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 not great unless its a V8!! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By muffin - January 17 - 10:00 am

  The V6 falls terribly short of what a car that "Zigs" should be. Only a V8 will make this car Zig! Had to have the rear end replaced (less than 10,000 miles). Have had the tires replaced twice as the steering wheel shakes and quivers. Continual engine knock! Dealer has no answer. Poor engineering with the head lights. The black bar affect is dangerous on roads that are poorly lit.

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  CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By leblion76 - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic handling, performance, and styling. A new gem from Cadillac which bodes well for the future.

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  Presence like no other SUV! - 2016 Cadillac Escalade
  By S.Alexander - January 12 - 9:44 am

  I owned a previous generation Escalade and the new model is a huge improvement over the old one. Interior is very luxurious, and looks way better than GLS or Q7. Old model was Rear or AWD only, and now you can get 4WD, and use it in rear wheel drive mode (or automatic or permanent 4WD) for everyday driving. No need to use 4WD for summer driving and waste gas. As a result fuel economy improved substantially, I get 16 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg highway. Apple CarPlay adds a nice touch and all electronics and navigation look/work perfectly fine. My complaints would be lack of a sunroof in the base trim ($76K), and even if you get a model with a sunroof, its a small one. Panoramic roof is not available. Magnetic ride is awesome and very smooth, however, once you hit a rough pavement, the ride becomes very jittery. Handling is very confident and acceleration is very good, but, try to change lanes quickly at highway speeds, and you will be quickly reminded that you drive a huge truck. Overall driving feeling is very confident, you wont be bothered by snow, heavy rain or any other nonsense. In the end, I decided to get this car for its unique look and presence. Park it next to Audi Q7 or MB GLS and see for yourself. Q7 looks like a station wagon/minivan from the side, and GLS looks very unassuming and small next to the Escalades huge grill and glowing vertical LED lights. Euro competition may offer better ride and some technical advances, but Escalade brings such unique and unrivaled presence - it is still the king of SUVs.

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  IM IMPRESSED - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By GREYFOX - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE STYLING, PERFORMANCE, AND ALL AROUND NICE VEHICLE THAT THIS IS. HAVING BEEN A PAST CADILLACE OWNER, THIS ONE IMPRFESSED ME MORE THAN THE OTHERS. IT REPRESENTS A HUGE LEAP FORWARD FOR AMERICAN AUTOO MAKERS.

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  Almost As Much Fun - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By MrVette - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had Cadillacs for the last 15 years...Eldorados, Savilles, DeVilles, I have owned them all, but this is the best. I also own a C5 Vette and this is almost as much fun to drive. For a sedan it does everything well. The Germans better watch out. This little Caddy is hot on there tracks

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  Bmw 3? Audi a4? MB C280?? No thanks! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Dave - January 8 - 8:40 pm

  Unbelievable! Who needs the bmw 3, A4, or MB c class. This car looks amazing, it drives likes its got attitude. I have the 304 hp model with rear wheel dr. Fully loaded with the luxury package and navigation. The only thing this car is missing is blue tooth. there is zero road noise, you can only hear the engine at higher revs.

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  Love at first drive - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By M - January 1 - 1:23 am

  I test drove, test drove, and test drove. I drive for work every day, so I wanted to be prepared for the purchase. I also have 4 kids, so I needed at least 6 seats. I looked at every Nissan Minivan & SUV + the Infiniti, Toyota, Mazda, Chrysler, Ford, etc. I wanted at least a V6, 4WD-AWD, 6+ seats, leather interior. This easily brought me into the $30k+ ballpark. I took my first test drive in the SRX right after it was released (V8, etc) and as soon as I nailed it coming off a ramp onto the highway, I was hooked. I also tote folks around for work, so the HUGE back seat was great. Not minivan cavernous, but definitely SUV huge. Youll love it from your first drive.

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  outstanding - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By aaron s - December 25 - 10:00 am

  Recently turned in my E55 MB, feel the fit and finish of my new STS is outstanding. Bought the STS on the whim after test driving, never thought Id be back buying a non german auto......

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  Love my XT5 - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By Mary - December 13 - 1:23 am

  I love SUVs and this car has meant my expectations. I was chosing between the Lexus RX 350, Mercedes GLC and the Cadillac XT5. Very happy with my decision to get the XT5. I liked the look of the car outside and inside the best. The car rides and handles very well. I drive a 100 miles a day to and from work do wanted a comfortable and quiet car. The car is great looking and fun to drive.

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  Great car - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By William lacina - December 12 - 5:49 pm

  I love my 05 cadillac cts sedan! It performs great on the road. With excellent acceleration and handling it is easily the best car Ive owned. The quiet cabin is great! Hardly any road noise at all. It was a great buy as a used vehicle for me and my family. Perfectly reliable for over a year now too. No complaints.