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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  an under rated car - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By sgm - October 28 - 2:00 am

  one of the better German built cars that I have driven. Compares favorably with Audi. Have had two. Handling and steering are the best qualities. It is true that the motor could have used a few more ponies, but who cares @ 220kph+ with great control. If you are going to buy one, make sure it is under 7 yrs. or 160,000 km. or make sure that the cam tensioner pulleys, timing belt and water pump have been changed under the GM recall. Otherwise, if they fail, at power, the engine is worth far more than the car to replace.

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  Love this Caddy! - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Pastor D - October 26 - 2:53 pm

  The CTS is my fifth car and I am proud to say I am once again a Caddy owner. This car is beautiful, priced just right, and exciting to drive! While searching for the perfect new car, I drove the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and was utterly dissappointed! I also test drove the Acura TSX and had similar sentiments. Nothing impressed me the way the CTS did. I highly recommend this car to all!

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  Best in class - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By josch - October 26 - 1:00 am

  Overall car performance, quality, and value rates excellent. Rear-seat leg room is a definite plus, making long trips with four passengers very comfortable. This is a great touring car. Repair and maintenance cost is fairly high, but frequency of repairs is low due to high reliability. If you are considering a fully equipped lower- end car, note that by the time you add all the options this car has standard onto a lower-end car, the price will be the same and you will not have a Cadillac.

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  My First Caddy - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By bgordes - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Plenty of power lots of options for the price almost equal to Euro details in more costly autos with similar options.

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  Incredible - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By sileagle - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Compared to my 1999 Escalade this vehicle has been incredible. It would be hard to envision how GM could improve on this SUV.

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  Also own BMW 325 and a Mercedes E-Class - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By B Moore - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned a lot of German iron over the years - seven BMWs, a Porsche, three M-Bs, five VWs, and two Audis, Even an NSU Ro80, for those of you that know what that is! And, as noted, we own a new 3-Series and an E-Class right now. This car can stand proud with any of those. Is it as good as a 2004 BMW 330i? No. But its oh-so-close, and the price differential is substantial (in the Cadillacs favor) when equipped the same way - loaded with automatic transmission. And, I like the looks of the CTS better.

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  A reason, why its the Cadillac of "CADILLAC"! - 2016 Cadillac SRX
  By Joanne Grossetto - October 23 - 4:15 am

  Superb Comfort, Handling, Great Crossover. The technology is Superb! The Driver Assist Package, UNBELIEVABLE! Well worth the Money for all of the safety & other equipment. As compared to other Manufacturers, Hands down, this Cadillac is the better deal. Very Satisfied with the purchase. After driving a Cadillac, you will NOT want to EVER drive anything else.

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  BEAUTIFUL - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By ROLEINDACADDY - October 23 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS THE NICEST CONVERTIBLE OUT ON THE STREETS RITE NOW. THE MERCEDES IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THIS BEAUTY. ITS ABOUT TIME CADILLAC CAME BACK THE THE DROP TOP THIS IS THE MOST GORGEOUS CAR IVE SEEN SINCE THE 1991 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD BROUGHAM

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  Still the Best after 100 years - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By raymond rizzo - October 23 - 2:00 am

  The ride quality of the Deville cannot be matched by any European maker. Lexus is in the ball park, but cannot give the overall comfort. Lexus still cannot build a comfortable back seat. Quality and service back up this world benchmark vehicle. How do they keep the price so reasonable? P.S. On a recent trip from Pittsburg to Sarasota my Deville got 30 mpg! I am thru with harsh riding, overpriced nameplates from Europe.

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  Big fun car. - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By cav - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive for a big car. Bose stereo is incredible. Surprisingly good gas mileage. Very comfortable.