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:

• 

  Performance! - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Nice Guy 568 - March 3 - 5:07 pm

  Cadillac SRX is an excellent cross over SUV compare to Volvo X90. The price can be reasonable if you know your budget, what are you looking for a Cadillac.

• 

  Like it, but..........Yeah we like it ! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Mini Fins Fan - March 3 - 12:10 pm

  The fit and finish are great, with one exception. The drivers outside mirror is loose. Otherwise everthing is fine. Checked out Lexus RX and BMW X5. Bang for your buck has to go to Cadillac. This car is great, ride is a little stiff, but it pays off whenever you want to enjoy some spirited driving. Test drove the 3.0 and to be honest, it was verrrry poky. Waited and test drove the 2.8 turbo. What a difference. Like night and day. Unfortunately, it uses only premium fuel. I thought that maybe I could sneak in some regular now and again, but that is not the (recommended at least) case. The interior is fantastic and the Cadillac exterior design is unmistakably attention grabbing.

• 

  2010 Cadillac SRX - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Eyedoc164 - March 2 - 5:57 pm

  Got a 4 mos pull ahead to get out of my H3 lease. Connecting the dots needed a GM produce, AWD with a decent lease product. Connecting the dots, there was only one option, the SRX. Did my hw on the web, and again all dots led to this crossover. When US News rated it # 3 luxury midsize SUV, it wasa done deal. Dealer asked me if I wanted a test drive, saw the list of quality trucks it rated higher then, and said not necessary! With 4 lexus suvs at every red red light, the styling here is REFRESHING!. Great style, great workmanship, great attention to detail, was concerned about the reviews that stated engine was underpowered, not an issue for me, came from a HUMMER! Overall very pleased

• 

  love hate relationship - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By harry - March 2 - 4:44 pm

  I loved this car but it gave me alot of trouble. This was my first car bought for 2500 with 93000 miles. I went over a year with radiator fan, winshield wipers, and heat in Minnesota. One day it would run like a dream the next it would barely get to 70. I really didnt want to get rid of it but needed something more reliable to go to college with. List of things that didnt work: front struts, ac, heater core, heater fan, interior lights and gauges flicker, went through three batteries one started on fire, tranny slipped, 6 fuel injectors went out, remote trunk release, radiator fan so i couldnt idle more then 3 min, windshield wiper arm broke, rear window defroster, very uneven tire wear.

• 

  Love it so far! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By KY Woman - March 1 - 8:37 pm

  The styling of this vehicle is amazing. There are SO many boring cars out there. This crossover turned my head from the moment I first saw it. I just love it. I had to rate reliability in order to submit my review, but my opinion after only 1 month of ownership isnt very informative.

• 

  Best car I ever owned! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By GolfKahuna - February 23 - 7:34 pm

  Bought my CTS used with 46000 miles. It is my daily driver so I am racking up the miles on it. I have the 3.6L V6 and the performance is out of this world! Traction in the snow has been great with the Goodyear Triple Treads. My plan is to put 1 million miles on this thing!

• 

  radio problems - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By John - February 23 - 2:09 pm

  Had just bought 2010 Cadillac SRX had only 3 Days radio goes dead blinkers do not light up on interior dash no noise with blinkers on, all the lights in radio console dark. First time diagnostic check showed no problems So i took car back. One week later car did same thing. Mileage on car less than 400 miles. Srx still in shop can not find problem.

• 

  That Caddy - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By inkpimp1981 - February 22 - 8:14 pm

  For all the Cadillac fans out the who really appreciate their luxury car, you need to test drive one of these suckers. They move like no other, and sped pass a BMW 74Li. Thats a Lac!!!

• 

  Great Sports Sedan - 2010 Cadillac CTS
  By inlets - February 21 - 8:59 am

  I tested a bunch of high end/high tech sports sedans and the CTS just has so much more bang for the buck, than the BMW or Lexus. I got a brand new CTS Premium for $7k of MSRP, and $2k more for my trade than it was worth. Performance is outstanding, tight and very agile. Front seat are very comfy and good support. The back is a little snug. 5.1 Bose sound system is sthe best great sound and lots of power for classic rock. Nav worked flawless touch screen or voice command, even Onstar downloads to your destination when you on the fly. Fit and finish is flawless. Rock solid ride.

• 

  the true american luxury automobile - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By AI - February 20 - 3:26 pm

  i recently purchased this 1999 deville concours with 73000 mi on it so far it is a blast to drive and very comfortable and quiet,i have driven mbs,lexus,infinity and bmers this car is equal to and even surpasses them as far as build, fit and finish and ride and performance this is the true american luxury automobile. i am sold and a convert from foriegn to american congrats cadillac.