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:

• 

  Not my fathers Caddy - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By Rox - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Reliability is very disappointing. Three batteries in three years. New catalytic, re-program IPC module, A/C module replaced, window mechnanism failed, crank sensor adjusted etc. Significant service required 7 times in past 10 months

• 

  very pleased - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By A. Ferguson - January 13 - 9:06 pm

  Overall, I am very pleased with Cadillac SRX. I have an AWD V6 version with all the extras. I have found the navigation system, which I find priceless,and my kids love the DVD system and the Ultraview roof. I love the handling of this SUV. Its very easy to drive and doesnt seem like Im driving a truck. I have test driven other SUVs that are hard to manuever.

• 

  SRX is great - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By hoover - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Have had no problems and its fun to drive. Easy to handle and many features.

• 

  to many break downs - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By casting223 - January 13 - 2:00 am

  The car was alright for the first 25000 miles. Since then We have had it in the shop 11 times.

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By FJW - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Great car to own and drive.We feel very safe when we are on the road with our car in heavy traffic.I am avg. about 23 mi. per gal. which I feel is great mileage this size car. This is my 2nd Cad. I have owned 18 car in my 55 yrs. of driving and my 2001 cad.is one of the best I have driven,

• 

  THE ULTIMATE CAR - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By BARBARA M. JOHNSON - January 11 - 10:00 am

  This is a truly beautiful vehicle. Great design appeal.I am amazed by the numerous comments that I receive from fellow drivers and walkers-nods of approval, thumbs up and requests for me to describe the cars features. The ride is smooth and it handles well. What a great choice for a 70 year old adventurer. Cadillac has a winner in the CTS.

• 

  Car - 1992 Cadillac Seville
  By hockey5chick - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I love driving this car, it is so much fun, and fast. I like to take it on long trips.

• 

  Head Turner - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By taiya - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Have driven the car about 200 miles since purchased and have received a compliment about every 10 miles driven on my cars looks inside and out. This car handles like a Corvette with the luxury of a Jaguar. Cant wait until summer cruising with the top down on those moonlit nights...

• 

  I Love My CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Detailman - January 10 - 2:00 am

  This has been the Best Car I have ever Driven. The Handeling is great and the power is, ( well, lets just say, IT HAS HORSES). The interior is a little plain, but for the money, ( fully loaded, is under $40k), its great. The cars computer tells when the gas cap is not tightened properly, all the gauges are digital, it tells you hown much oil life, how much trans life left etc. The only thing thats missing is the gauge options that can actually talk to you!!

• 

  Value second to none - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By (949)Motoring - January 9 - 2:00 am

  In a simple word this car is amazing! I have just purchased mine in a black on black bases. Its alot of fun to drive, prior to the Xlr I had the Sc430 Lexus and it was stolen. So I went for this car and iam completly greatful for this car it has the looks, the power, and the preformence. Overall the car is a pure joy to wake up to every morning, I have an 03 Rnage rover as well as I havent driven it since I bought this car.