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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  style, ride, and plenty of room - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By dandan - July 23 - 2:00 am

  The Cadillac Escalade never fails to impress me. Its ability to satisfy any number of demanding tasks to me makes it those most versitle vehicle made. Of course it uses a lot of fuel, but that cannot be avoided as it exceptional power allows total freedom to do anything. The ride is astonishly smooth and the control is amazing for such a large vehicle. Top it all off with style, what esle could anyone want? Nice job Cadillac!

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  Dont trade for a Cadillac with over 50000 miles - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Christopeher crouch - July 23 - 12:01 am

  Junk after 50000 miles

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  i love this car - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By sblack - July 22 - 2:00 am

  this is my favourite vehicle ive ever had it drives so smoothly i commute 50 mile a day and love every minute

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  Cadillacs Home Run - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By elirodz - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Caillac has hit a HR with the SRX. The ride is the best of all the luxury SUVs in the market. The 6 cyl. is all you need for outstanding handling and performance. The vehicle is definitely a head turner and several people have complimented me and my wife on its looks. Only complaint by my wife has been the heavy rear hatch for her. Caddy should consider electrically power assisted like the old trunks. Drive one before you buy any other SUV you will be impressed with this vehicle.

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  1996 eldorado - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By 96eldo - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Bought it used and have enjoyed every mile. Strong and comfortable. Solid car.

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  Best Caddy Ever, Benz & BMW watch your back - 2016 Cadillac CT6
  By John - July 19 - 3:35 pm

  Just purchased my CT6, so Ive only had it about two weeks, however already put 2500 miles on it. The best car Ive EVER owned. Ive had an S-Class, two 7-Series and a couple cadillacs in the past and this is by far the best so far. I love it

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  love it - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By tenndbh1 - July 19 - 2:00 am

  great, amazing, fast, get the ladies, smooth on bumpy rodes...handles well in rain, yeah~!

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  Very Satisfied - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By lah - July 19 - 2:00 am

  A luxury car with a sports car feel makes the CTS fun as well as comfortable to drive. The cutting edge body style makes it stand out in a crowd. Everywhere I go I receive a compliment such as "I love your car" or "sharp car".

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  more bang for your buck - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Dennis - July 18 - 10:27 pm

  We bought this car when it was two years old, with 7,358 miles on it; paid 40% of what it sold for new. Its been an excellent highway cruiser ... still gets compliments on its appearance, comfortable ride and quietness.. The low profile tires make for zippy cornering, but our previous Cadillacs had taller tires that gave an even better ride ... too bad hot-dogging sells vehicles these days ... all the TV ads show cars being driven as if they are toys, expensive macho playthings instead of transportation.

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  great tour car - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By real estate guy - July 17 - 2:00 am

  needed a vehicle to use for touring customers around town as well as for the building supplies to take to sites.Great auto, nice lines and very sharp..nice handling easy in and out for all. and best of all it qualifies for the tax break