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 your great grandfather Caddy - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By catbert - October 5 - 10:00 am

  The brand I never thought Id never drive, and the slowest car I was considering, but Cadillac got the rest of the car right. The handling is great with the luxury sport package, the build quality is as good as any car Ive owned (the Caddy is #39). The car is tight and quiet around town. The dealership is a little creepy in spite of the capable techs... its the geezers chowing down on the free snacks.

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  Cadillac SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Cal Bettis - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Drives more like a car than a SUV. The Sun roof is exciting and beautiful. A marvelous machine

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  SRX V6 RWD - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Yankeeman - September 22 - 2:00 am

  After a couple of Mini-Vans, this is really a step up. Third row seating is a must have option. Excellent fit and finish.

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  GR8 CAR - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By bticknor - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I just love this car.

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  Back to Cadillac - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By C.Vanino - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Over the yrs.I owned 14 different cars and am now on my 2nd Cad. The 1st Cad was a 76 S as it broke from the "old people" look of its day with what was then the "Euro Look". Then in the 80s the Cad S started looking like the "old people" look again & I changed. Now the new CTS model of the Cad has a youth look to it & even though I am now "old", I like the new looks of it. The 2004 CTS "goes" when you need it and is fantastic on the turns. In the 50s we tried to make those old cars do what the CTS does today. So if you want comfort, performance, good fuel efficiency and fun with a car, try a CTS. You will love it.

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  My first GM Product Ever! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By RobertP - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I own a Mercedes CLK320 and a Volvo XC-90 and I must say that this car surpasses both in build quality and fun to drive factor. The 3.6 engine perfoms great, the car is vault-like and solid and the interior ergonomics are excellent. The interior is not as pretty as an Audi or BMW but I prefer this car to any german make I have owned.

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  2004 Escalade - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Escey - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I love the Escalade.I bought a 2004 in August . It had just arrived on the lot and it was the first Navy one I had every seen.(still have never seen another one on the road) Not only does it feel so smooth when you drive, it has the most comfortable seats to sit in. As far as the gas...well...it is not so good but then again I down scaled from a suburban so my fill up time has decreased. I now only have time to read 1/2 of a book instead of the whole book waiting for my tank to fill up.I would recommend this car to everyone. I drove all the comparble Suvs on the road and not one compared to the feel of my Escey.

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  Awesome Truck! - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By John - September 16 - 7:20 am

  I have had this truck for six months and 8,000 miles. Great ride and handling. This truck has excellent power, I have towed a 7,000 lb. trailer and it felt like there was nothing behind me. The only problem I have had is with the navigation system not working correctly and a whining in the front drivetrain but they were both fixed by the dealership.

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  YUm - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By SaNjU - September 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is out of this world!

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  Ya! Baby - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Anthony Clay - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I received the Cadillac CTS as a company car and it has been the most impressive company car that Ive ever driven. In the past I have had Volvo, Sabb and various General Motors, Fords and Chryslers. I really like the firm suspension without being considered bumpy. After driving the sob 9-5 I was surprised that he used more gas but I guess thats what you have to give up for the performance. The styling of the car is really progressive and is like nothing else on the highway. For those who enjoy being different this is just what theyre looking for.