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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  This Cadillac Delivers - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By BigWes - September 20 - 10:55 am

  I rented 2010 SRX first to make sure I liked the cars offerings, and it won me over hands down. It is a bonifide Cadillac in every aspect. From the front grille to the tail lights it screams loud that it is GMs best. Smooth ride, solid handling, quality appointments and surperb brakes. I read a couple of reviews suggested a bigger engine was needed. I find the base 3.0 V6 quite sufficient for the task. Its responsive to throttle input and EPA mileage rating seems to be true. I LOVE this car and it was worth the wait for them to hit dealer showrooms. Keep making cars like this GM and you will regain the #1 auto maker spot soon.

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  Cadillac DeVille DHS - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Dman - September 16 - 3:09 am

  There are no complaints with this car, its a winner Handles well, smooth ride and quality in all areas. Great design and nice interior has this a a true favorite. AC in the rear for passengers own controls and back up sensors to alert driver. The seats have individual controls including that of your passengers. I have no complaints. None.

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  Best Sedan on the Market - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By JCP - September 15 - 10:03 pm

  This was a long process of comparing price ranges and ameneties, and Cadillac was the clear winner. I have the Sport & Luxury packages and for the money, could not be happier. If you like manual shifters, this is the smoothest in low to high speeds and gives punch when needed. Great car.

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  Love my Escalade - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Kelly J - September 14 - 9:42 am

  I love my 2005 Escalade. I bought it as a demo with 3000 miles on it in 2005. I have 80,000 miles on it now and havent had anything go wrong other than an issue with the heater fan, it wouldnt stop running even when off, so the dealership fixed it and havent had any other issues. It just now needs new brakes, other than that I havent put a dime into it as far as repairs go. I wanted to trade it in for a newer model, but I wasnt impressed with the interior on the new Escalades, my 2005 is much more plush and looks way better the new ones look cheap inside...no caddy logos in the seats? I just cant say enough good things about this SUV...I love it!

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  Worth the wait - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Alex - September 12 - 2:22 pm

  In August, my wife and I were tempted to pounce on an Audi Q5 in order to take advantage of CARS but decided to wait for the 2010 SRXs to arrive instead. This vehicle has been totally worth the wait! (so far) If it were possible I would write in an 11 for "Exterior Design". You simply wont find better than this in the crossover class. The interior is stylish while not overdone. While the Q5 has a better navigation CPU/GPU, I find the retractable design and overall touch screen interface of the SRX to be superior. The ride is smooth and quiet while the throttle response and steering somehow maintain a high fun-to-drive factor. Q5? RX350? No thanks. Give me the 2010 SRX.

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  1993 Cadillac Allante - 1993 Cadillac Allante
  By Dan III - September 11 - 8:12 pm

  The 1993 Allante is the finest car Cadillac has ever built. It is too bad they didnt keep the line going. The XLR is a nice care, but doesnt compare to the Allante. Cadillac build some prototypes of the 1994, which had a fully powered metal roof, similar to the XLR. The quality of the interior and the exterior is unmatched by "normal" American cars. The only negative for the car is the semi-manual convertible top, however if you put it up and down a lot, it gets simpler and easier. I have been asked several times while stopped at traffic lights- what is it and how much do I want for it. It is a real head turner.

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  cadillacs are amazing ! - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By inkjax - September 11 - 1:09 pm

  The 02 sls is just as Nice as my 96 etc. Not every car is perfect. Some do have issues. For the most part caddys are amazing cars with a huge history (except for v8-6/4 and ht4100) both huge piles of crap! The s series cars are well built and usually very very reliable cars. Fun to drive and easy to take care of. Vegas and nearly back on a tank with all the performance of a sports car! How do you beat that? (230 miles one way) that was nearly 28 mpg in full size luxury sedan. I have owned 75 caddys in my life and would recommend them to anyone who wanted an upscale reliable car. Amazing ! Thank you Cadillac!

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  One Year Update Review - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By MJLx2 - September 4 - 12:47 pm

  One year and 17,000 miles ago I bought my 09 CTS. What a phenomenal car. Fun to drive, not a single problem, and still a head turner. Highway mileage has averaged 26 - 29 mpg on road trips - using regular gas. Truly a terrific car. The AWD was outstanding throughout last years Chicago winter. The car is still tight as the day I bought it. The 304 hp engine is quick and powerful with a deep growl when you jump on it. My previous car was a Lexus ES 330 and before that an Acura TL. Without question this is a much more fun to drive and stylish car with the same reliability and quality of the competition. Would I buy this car again? - without hesitation.

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  Fun at a great price - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By Has the Power - September 3 - 2:33 pm

  Purchased this car used with less than 30K miles on her. Have own her for 7 years and it is the most comfortable car I have had with lots of bells and whistles on her. She is a fun car to drive.

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  POWER/SAVY/LUXURY - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By NORMAN - August 28 - 2:45 am

  Hello I honestly believe this vehicle is superior in the City/traveling on highways, a great feeling of power at anytime, tire gauge light comes on rear tire pressure/front only on right side,they need to take care of the situation otherwise it is excellent. Norman