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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  its worth taking a look - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By uncledupie - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Have only had vehicle 2.5 months - look forward to driving everytime i get in. handles very well, plenty of "getty up and go" - with the automatic. features and Bose stereo is great! touring package also helps substantially.

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  Love the Escalade! - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By Escalade loover - October 27 - 4:24 pm

  Bought the Escalade used, but feels like new. Finest vehicle weve ever owned style matters. The Sequoia is ugly and so we took a chance on Cadillac and have not been disappoointed.

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  I love it! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Ms. SRX - October 26 - 3:33 am

  Buying this SUV was an excellent choice. It is the perfect size, specifically when you have kids (it is not too tall.) The powered third row is a plus! The entertainment system is excellent, specifically the location of the DVD! However, it is noisy. You will hear everything around you even if you have the radio and AC on.

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  GM Gets It Right! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Barry - October 25 - 3:53 pm

  Dont want a car, Dont want a truck, this crossover is for you!Looks great inside & out.Handles flawlessly even with its 265 HP.My SRX is loaded with rear DVD & chrome wheels.You get a lot for the $ & big savings from competitors.Take one for a ride, youll love it!

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  Under Rated - 2010 Cadillac DTS
  By northernwisconsin - October 24 - 4:42 pm

  While I have nothing against the foreign models, the repair costs for a Benz are high. I have an 06 DTS with 36M and the car is great. Good build quality. A great highway cruiser. It seems like the press is locked in the 80s calling the car a floater for handling etc. The DTS does everything expected of it with class. The engine and trans are bulletpoof. Local transmission shop says they never see the Caddy trans for overhaul. The post-05 seats are excellent and fit 6 footer. The car is no more heavy than Lexus. The DTS design could use a freshening with some GM money. But I have no complaints and have been pleasantly surprised at how competent the vehicle is.

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  Cadillac SRX - at the top with no second - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Lawrence - October 23 - 4:27 pm

  This vehicle exceeds anything I can imagine. The quality of the vehicle and the interior - everything to a tee.. never thought a V6 would deliver quick driving and quiet at the same time - gas mileage is out of the chute at an average of 25 mpg with limited downtown driving. The style steps over any other.. in a class by itself. Lot of room and cozy interior. Love it !!

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  Great car, nice ride. - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By sp4rt4nz - October 22 - 8:46 am

  My first American car, after several Japenese sedans. The styling and build quality are excellent. Ive had a few quirky problems, but no less reliable than the Toyotas, Infiniti, and Nissans that Ive owned. The CTS has been much more reliable than the G35 which I traded. The CTS has been a low maint vehicle as I do oil changes and tire rotation only every 10K miles. Ive been averaging 20 mpg in mixed driving, which is a bit disappointing, but it only requires non-premium fuel. This is no BMW, but I also paid $7K less than a comparably equipped 3- series and the CTS is much roomier for a 6ft. 200lb driver.

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  Way To Go GM! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Barry - October 17 - 2:31 pm

  Now this is what a high quality SUV should be like.Quality for a great price!These are selling off the lots faster then pancakes @ ihop! Be real happy if you get one for MSRP?

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  My dream car - 2012 Cadillac CTS
  By Diane - October 16 - 8:59 pm

  Love this car,car of my dreams,finally bought it and now the reasonable thing to do is sell her due to moving to the montana mountains! NowI need a suv.This is a beautiful car and gets a lot of attention.Beautiful black diamond tri coat that sparkles in the sun.BEAUTIFUL!

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  Cadillac Hits One Over the Wall - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Black and Gold - October 16 - 7:14 pm

  I shopped around before selecting the SRX. This beats the Lexus RX350 by a long shot. This crossover is premium quality throughout. I couldnt believe how much less this was than a comparably equipped Lexus. The quality, comfortable ride, handling, and all the bells and whistles is hopefully some of what GM will be coming out with soon. This car has restored my confidence in GM- somebody did their homework on this crossover. Even the gas mileage is decent- getting in the mid 20s on the road.