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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  Imagine me driving a cadillac! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By nilak simba - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Sold my Benz ML to buy this car- it caught my eye in a print ad, saw one, knew it was "my car", and purchased the first one I could get my hands on. Love the looks, find it comfortable on long trips, and enjoy the power- though it doesnt pass too many gas stations. Also like the lower body after the SUV.

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  My Cad SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Virginia Haliwell - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I like the looks of the SRX. The exterior design makes it easy to see out of. Their is plenty of leg room in both the front and back seats. On the negative side, the consol is not big enough to be useful. As a lady driver, there is no place to put a purse, or other items you may need, such as mail, papers, etc. If you dont have a front seat passenger, you can put it on the seat, but if you have passengers, & put it on the floor, there is always the chance, it will slip under your feet and interfere with the gas peddle.

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  I Love XLR - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Micho - October 1 - 2:00 am

  the best car ever... i will never get board of it... in every way the XLR is perfect... im gonna tell y`all the truth.. i am in love with it and it is my girl friend at the moment... everytime i say XLR my heart goes Boom!! for real :) its amazing... but im getting the XLR-V ) 2006 hahahaha....

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  04 Seville over 05 STS - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By Joegod - September 28 - 2:00 am

  After waiting all year for the 05 STS, I purchased an 04 Seville. This is my third seville. I traded an 01 seville. The 04 seville has more room, front wheel drive, larger trunk a V8 at no extra cost and overall better looks in my opinion. I am sorry to see the seville leave Cadillac.

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  What a Sweet Ride - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By pikappcadillac - September 28 - 2:00 am

  This car is a the best car I have ever owned. The interior is quality and the back seat doesnt have adults kicking at my back. The Northstar has quite a bit of power and the suspension is nice a cushy. The best car for a highway drive. What else do I have to say, Im now a Caddy man forever.

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  escalade esv awd - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By nmbr1 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  one of the BEST cars ive owned so far , this 1 is a keeper for sure and the amount of attention while driving it is GREAT!

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  Love my truck - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Jose Benitez - September 26 - 10:00 am

  So far so good! Love everything about my truck.

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  Escalade - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Coconut Rose - September 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Escalade. Overall I love the vehicle. Fast, powerful, handles well. Comfortable for long drives

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  Escelade - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Zach Bush - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Awesome, the best car Ive ever had. Buy it its great!I love it.

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  Great car for the money - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By caud37 - September 24 - 2:00 am

  The Eldorado is a timelessly stylish looking car with great power and agility. Just 1 mechanical problem in 7.5 years and GM covered 1/2 the cost even after the warranty expired. Northstar engine is strong and reliable, and the power steering is easier than any car youll find. I tested the Eldorado against a Mercedes CLK430, a Volvo C70, a Jaguar XK8, a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, a Ford TBird, and the choice was easy. The Jag is the only 1 that looks better, and it cost over twice as much. None of them had the Northstars quickness. Cadillac quality is back. If you need traction, front wheel drive still rules.