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:

• 

  Last of the Great American Cars - 1991 Cadillac Brougham
  By David Rosa - July 16 - 2:00 am

  I like it. Wire wheels really dont live long lives!

• 

  Enjoyed this car - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By stur2dog - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Very good car, purchased new.just sold it at 80,000 mile.Car has classy appeal, secure ride. did have to replace alternator at 70,000 miles. On 3 occassions after driving in summer with A/C going , car unexpectly cut of while slowing down vehicle . First occurance in 98, and twice this year. Service could never duplicate problem. In spite of this I Personally like this car better than the recently purchased 2004 Model.

• 

  catch22 - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By joe vento - July 15 - 2:00 am

  i have tried the rest this is the best what else is there to say

• 

  2004 CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By MLR27 - July 15 - 2:00 am

  I went from an Oldsmobile Bravada (SUV) to the CTS--Ive put 11,000+ miles on it in 4 months & thus far all is well. Once I got used to the rear-wheel drive, I found the CTS has terrific handling and cornering capability. It has killer acceleration & a smooth ride--but theres also the unnerving factor of finding yourself driving far faster than you intended. My CTS gets around 25-27 mpg on the highway, driving 80-85mph on average (!) The only problem encountered so far is having a bent rim (probably from a *&^ MI pothole.) Overall, the quality of this car is excellent. Its not illegal or "wrong" to have this much fun driving is it? :

• 

  Great used luxury ride - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By James Bartlett - July 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought my SLS at 33,000 miles, now at 91,000 miles -- very reliable, but repairs can be expensive -- the extended warranty saved me, but has now expired. I could buy another car, but this one still looks new and drives great. Dreading future repairs.

• 

  No Lumbar? - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Jim Alabach - July 14 - 2:00 am

  ery happy with car overall, although we have one major complaint being that the driver & passnger seats do not have lumbar adjustments which are quite important to us due to back problems. Cant understand why a car costing $58,000+ cant include this. Also why are running boards not available. We short people have a hard time stepping up to get in. Can we get answer from Cadillac regards this? Would slso like to see the second seat with warming gridfor passengers.

• 

  the best - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By greg holloway - July 14 - 2:00 am

  it is incomparable as to style and handling. i will keep it until it falls apart or i die, whichever comes first

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By HTMonroe - July 14 - 2:00 am

  My previous car was a 03 SL500, this car blows the M-B away!

• 

  I love my SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Aud - July 13 - 2:00 am

  I have waited a long time for Cadillac to come out with a vehicle for "me" and they have made me one happy person. I get in and the car just moves with such ease.

• 

  The 2003 CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By jooh kool - July 13 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this for my wife & I have been trying to get it from her ever since. The leg room for passengers is very tight and for a luxury car there is to much noise. (wind & engine) I have made two long rode trips an enjoyed each one, handles very well,love the navigation system. Most of all,the "LOOK" of the CTS is outstanding.