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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  Rock and Roll, part II - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Glenn RN - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I just took my CTS out for the weekend. It performed just as Id hoped. Fun, fast, and classy. Great handling and speed and decent gas mileage. Lots of interior and trunk space. The On-star system is nice but I have to think about the later costs of maintaining it. Original looks/design. Everyone who wants to complain about the outsourcing of jobs etc. should think of the foreign cars that they drive.

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  One of the Best! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By mnywmn1 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Over the past five years Ive owned five Lexus including the ES300, GS300 and RX300, a Mercedes 240, and an Infinity Q45. (Love to trade cars!) The CTS is by far the most enjoyable car Ive owned in a long time. Its great styling and quick manuevering make it a great car for me. I bought a black CTS with light grey leather interior. The only thing I will change is to add the complete wood trim package to add to the gearshift knob and steering wheel.

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  Sexy-Dumb Blonde of the Car World - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Molly7601 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I have decided that this car is definetly the "dumb blonde of the car world." It is incredily sexy, however, its substance is yet to be determined. I am secretly hoping it will prove me wrong, since I am somewhat blonde myself. Maybe this will be the first time in history a manufactirer has made a sexy car that is reliable...then again, I will not hold my breath. I can not even begin to tell you how many "heads" my black sport model has turned. Having owned a number of German imports, I am definetly impressed with its handling. I really want this baby to prove all the import snobs wrong...come on baby...lets go!

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  one heck of a car - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By william flexser - October 12 - 2:00 am

  alot of sports car feel, but in a sedan. on open road or at a complete stop horse and tourque kick right in without hesitation.

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  one sweet ride - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By SMILEY - October 11 - 2:00 am

  a stunning beauty with performance to match and fuel economy as good as many mid-sized 6 cylinder cars.

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  luxury - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By ShermanDewey - October 11 - 2:00 am

  Its pure luxury and highly recommended

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  good car - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Jack84CH - October 10 - 2:00 am

  traded in a E320 for this car was a bit worried about fit and finish but let me tell you this SRX is much much better in every area than the MB. No problems at all, none the car is just perfect. Had an ice storm the first month we owned it but the AWD handled it without any issues. This is our second Cadillac in 10 years and I think it is the best built auto we have ever owned in the 40 years I have been buying cars. The engine is great the power curve is stronger than the MB ever was the appointments inside are very well done. One thing that could use some attention is the roof rack, without crossbars it really has limited value. Good car, well built...

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  almost a 10 - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By efcoyne - October 10 - 2:00 am

  re interior: cruise control switch poorly place. easy to accidently turn on/off. should be higher on steering wheel.

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  Sport SUV/Station Wagaon - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Bob319 - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle thats fun to drive. Looks like a SUV, really is a sport station wagon and drives like a sport sedan. I have all the options and I had no problems at all. I more I drive it the more I like it.

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  A very good car - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Shmulik - October 9 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performer