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:

• 

  Converted to SUVs - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By ms - June 7 - 4:26 am

  Changed from a Jeep Grand Cherokee to my 2004 Cadillac SRX and what a difference. I had never liked SUVs and now drive the SRX everywhere just for fun. It accelerates well, is great looking, and much better at braking than the Grand Cherokee was. I would recommend it to everyone.

• 

  Cant believe I bought a GM product - 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Whiteparty - June 6 - 10:00 am

  I owned 2 GM products in the late 80s and early 90s that had to be bought back through Better business bureau arbitration. After Driving for the past 1o years Range Rover, Lexus, Toyota Supra, Porsche, and Acura I needed to trade my 99 Acura 3.5 RL for something that can tow a jetski.(cried when I traded the 3.5RL) It was between Landrover Discovery and Escalade EXT. Chose the EXT over Discovery on all levels. The interior trim is totally GM cheesy with more fake woodgrain than you can shake a paint can at. Pricing on Diamond White with Sunroof MSRP 52K and change. Negotiated 11K off of MSRP for total of about 4K under invoice. Im satisfied.

• 

  CTS is envy of crowd - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Charlie AZ - June 6 - 10:00 am

  The CTS has bold lines, which turns some heads as you drive by. The after market spoiler adds another dimension to the vehicle. Car has enough power, but could use a few more ponies. The comfort of the interior is accentuated with the 8 speaker Bose system and navigation package. This car rides like a dream with stabilitrack. The minimum speed for freeway on ramps and clover leafs has just been bumped up a notch. I recomend this car to everyone. I look forward to the V-Series coming out.

• 

  A great car - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By JWrightCA - June 5 - 2:00 am

  This has been my second Seville. The first was a 1976 classic that I had for fourteen years and 165,000 miles. Loved it. This one -- in the white diamond with tan interior -- has been a flawless car and I like it as much today as I did then. It has been completely reliable, very stylish, nothing but ordinary maintenance. A gem.

• 

  1995 Eldorado - 1995 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Rudy - June 5 - 2:00 am

  The design of the 1995 Eldorado is beautiful and perfect. The interior though, including the trunk, leaves much to be desired. The interior seems poorly designed. There are no bins or little areas to stash road maps and such. Mechanically, the Cadillac is designed wery well and the Northstar Engine seems perfect, except that is uses more oil than any car I have ever owned. When accellerating at full power, if the steering wheel is not exactly straight, the steering wheel will be jerked straight and the car will be zig zagging for a while until it finds an equilibrium. Fuel mileage is very good for this type car.

• 

  Love this car! - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By gg - June 5 - 2:00 am

  By far the best car I have ever owned - 147,000 miles and still going strong. I could by a new vehicle but I love this car! It has a great comfortable ride and provides protection on the roads.

• 

  Almost a dream car - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Alivox - June 3 - 2:00 am

  this car is incredible, the styling is chocking, amazing for a traditional company like Cadillac...

• 

  Most Excellent Large Luxury Sedan - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Baron87 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  Just a fabulous vehicle for anyone looking to buy a large luxury sedan with lots of power, room, performance, and exceptional quality/reliability.

• 

  Out with BMW in with Caddy - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By John David Morgan - June 2 - 10:00 am

  Have had nothing short of a great experience with my SRX. Traded a 5 Series BMW and this Caddy is giving the BMW a run for the money. It rides better, handles the same, has quicker pick up, more amenities and holds more. Working in Real Estate, I have to drive a fancy car, that shows both success but is also comfortable. This SRX does it all. I would highly recomended this car to anyone!!

• 

  Caddy Happy - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By hkern - June 2 - 10:00 am

  What a great car quiet, smooth and quick. Love the interior amd all the stuff. Every one that has seen it really likes the design.