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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  03 CTS vs. 02 530 - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By newcaddycts - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I compared 6 cars in & around the same price range. The 2 that stood out were the 530 and the CTS. Both are close in size, options & performance. Both share some of the same parts (transmission & seats) & good build quality. The largest difference between the 2 cars, besides styling, is the price. The BMW is $11,000 more than the CTS with comparable options, & in my opinion almost identical in handling. This makes the price difference too hard to overcome for BMW. If the CTS is not one of top "editors choices" for 2003 then the fix is in. Read both reviews & drive both. You might find the short comings listed for the CTS a bit petty afterwards.

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  My Baby - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By JMurphy - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Always wanted an Eldorado and got mine new in 2002. Its a beautiful machine and everywhere I go people stop and look. Its fun to drive, responsive, smooth, and quick. I have the opportunity to drive others in its class and theres no comparison.

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  Great Luxury Sedan - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By Happy "Camper" - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Just the right size, rides as smooth as the DeVille, but doesnt look like a boat (smaller trunk is a negative). Great engine response--if yours doesnt MOVE OUT, try blowing out the carbon once/week. Pleasure to drive AND ride in, no squeeks/rattles @ 14K, small oil useage--1 qt/4K miles, very tolerable. Prefer FWD in Northern snowbelt, had to buy one of last SLSs with FWD.

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  This car beats the Bimmer - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By FreddieR - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I have driven all of the CTS competitors and Ill tell you it beats them all. Its bold styling and awesome handling is unheard of in an American made sports sedan.

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  Praise Worthy and Practical - 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By EdNyquist - July 5 - 6:10 am

  Excellent sport truck performance plus the features of a luxury 4 door, though not usually a fan of the traditional American-take on large luxury vehicles; All Wheel Drive that is not available in the 2-wheel drive only Lincoln Blackwood was a big plus. Competitive pricing when you compare it to the Lincoln Blackwood or even the Ford Harley SuperCrew which dont offer the same high level of standard luxury equipment nor the increased true truck versatility like that offered by the EXT.

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  First impressions - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By billyvette - July 5 - 2:00 am

  What a fun car to drive. Although there are many on the highway, which I never noticed before, the driving experience of my deville makes it well worth the purchase.

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  2004 CADILLAC CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By HENRY SCHULTZ - July 4 - 2:00 am

  THE 2004 CADILLAC CTS IS A VERY GOOD CAR IT RUNS REAL GOOD IT ALSO HAS STYLE

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  Cts great car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Regal - July 3 - 2:00 am

  I love the Cts, the best car I have ever owned,,only regreat I didnt get the gps system. wont ever go back to the park Ave,

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  SRX needs help - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By DTE - July 2 - 2:00 am

  After one week and 1,400 miles, the main computer failed and when I called on-star,it took them two hours to find out the tech on-call didnt have his beeper. They had to page another tech and he responded. The dealership didnt have the part on hand and I had to wait 3 days for a repair although they did provide a loaner. Two weeks later the computer started to reset data on my radio, as well as the onboard computer and they dont know why. Im certainly not a repeat buyer.

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  Excellent car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By thomasrayw - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 2003 White Diamond CTS Luxury Sport w/ NAV for one year and love it. Power is great at 225hp, but the 2004 has 30hp more. If you need more that that, go for the CTS-V w/ 400hp (Vette LS6 V8). Drove one for 24 hrs last week and its a rocket! Great styling and comfort. Theres no other car in its class that can match it.