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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  Fun to drive a real head turner - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By DrZ89 - December 27 - 2:00 am

  I was only able to drive this car a few weeks before I had to put it away for the season. However, it was the most fun car to drive. The performance is unbeleivable. The looks are fantastic. I had people stop their cars to watch me drive by. I took it on a 300 mile trip and the time just flew by. I also flew by quite a few cars. I cant recommend this car enough.

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  Lexus to Cadillac - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By BJSMOM - December 27 - 2:00 am

  Nice looking but definitely not quality built. Have had amplifer and rear wiper replaced since purchased in mid August.

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  DIAMONDS AND PEARLS - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By bundy - December 26 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT MY ESCALADE RIGHT OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. TOTALLY LOADED, WHITE DIAMOND EXTERIOR. A JOY TO LOOK AT AND DRIVE. THE RUMBLE OF ITS OVERSIZED V-8 SENDS CHILLS DOWN MY BACK. ALL I ADDED WAS 22" RIMS AND TIRES WHICH INCREASED ITS OVERALL STABILITY. WHAT A CHARM TO DRIVE.

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  catera fun - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By lindalou - December 25 - 2:00 am

  This car holds the road! It is fun to drive and effortless. Miles sail by without exertion with pure fun handling of the road. The bad weather has not been a challenge using common sense. The interior is comfortable and was upgraded in later years - but it is a shame this vehicle was discontinued.

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  Muscle car in an Armani Suit! - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By jlhunter - December 24 - 2:00 am

  When I bought this car it still looked brand new. I love to look at it in the reflection of other cars on the highway. I am now a caddy man for life. The only problem I have is that it burns a lot of gas, but I guess that’s the cost of looking good!

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  Pure American power and luxury - 2000 Cadillac Eldorado
  By MNCadi - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Every day since purchasing new in 2000, I ook forward to driving this car. The appearance turns heads, and it is more fun to drive and ride in than it is to look at. The heated seats are like heaven in the cold winter. Amenities are great, leather soft and incredibly comfortable. The power and grace of this car have spoiled me, nearly any other car will pale in comparison. The ride is so solid yet soft and smooth. After owning for 3 years, I still look at it as if its the first day I parked it in the garage. I cannot say enough good things about this car. Its a shame the El Dorado legacy had to end.

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  Head Turner? You Bet Your Ass it is! - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Quicktrder - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Drove out of dealership at night, hit the very first traffic light and heard car next to me beeping. I rolled down the window and the person in other car asked me what I was driving, I told him the new XLR. His one word response confirmed I made the right choice. His response......"SMOKING!!!"

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  Very Satisfied - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By Caddy Daddy - December 23 - 2:00 am

  This car was my 2nd Cadillac. Very few problems. Motor ran strong from 58k to 133k, when I sold it. My only nagging problem were the front shocks. Replacement was very expensive, so I had my mechanic insert a bypass to the computer in the trunk and install conventional Monroe shocks. Car was great in the snow. I was sorry I sold it.

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  Overall Nice - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Picky one - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable quiet ride. Smooth & quick. Overall a beautiful vehicle. Handles extremely well in inclement weather.

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  Not the Caddy Im used to driving. - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By DonC - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive had Cadillacs for many years and this car does not exude the comfort of previous models. I guess thats my main disappointment. Also, I have a rattle (normal for American built cars) in my dashboard that drives me crazy.