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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  Absolutely Delighted - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Steve Tait - November 7 - 9:58 am

  After a long wait for delivery, I am absolutely delighted with this vehicle. The interior is fantastic and the exterior design grabs much attention. Prior vehicle was 2006 SRX and the 2010 is a big step forward, particularly in interior comfort, features and design. Some reviews said the car was underpowered and I do not find that at all. There is plenty of power and the vehicle moves quite quickly. First and second gears are a bit noisy though and then third through sixth gears are quite quiet. A great highway cruiser. Altogether a great value, way better priced than the competition. Cadillac should sell a ton of them.

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  2009 Cadillac CTS 4dr sedan 3.6L - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By jon - November 3 - 11:34 pm

  Previously owned Mercedes Benz E420, BMW 328i, BMW 325i, Lexus LS 430. Never thought about ever owning a Caddy. Was considering buying BMW 525i or Merc E350, but felt that it is too common. Finally, gave the CTS a shot when I saw it in the showroom. Beautiful cutting edge design on exterior and interior and what an incredible driving experience, rival that of my previous BMW and Mercs.Way better than my Lexus in handling. Much quieter than my 2007 BMW 3 series on highway. Proof that GM can make good car if it wanted too. Highly recommend the new CTS, best bang for the money! One other bonus, dont have to use premium gasoline.

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  Best car on the planet (for the money) - 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By David P. - November 2 - 6:06 am

  Absolutely best car on the planet for the money. Excellent cars can be had for $4-6,000. Make sure to buy one which has been properly maintained all its life. Trashy ones make for good parts car. Parts are expensive. Only buy the LT-1 (94-96). I car-pool my deep-red 96 Brougham to an expensive, snotty prep school and proudly enter the drop-off zone amidst BMW-X5,Range Rovers, Porsche SUV. For the same money, I can buy one for each day of the week.

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  2017 Cadillac XT5 - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By Rick Franco - November 2 - 1:21 am

  This is a perfect midsize SUV with legroom in the back seats. We just returned from a road trip and I am extremely happy with its overall performance.

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  The Best Crossover Ever - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By SeeMeFly - October 29 - 5:26 pm

  After attempting to purchase a 2010 RX350 and not getting a deal in the Houston area, I waited for the 2010 SRX release. Best wait ever and best car ever owned. Hands down over my Mercedes C280 purchased new in 1998. With cars like this GM will be back on top soon! A joy to drive and love the Nav and XM radio. Was able to get a spare tire from dealer, although they dont come with car.

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  very happy - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Big Jay - October 29 - 3:38 pm

  This car has been excellent. I bought the car use and the performance has been exciting. I do not have any negative issues to report the car is great.

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  Ex X5 Ownwer - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Bill - October 29 - 12:26 pm

  My family and I love the car. It is a pleasure to drive and a headturner.

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  SRX matches up well - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Sjones - October 29 - 10:56 am

  Drove the SRX with 20" wheels and most other options at manufacturer event. GLK, X5 and RX350 were on hand for comparison. The SRX interior was the best hands down. The GLK was dull and the RX350s design is just odd. The simple touch screen nav is easier to use that the Lexus mouse controller. The 3L engine did not feel slow although it was noticeably slower than the Lexus with its 3.5L V6. That said, the SRX felt much more buttoned down than the Lexus and on par with the GLK. The backseat offered vents with climate control which the Lexus lacks. Also, the door panels were of superior quality to the Lexus. Did not sample X5 because it was so much more expensive than the others.

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  Very Happy - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By richcory - October 28 - 3:38 pm

  Wife and I bought our 08 STS V8 in March of this year and it had 13000 miles on it. We like it so much that we have driven to to Vegas, Denver and Ohio from our home in Oklahoma. Wife drives it every day to work and another 13000 miles later we couldnt be happier with our purchase. On the trip to Vegas and back we averaged 30 MPG with 4 adults and trunk full of luggage. Sound system is the best of any factory system available. Nav is good but could be more user friendly. Interior storage space could be improved upon and the glove box is a joke. Overall a great car with lots of performace and fun to drive. Its performace isnt that far off from my 94 Vette.

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  2010 Cadillac SRX - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By American Musashi - October 28 - 2:03 pm

  I recently purchased a new 2010 SRX. It is sporty yet very comfortable. Its styling is superior to that of the Lexus, Acura, Mercedes and some BMW crossovers (the new X6 is super cool but super small). I was in the market for a vehicle that offered me the best value for my dollar and I found it with this outstanding machine. My SRX is a premium and as a result has an impressive list of amenities. It has sporty handling when I need it and is quiet and comfortable on my daily commute. I have to say that I am a convert and am impressed with the overall quality of the material and workmanship.