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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  Great value - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By J Swanson - October 1 - 2:20 am

  Quality and and reliability are above expectations. No problems to report to date, with heavy freeway miles.

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  Good crossover - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By vusford1 - September 29 - 3:59 pm

  The Cadillac SRX is a nice crossover SUV, that is often overlooked by people shopping in this price range, who often buy the Acura MDX. I really didnt want an MDX, becuase it is considered a "mommy- Mobile", so I chose the SRX. I am very impressed with it so far, it has great handling, a nice ride, and a very luxurious interior. The only demerits are a couple of squeaks from the cargo area, and some occasional wind noise

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  Beautiful but disappointing - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By jay657 - September 28 - 9:20 pm

  No doubt this Deville is gorgeous, fast and comfortable, but it would have been better if it was RWD. It is absolutely horrible for winter driving. It turns sideways when brakes are applied on snow cover roads. I cant figure out why it guzzles so much oil. The eternal "service engine soon" light is annoying. There is constantly some part that needs to be replace to make the engine light go out for a few weeks, then its right back on again. Im sorry to say it, but I have a love/ hate relationship with this car.

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  Segment Leader - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By xcesshp - September 26 - 12:19 am

  Purchased Dec06 about 17000 miles so far. Only 2 issues, battery died first month, and heated seats didnt work even though cooled function worked, both fixed without further incident. The interior is user friendly and car-like, exudes luxury, huge improvement over previous generation. Very comfy seats. AC strong and cold in 100+ temps. 11mpg mixed 19mpg highway. My particular truck doesnt suffer the excessive wind noise but did notice it on the loaner. Changing from a CLK55AMG overall pleased with the vehicle. No vehicle is perfect, everyone has different needs. For overall combination of size, power, handling, luxury and utility, this is currently the segment leader.

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  Noise- Not quiet ride inside - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Greg - September 24 - 4:22 pm

  I really enjoy the sporting look and feel of the car as it is very responsive with an excellent turning radius. However, the interior noise is annoying at speeds around 42-47 miles per hour you will hear a slight humming noise. I am going back for the second timeime to have this looked at. I am not happy about the noise level with the inside cabin ride. Just not up to standards of Cadillac.

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  Love the road - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By livlyfwell1 - September 23 - 9:13 pm

  The Cadillac DTS is a dependable car that is strong enough to caress any type of weather. There are enough sensors or more than enough to make you aware of whats going on with your car. I am satisfied enough to purchase the next one.

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  oh my god - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By ant519 - September 22 - 10:00 am

  great suv with great power and the roof is to die for.i got the v8 with lux preformance package.. bose sys a must

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  Finally an American car that can - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Gvic - September 19 - 1:03 pm

  First American car to buy, I would say impressed, but still years behind in technology from the rest of the world. It could be better if they could add basic techs stuff that cheap Japanese cars have, otherwise a fun car to drive and to look at. Hope the dealer stop calling me for extending warranty.

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  Great Road handling - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By MANNY B - September 18 - 8:12 pm

  This car hugs the road like its on rails. Amazing performance for a luxury car. Good power, firm yet comfortable ride. Superb Bose radio, XM and OnStar. Refined interior, sleek exterior.

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  Bad Luck - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By ggc - September 17 - 2:09 pm

  I had the misfortune of choosing probably the worst Escalade in the lot. When I see all these "10" ratings in performance form other customers, I just feel like crying. Just bought a 2007 Escalade. I always wanted to have a Cadillac. I had a Navigator before (which I loved ) but the new ones are so ugly.. The Escalade is so impresive and beautiful.. But is probably the worst ride I ever had...starting with the loud wind noise, busy and rough shifting and having to "step on it" to get some kind of speed. I regret this buy big time. Dealer cannot "reproduce" the problem. I wany my Chrysler Pacifica back!