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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  SRX after two weeks of ownership - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By BMW Car Club Member - January 26 - 4:47 pm

  Current vehicles: BMW 7, Porsche Boxster, Honda Odyssey, Acura TL. I got the SRX to have an AWD, midsize SUV to replace the BMW. Never thought Id get the Caddy. Rented one for 1 week to make sure I liked it. Options are great. Love the NAV, Weather reports, 40 gig hard drive. Nice interior. On the road, it feels very stable, quiet, very German. With curves it feels like a truck. My only wish is for more power. The 265 hp is adequate but with such low torque, the SRX never feels that fast. Took the car in today for a minor problem, they gave me a CTS with 3.6 L engine. Wish they put it in the SRX. With 3 yr lease, maybe theyll upgrade eng in time for my new one.

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  My First Cadilliac! - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By 99Caddi.Girl - January 24 - 4:11 am

  I just love my 99 Catera Sport!!! It hugs the road and takes the turn just fine like a GM car should. The inside is luxury with the heated leather seats and easy to reach controls. I have no complaints so for except for the storage area upfront. Not enough room for cell phones or anyother stuff. And the cupholder really should be inside of a console. Being all said....I just love my new baby!!!!

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  fun to drive - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By red white - January 21 - 12:54 pm

  I really enjoy driving this car as I dont personally feel like I need gobs of horsepower or torque because as I mature (older) I tend to put less emphasis on performance as opposed to comfort, reliability, and upscale features. If you purchase the srx with the standard 3.0 liter engine its important to remember that performance is not what you will get. I was pleased with the way the car handled (we travelled to Florida 1585 miles) and the fact that I wasnt the least bit fatigued after driving for 27 hours with on nights rest. Visibility not as overly compromised as some reviewers have said it was, as I found it easy to adjust to because of the large exterior mirrors

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  Happy to finally buy american - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By HappyCTSOwner - January 20 - 4:08 pm

  i love this car. Have been a japanese fan for over 30 years becuase they built better cars but i can say that this car is built better than my Lexus. No problems to report after 9 months. Im real happy about that:)

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  GREAT CAR - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By GREAT CAR - January 18 - 1:11 pm

  My first American car in 30 years and I finally have a car Im happy to say is as good as my Lexus, BMW and Mercedes Ive had in the past. I hope GM keeps up the good work.

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  A smooth and powerful sports sedan - 2010 Cadillac STS
  By X - January 17 - 12:32 pm

  Being a long time BMW owner, I did not pay any attention to this Cadillac until I test drove all the major mid-luxury cars in the same course in the GM test drive event. BMW naturally emerged as the winner because I was used with it. But what a surprise, the Caddy STS was as good as the Bimmer 5! It handled in good composure was fast and smooth. It felt a bit lighter and easier to drive than the BMW (for daily commute). Id say this car is an athlete in suits. I can zoom pass many muscle cars without making a sound. Its very smooth and quiet. I got 25 mpg in city driving quite remarkable for a car this powerful. The Bose audio system is the best Ive heard in any cars.

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  Cadi ESV is the best - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Ed - January 11 - 9:36 pm

  This is a best SUV, car and truck. I have driven ESV for 5 yrs and love it. Driven in the snow storm and full snow on the road, it feels like car hugs the road. Going up the mountain, CanWhistler, Salt City, Colorado, Lake Tahoe, it has the all the power you need and more. Driving in the city, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, it feels like your driving a car and it is has the luxury ride. This Cadi is very reliable and I have not had any problems of any sort. Pulling a 3-5 ton trailer no problem, you cant even feel your even pulling a trailer. After 67,000 miles on the Cadi, it beats any Toyota, Lexus, Mercedes and Rover. You got to try it to believe it. I have for 5yrs.

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  Solid Value - 2010 Cadillac STS
  By Jeff NYC - January 5 - 1:12 pm

  I originally wanted the performance of the 8 cyl.Northstar but with $3.00 gas, I settled for the 302hp DI 6 cylinder. I generally dont like anything with less than 8 cylinders but this STS motor is remarkable. It accelerates like an 8, sounds good and delivers exceptional gas mileage. I thought the trip computer was broken when I averaged 31mpg on a 300 mile highway trip but it was true. The sport gears work well if you want drive aggressively and so far I have had no maintenance issues.The handling is good for 4100lb luxury car but I must admit that I lean towards more agile cars that have suspension treatmentlike the V-series.STS price (after the deal) is alot less than E350 and 530.

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  Nothing Compares..not even new! - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By greyhip - January 3 - 6:30 pm

  This car was purchased when 2 yrs old. It is the most awesome vehicle in so many ways. When you compare the features it came with in 1995 to the features offered today, it was way ahead of its time. The body style is head turning and it is difficult to tell what year it is from the body style as the cts today looks very similar. Maintenance has been minimal to non existent. I only have 80,000 miles on her but I too, will never own any other make of car other than Cadillac. This vehicle is a blast to drive on the interstate, it is a cruising machine, quiet, smooth and gets up the asphalt when necessary! It has all you could ever want, looks,dependability and power. I would highly recommend!

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  Review 2009 CTS 3.6L DI - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By TJ - January 3 - 2:01 pm

  Nimble handling and tight steering. Quick response. Smooth shifting transmission. Power engine sound. What more can you want? Handling, horsepower, responsive, sounds great, looks great, and still 27 mpg. Hands down -- best buy on luxury sports sedan out there....