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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  Very Fun to Drive - 1993 Cadillac Seville
  By beringsea56 - February 19 - 3:15 am

  The northstar engine has plenty of power to pass cars on the freeway or just when getting around town My down side has been the 3rd gear selonoid went out and the waterpump had to be replaced other than that Id buy one again my car is black on black paint

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  I Love it-) - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Hope Hill - February 18 - 10:42 am

  I traded my 2004 SRX for the 2010 SRX. My! What a difference! They improved everything. It doesnt even look like the same car. I love the in your face grill. It says look at me! My SRX is black with black interior. Its so sleek. Cant wait to take it on vacation!

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  My Favorite Thing - 1993 Cadillac Allante
  By John Edwards - February 17 - 2:42 pm

  It is like a magic carpet ride. Performance is more than adequate and you will get many positive comments about its styling. With the current depressed pricing for this car, it is an excellent value for an occasionally used second or third car.

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  Great Car - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By JD - February 16 - 5:00 pm

  This is my first STS had a Toyota Avalon and really there is no comparison.This is so much more car in every respect, it is definitely not boring which is about the best thing I can say about the Avalon. I have the Northstar V8 it is fast. Love the interior except for the glove box.Nav works well and the AWD is great in snow and ice. I use the voice features to do almost everthing for me. I do not like the 2 different size tires. The fact that it is hard on tires is about my only complaint. Like all the bells and whistles more than you know you have.

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  Another oil burner - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By franko97 - February 16 - 8:12 am

  I agree with Dawna - bought the car used, goes through 5 qts every 3000 miles or so. Engine bucked on acceleration. Dealer charged me $100 to reflash the ECM which (unknown to me) was under recall and should have been free. Now it wont start and service airbag light is on. Center column plastic is peeling. Will never buy another Cadillac .

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  Better Mileage Than Advertised - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Tess - February 12 - 8:46 pm

  I consistently get 18-20 mpg :) Wish newer Cadillacs were as comfy as the older models. Had a 2002 and from the handle grip above the passenger seat, to the arm rests for front passengers, to the soft comfortable seats - it was superior to the 2007. 2007 should have had an Mp3/Ipod connection as standard equipment. The 22 inch tires do not provide as good of a ride, though they do look nice. A little better shock/suspension system would an help offset that.

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  2010 Escalade - "Long in the Tooth" - 2010 Cadillac Escalade
  By htsmd - February 12 - 4:07 pm

  My 3rd Esc AWD - 03, 08, 10. Selling features on this one were Magnetic ride control, active fuel mgmt (4/8 cyl), front side airbags standard. RE the ride control - only thing I notice is slightly faster transmission of road variation. It certainly a more "euro" feel, frankly out of place in such an SUV as this. Active fuel mgmt is a total joke - I got better mileage with my 08 (but, only 500 miles so far in this one). And guess what? No more rain sensing wipers and no more heated washer fluid (Im from Wyoming - needed that hot washer fluid!). Theres more, but the crowning blow came when transferring OnStar - you cant keep your old number!!

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  No Spare - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By No Spare - February 12 - 8:18 am

  I was thinking about buying the AWD version, and I test drove one. I like the car, but when the salesman pointed out that a spare tire was not available. I walked away in disbelieve. For me the SRX is an unacceptable vehicle until they add a spare tire. Where I live this could have a very grave consequence.

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  I tried to love it... - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Julie - February 11 - 11:50 pm

  When I first saw this car, I immediately fell in love with the design. The sunroof is amazing, the shape of the car and body style is beautiful... but thats where it ended for me! I have only owned this car for 6 months, but it has been in the shop over 10 times for various expensive repairs... new cat converters, new air ride suspension, 2 new power steering columns, various wiring issues, new spark plugs and coils... it has cost us thousands in repairs, not to mention the hassle of dropping it off at the shop approx every 2-3 weeks! This is definitely not the quiality a cadillac should be!

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  Still Proving Itself to Me - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Nate1431 - February 10 - 4:57 pm

  I ordered my feel w/ navigation in October 2009 and just received the SRX 3 weeks ago. I traded a 2006 Lexus RX 330 for this vehicle the styling inside and out is what sold me as I was sick of seeing the RX everywhere I went in my town. Acceleration is definitely lacking, but I was aware of that after my test drive, but other performance made up for it. I am in the midwest and we have had a ton of snow and ice the last few weeks and the SRX has handled it much better than RX 330 did. I was concerned about quality going from a Lexus to GM my navigation touch screen already has a crack in it. I also wish I would have gone with 20" tires.