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 a Cadillac! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By J BYRD - January 1 - 4:26 pm

  Ive had the 2010 Cadillac Luxury, Premium turbo and now own the Performance model. The Luxury was front wheel drive and I wanted the AWD with all the features, so I got the Premium model with the 2.8 turbo. It was great with nice acceleration and all the features...fully loaded with entertainment package. I then saw the Performance model with all the same features except the 2.8 turbo and econo mode; however, I liked it better because it uses regular gas, not like the turbo, which requires premium gas. I liked all 3 SRX s...but the Performance model 3.0 meet all my needs and is Cadillac Luxury in every way. Edmunds website was very helpful in the research to fine the perfect car for me.

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  Great Performance.but will not repeat - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By healthguy - December 28 - 10:25 pm

  This car reminds me of the NY Yankees. On paper, it just cant be beat. On the road, and day to day there are some glaring misses. Unless this is fixed in the next model year, I will not buy again. Now my detail: A great handler. Excellent solid feel of the road. Beautful look and touch. Quiet and smooth ride. Now the problem 1) Terrible heat and air control for back seats. 2) No button to open the hatch, you have to use the remote, and that takes practice. 3) with the rear ent system, you only get 1 cd/dvd. Just one, whats the deal with that? 4)3rd row electric seat is a death march and not simple either. Nothing like waiting 3 minutes in the rain for a seat.

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  I Love It, but Cant Enjoy It! - 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Angelena - December 28 - 12:30 am

  I love my new Escalade, but these gas prices are really killing my buzz.. Its hard to enjoy is when you know that any real outing is gonna cost $50 or more in gas. The truck is beautiful and comfortable, but I liked it a lot more before gas was over $3 a gallon.

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  Rolling the dice on the 08 Slade - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By Halls1030 - December 22 - 1:01 am

  Decided on the 08 AWD Escalade after test driving the 08: MDX, GL320 & 450, Q7, Range Rover Sport, X5, & Sequoia Platinum. We decided to roll the dice on GM after getting an unbelieveable deal on a lease. Now anyone doing homework on the Escalade knows this SUV has pros/cons. Reliability issues, possible wind noise, gas mileage...and while we liked the GL 320 & 450 the pricing was too good to pass up on the Caddy. Wife loves it. Tons of room inside, great rear-entertainment (unfortunately it blocks rear view mirror. No problems to date though. We love the curb appeal as well. I will say anyone shopping an large SUV must check out the 08 Seqouia Platinum. Understated & loaded!

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  Lemon - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By sb1122 - December 21 - 3:46 pm

  December 30th will be 1 year since we leased this car. Since then we have replaced 1 battery, 6 tires, (all locations), 2 front wheels, a timing chain, a steering rack and a CV joint. While the servicing dealer has been great the fact remains that we still have a "vibration", or "rumble" at various speeds. Since filing lemon law papers and bringing back car for "last chance" repair, we are now informed that this is "typical/usual" to this car. They didnt say that the first 4 times car was in & they replaced wheels and tires. Otherwise we love the car!

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  I love it - 2007 Cadillac XLR
  By Bernie - December 21 - 1:42 am

  I spent a long time deciding whether I wanted to spend the money for this car. Strange as it may seem, I also considered the Saturn Sky which is a terrific looking car. Ive owned a convertible before and knew that if I ever owned one again it would have to have a power hard top with a glass rear window. The XLR looks great and is fun to drive. Gas mileage on the highway has been far better than expected too!

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  Where;s the Beef? - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By CGypsy - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Finally a rear wheel drive!!! And the exterior styling that is unique, not a run of the mill generic jelly bean. Now if only my CTS had some horse power! It is really lacking in that department. The V6 just doesnt have the power you would expect. A real disappointment. Im not happy with the "early" shift pattern of the auto trans either. This would be a dynamite car with a V8!

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  I Love The SRX - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Jay - December 4 - 4:10 pm

  I just bought an SRX. It rides so good. We have 2 kids And they do not like to sit in the same seat so the thrid row comes handy. We put in a DVD player. I love the sunroof and the one in the thrid row.

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  Its no Lexus - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Gearhead - November 28 - 10:11 am

  Fun to drive lots of power from the V8 AWD works great in the snow the ride is firm but not to firm, good leg room front and back except for the third row seat kids only 9yrs. and under. Too much cheap looking plastic on the interior and poor gas mileage 12mpg city 16-17 mpg hwy. Noisy engine

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  I bought a Luxury Truck! - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By 2Escalades - November 21 - 12:07 am

  As this is now my second Escalade I do not believe as of now I will own anything else. Unless they come out with something that can beat the gas mileage. The exterior is great, the ride is amazing and all it takes is a small tap on the gas and you feel the 400 HP. As of right now GM has built a vehicle that is reliable and something that I know I can trust with my life and anyone that rides in it.