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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  Cadillac did a great job with this one! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By mickeycts - December 30 - 2:00 am

  I just boought the CTS and man it is a show stopper as far as looks go. The performance of it keeps up with the BMW 3 series that I also drove. It has the looks and feel of a more expensve car for a great price!

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  Whats Not to Like? - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Love it in Wichita - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Had my CTS a week now after careful study of everything even close to its class, including Beemers, Acura, Lincoln LS, etc. Nothing compared to the unique look, yet still delivered great performance. Doesnt have as much juice as some of the others, but overall a great ride.

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  Best of all my cars. - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Marene Coye - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Great car, great drive andfuel eeconomy.got a lot of compliments about the car.

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  i have a cts - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By kryst - December 30 - 2:00 am

  this car is sooo nice,especially for my first car.

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  real Nice Car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By seeker1026 - December 30 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle tho small, has a big performance. It is FAST. It handles the corners very well. In comparison to the Benz Kromer the Cady beats it hands down. The performance is awsume. Its not a very roomy Car. But it is very sporty and handles like a VET. I use to have an Escalade, and this car out performs it. So giving up the room the Escalade had, I traded in for Power and Speed. Believe me it is an EYE CATCHER.... Heads turn.

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  Incomparable Value - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Ed Fruscello - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Cant beat the ride, handling, performance and ROOM for the price.

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  This car rocks - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By imajm - December 29 - 2:00 am

  The car moves like a rocket and handles like it is on wheels. I have not been in a Vette lately, but I am sure the XLR is just as as quick and smooth as a Vette convertable. GM scored with this car!

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  Big boy and new baby - 1991 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By majara - December 27 - 2:00 am

  We have 3 kids and are expecting a 4th. I previously drove a 97 Corolla which was a great little car, but if all five of us wanted to go for a ride it could not happened. We are having a new baby and I dropoff and pick up the kids, so with Big boy we can all take a ride. The car floats instead of rolls on the road, acceloration from a stand still is great, it response well to braking, too. With all the cool gadgets, ie rear light vanity mirrors,arm rest and heat vents, powered from seats and that good ole american factory stereo I am happy!

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  Actually a very good vehicle! - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By nocovberage - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle when it came off a friends lease. I was wise to purchase the vehicle as certified to extend the warranty as the battery has failed twice both covred by warranty, two electrical problems and a cooling problem.

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  xlr - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Baby Jane - December 27 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. You feel like a million bucks when you drive it.