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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  CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By ry1nik - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Ive never had an "entry level luxury car" before, so I can only compare my CTS to a Grand Prix or lower type vehicle. I have the feeling that the CTS is strapped to me, instead of me just being an occupant of the vehicle. That indicates how much I like the driving quality. I got the Copper Sunburst color (which Caddy is discontinuing), and I get LOTS of comments and turned heads.

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  The seats are Great for a 380 pound BodyGuard - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By Big penny - August 21 - 8:54 am

  No Compaints Excellent SUV Cadilac did a Great Job Love the Tech

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  THE ALMOST EVERYTHING VEHICLE - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By fugee88c - August 19 - 10:00 am

  THIS TRUCK IS FUN TO DRIVE,WORKS HARD WHEN YOU NEED IT AND LOOKS GREAT WHEN YOU NEED TO GO OUT ON THE TOWN

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  Wonderful vehicle - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Kimmykim - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I love this vehicle. The look is so beautiful also. I get so many compliments on my CTS.

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  Wonderful car - 2016 Cadillac XTS
  By Bob Johnson - August 11 - 2:48 pm

  This is a very well designed luxury car that easily beats those offered by Mercedes and BMW. We love the 6 cylinder engine and regular tires with a spare. It runs on regular gas unlike the small turbo engines. We definitely wanted to avoid the runflat tires which are so expensive and problematic. The XTS was the best car for us with the most interior room for 4 adults of any luxury car of this size. Nice going Cadillac!

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  fine suv - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Richard Cenami - August 5 - 10:53 am

  I have owned two suburbans,one expedition,two jeeps,two mazda mvp and a suburu outback.The srx has the best ride and handling more room inside except for the suburbans.Of the previous models the suburu was the best all around suv but to small.

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  2004 CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Bruce B - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I have the Luxury Sport model of the 2004 CTS and it is great. I love the looks/style of this car. What makes it nice it does not look like every other car in todays market. The fit and finish is great on this car. Cadillac has hit the mark on this vehical.

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  Great Cadillac - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Jeffery - July 30 - 10:00 am

  on second one and never been back to the dealer, no problems

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  Forget the back seat - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Eddie Mae - July 20 - 6:36 am

  Wanted comfortable towing vehicle, I got that. Bed cover leaks, dealer does not tell you that, but, it is in the vehicles manual (now who reads this before buying). The back seat is useless. I am 52" and rode in the back seat for 200 miles and was never so uncomfortable! Maybe a child could, I say maybe! I am pleased with the towing ability that is great. As far as 14 mpg. I consistently get 12.5

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  poor service, bad car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By acnac1 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Had a leak in the air conditioner to the inside of the car. Twice the leak re occured. the servicing dealer damaged the car both times it was in for repair. Many other problems..car stayed in the shop many days. Wrote Cadilac about it but did not even get the courtesy of a reply. They dont seem to be interested in what customers think. Avoid this Car