUMBER ONE IN LUXURY AND PERFORMANCE. THIS IS A DREAM CAR WHICH HAS COME TRUE.