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 has Problems - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By William - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car when they came out and was excited. I thought that cadillac had finnally made a break Through. I experienced nothing but problems. Air conditioner leaks flooded the car twice. All the carpet had to be replaced. Battery went out. Warning lights coming on for no reason. And the service from the dealership was horrible. I called the Customer Assistance center thinking that they would help. Not only no help but rude. Cadillac will never regain market share with poor quality and even poorer service. They just dont seem to care about the consumer once they have purchased a car. Beware of the CTS unless you want migrane headaches

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  Fun 2.5L standard Caddy - 2016 Cadillac ATS
  By Red - February 3 - 1:12 am

  Handling is excellent and makes this car fun to drive. Using the new 8 speed transmission in manual mode makes it easy to keep the 2.5L within its power band. The engine has 202HP (naturally aspirated) with no extra turbo parts to worry about. I prefer long term reliability rather than a quick 0-60 time. Also, this car is rear wheel drive with a longitudinal engine and a 50/50 balanced weight ratio, that is hard to find these days in a 4 door sedan.

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  luxurious caddy - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By franklin busby - January 27 - 6:25 am

  the ride is very comfortable. has all the bells and whistles inside! Can pull boat or trailer with ease! Only con is gas mileage!!!!

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  Cadillac for the young!!! - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By lberk - January 26 - 10:30 pm

  Living in South Florida presents some unique driving experiences and obstacles. So I traded in my 2006 Mercedes Benz CLK 350 convertible for something more utilitarian and safer for the wild roads of South Florida, my 2008 Escalade EXT. I love this truck. The buying experience was great as the dealership, coral cadillac, was a pleasure to deal with to the drive of the truck anything but that of a truck. Smooth over any type of road. It looks great (Black with the 22" chrome rims!). I can put my sons go-kart in the back and makes trips to Home depot easier. In sum, this is great truck and I look rugged pulling up to the court house next to the other attorneys driving there puny Benzs.

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  CTS #2 - 2016 Cadillac CTS
  By broberts - January 25 - 10:39 am

  Liking the car so far (1month now). The fuel saving feature - where the engine cuts off at a stop - is a pain. Glad there is an override feature. The SUV does not have the override and that was at least one of the eliminating features for me to consider that vehicle. Very nice acceleration. Good gas mileage so far.

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  NOT WORTH THE MONEY AND MILEAGE IS TERRI - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By amanda - January 25 - 3:46 am

  I bought this car thinking I was going green. Unfortunately, only thing green about this car is the high price tag. I have always had a MERCEDES and never minded spending the money as it is a quality car. No comparison!!!! Leather is cheap in the Escalade and my dog have made scratches every time they are in there. Storage is non existent. Not even room for the DVD ear phones. No spare tire. Had to pay $1,400 extra for a spare tire mounted underneath the car. This car needs to be totally redesigned and done correctly Do not waste your money on this one.

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  Love it!!!!!!! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By dfrost - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I went from a 2002 GMC Yukon Denali to a 2003 Caddilac CTS and I will NEVER TURN BACK!!!! I love this car...

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  The new handling benchmark for its class! - 2016 Cadillac ATS
  By John - January 8 - 1:21 am

  Great handling car. Easy to see out of when driving. We have the base four cylinder so its a little rough on starting but in line with other cars in its class. Easy to park and when driving quite fun to drive.

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  CADILLACS - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By JENNIFER - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I USED TO HAVE A JEEP AND WITH THIS NEW VEHICLE I AM NOT LIMITED JUST TYPICAL SUV FEATURES (CAN USE THE TRUCK BED TO HAIL). IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE MOST QUITE SUV I HAVE EVER BEEN IN!

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  ONE OF CADILLACS BEST EFFORTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By MARVIN - December 23 - 10:00 am

  This car does almost everything right. It definitely needs some more power. The power is adequate but not exciting. Cadillac has hit a good nerve with the younger buyer. I have experienced zero problems and the initial quality has been perfect. The volume wheel on the steering wheel is poorly positioned as I hit it when turning on occasions blasting the volume. The car is fun to drive and still gets a lot of stares. I recommend that anyone considering a foreign car in this price range at least drive the CTS and give it a chance. Overall I would recommend this car to anyone.