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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  All around great car! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Cooper - February 24 - 10:43 pm

  We bought this vehicle used, and were very leery at first (not knowing the history). This car has been nothing but dependable and fun! Great gas mileage, too! Plus, by purchasing used, we have a lower monthly car payment, lower car insurance, and lower personal property taxes. The 2003 model still looks like the later models. Plus, it is American made! This car is a win-win situation for us! We would highly recommend this car (2003 CTS) to anyone.

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  From a 2004 to a 2008 - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By Tom - February 24 - 9:16 am

  Purchased a 2004 SRX and loved it. Considered Lexus, BMW, Lincoln, but went back to an SRX. My wife drives this car almost exclusively but when I drive it is a pure joy. Driving from N.E. Pa to Chicago is not a chore but a great experience.

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  Fun to Drive - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By thecadillacdude - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely fun to drive with Cadillac Style and Comfort; yet remarkably agile. Transmission shifting is seemless. Navigation is great once you get used to it. Dont get one without the two row sunroof.

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  I love my cady - 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By mancuusa - February 21 - 11:23 pm

  Hi readers...i had a bmw525 07 and for obvious economical reasons i had to go down on budget, but i didnt wanted to loose the confort and prestige i had. I picked the Escalade since its well knowing and its American! 05 with 60k miles on it...no regrets at all!!

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  After 2months and one 1600 mile trip! - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Skip - February 20 - 12:01 pm

  I traded in a small economy car with no extras except power steering and brakes. My wife drives a 2004 RX330, so I do own something to compare the CTS to. The CTS was purchased during the red tag sale. I have never been more satisfied with a auto purchase. The price was right and the salesman and dealership are right up there with the Lexus dealerships that I have had experience with. The engine is a dream, the ride is super, the handling is excellent, including a tight turning circle. My wife and took a 1600 mile trip over a three day period (24 MPG). 700 miles each day going and coming back. We were never tired and had a ball learning to use XM, nav and OnStar. I love this car!

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  Warranty the best Suv is amazing - 2013 Cadillac SRX
  By Cc - February 20 - 2:22 am

  Have always had a sedan, tried the suv and gell in love. Plus got an extended bumper to bumper warranty thru their certified program for up to 6 yrs and ip to 100000 miles

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  What an awesome suprise! - 2008 Cadillac SRX
  By ABO - February 18 - 4:46 pm

  As my lease is ending on my 2008 BMW 528I and after driving both Mercedes and BMW for the better part of 10 years..I decided to go American. The SRX that I bought (not leased) is Black on Black 20"chrome wheels, Vogue grille, Nav, panoramic sunroof and more. It drives like a car and has the room I need for weekend trips to Home Depot. I cant believe that I enjoy this vehicle as much as I do, but it truly delivers the best of both worlds.

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  9th Cadillac - 2008 Cadillac DTS
  By caddyclassic - February 18 - 8:04 am

  My 9th Cadillac is the best one Ive owned. Im old, but I still want the luxury with performance, the Northstar still amazes me, even after three of them. Wind noise of past cars has been minimized. If you are a long time buyer, this could be the cheapest car to own.

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  No more imports for me - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Acuranomore - February 16 - 7:15 pm

  I got the AWD DI w/premium option pkg. Performance, technology and luxury that competes well with the German and Japanese lines. I was very surprised when I first test drove the CTS and was sold almost immediately, but I did the requisite amount of research and became even more impressed as my knowledge of features increased and did side-by-side comparisons with the competition. Also, the dealers are entertaining at or below "invoice" offers (in addition to the factory rebates) while the Japanese car dealer smug mugs still have the gall to talk sticker price! I really think Cadillac has made a good come back. I will update this review in about 6 mos.

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  Applause Well Deserved - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Bill - February 15 - 8:30 pm

  Have owned Audi, Jag, Acura, and Infiniti. The 2008 CTS has them all beat in terms of overall performance and comfort. Averaging 2,000 miles per month of combined city/hwy driving with overall fuel economy of 22 mpg on reg gas. AWD has handled the lake effect snow in Buffalo with no problem and highway driving is more fun and just as comfortable as a Q45.