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:

• 

  What a ride! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By juagile - November 15 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle looks good. It is my first luxury vehicle. I am happy with its performance. It is roomy, comfortable and quiet.

• 

  XLR - Great car - but . . . . - 2006 Cadillac XLR
  By jimbo - November 14 - 2:52 pm

  While a very unique vehicle - those seeking a luxury sports car will find it falls short of the XK, SL, 6xx series vehicles. Its Corvette heritage is very obvious and in the supercharged version has good performance (non-supercharged is a bit "wanting" IMHO). The lack of any type of storage behind the seats really makes this a challenge when traveling. Also with the top down - storage is practically zip - especially when compared with the SL.

• 

  2006 XLR - 2006 Cadillac XLR
  By Race Addington - November 13 - 2:15 am

  This is my 2nd Cadillac, 1st was 2005 CTS. The XLR is a sporty, good looking car that attracts a lot of attension. The only complant is the lack of knowledge for repairs and maintence and its common malfunctions of computer driven systems. Also for such an expensive car the FM raido reception system is weak and some interior items are built cheaply such as visors, visor mirrors and storage compartments between seats. Other than that, the car is a great ride. Note: Watch out for the cops, they seem attracted to expensive look and dont take kindly to top down and music loud.

• 

  To my surprise - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By Back in a Caddy - November 11 - 7:46 pm

  Im surprised by this car, Ive not had a lot of problems with my sedan. I bought this used a few years back with 48,000 mi on it after I couldnt afford to get my older 7 series BMW fixed. I sometimes forgot I wasnt in my BMW when driving down the interstate because the Catera gripped the road like a small series BMW. If you stood outside this car youd think a tall man like myself that stands 64 could never fit comfortably and then you get in, its like wow? Ive found that a lot of GM mechanics have a hard time working on my car because its German made so Ive been taking it to my BMW mechanic who feels right at home. Ive serviced this car on a reg basis and soon approaching 100,000!

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By John - October 29 - 1:41 am

  I have had mine for a month now, gone on very long trips and love it, have tvs in all the headrests and some 22s on it. My favorite vehicle Ive owned yet.

• 

  I just love to look at it! - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By JJJ - October 28 - 2:26 pm

  I love this car with a few minor exceptions. With the sport package, the 20 inch wheels, and all black outside, there are not very many better looking SUVs on the road. With the V8, its just plain fast. But, I am only getting 13.5 MPG, less than in the Escalade I traded in. And, the Escalade took regular gas. Seats could be a bit more comfortable but not bad.

• 

  Beware of High Repair costs - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By slim_257 - October 12 - 9:36 pm

  Just a word to the wise. Cadillac patented all parts for this car right down to the battery. There is a microchip in the battery that ensures you buy an AC delco. I had to have some repairs done on the head gasket seals and the power steering had a leak, and the repairs cost over $2,300 just for those two. If you are thinking about buying a CTS and expect to "trick" the car by buying other parts, just look for a different car because I had the battery replaced with a non-AC Delco battery and the car didnt detect the microchip and told OnStar I stole the vehicle and they disabled the car until I replaced it with good old AC Delco. If you are rich, this is a good car for you.

• 

  I like this car - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Vsizemore - October 9 - 5:05 am

  I purchased my CTS certified used. I was looking at several new vehicles, including both the 3 and 5 series BMWs, Audi. I never even thought of considering a Cadillac until I saw one at a dealership when I was looking at another vehicle. I fell in love with the design. I drove it and fell in love with it. I waited a few months to review it so I could really experience the vehicle. I still love it. It is unbelievably comfortable, has a smooth ride, and tons of features. I buy new cars about every 2 years. I will probably keep this one longer, and Ill definitely consider another CTS when the time comes, which I havent done with a vehicle for a long time.

• 

  Cady STS - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By ET - October 6 - 2:53 pm

  Great car until it hits 100,000 miles. Suspension is getting mushy and various loose parts and ticks. Great car design and wonderfull utility

• 

  07 Escalade - great SUV - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Nick Slade - October 5 - 1:50 am

  My only complaint was the noise from towing a trailer. The sound of the hitch rattling was transmited into the cab. The ride in the cabin is so quiet and refined. The sound of the trailer was very appparent.