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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  A Truly Terrific Car ! - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By MJLx2 - September 30 - 8:42 am

  This car has it all. GREAT styling inside and out, fantastic handling and outstanding build quality. Fun to drive quotient is off the charts! Ive driven my new CTS approx 2,200 miles in both suburban / expressway as well as an 800 mile highway driving. AWD glues the car to the road, yet provides a comfortable ride without sacrificing feel for the road. And, its a head turner to be sure. Not a creak, squeak or rattle - this car is tight! My previous car was a Lexus ES330 and before that an Acura TL. Before buying I test drove Acura, Lexus and BMWs. The CTS is by far and away the best vehicle in its class! Highly recommend the AWD and direct injection 304 HP options. Kudos Cadillac & GM!

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  classy daily driver - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By David S - September 30 - 8:31 am

  engine is a little noisy under full power, very comfortable on all day trips, very sharp turning radius, very good vision

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  Simply the Best - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By c77ward - September 26 - 3:31 pm

  Bought a Cadillac STS after trying all car makers, BMW, Mercedes, Acura and Went back home to the General. I am a car enthusiast and have owned over 20 cars in a 25 year time span. Cadillac has matched or beat the competition with the new sigma platform & V8 VVTI Northstar. For too many years, Auto magazines have prejudiced Car Buyers from buying American Luxury, I dare anyone serious about buying a top end luxury car with tons of bells and whistles and high end power to test drive this car. It can rival or beat any E or 5 series German Made Car with no match. 5.9 0-60 on my 2wd STS is comparable to the german made,and the Spec V is faster. The ride far surpasses anything they can muster.

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  Best Car I ever owned - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By debij - September 23 - 9:27 am

  Awesome Car, great interior, great gas mileage. couldnt be happier with Cadillacs new design

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  Esdcalade is the Best Car on the Road - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Tia Darrole - September 22 - 11:10 pm

  America makes the best car on the road. I love it. My kids love it. Guests love it. It just plain has every feature and true luxury. And all the features work well. This car is a pleasure. Much better than my old Lexus and Mercedes.

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  love it - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Mohamed - September 21 - 10:00 am

  it is the best itlooks good it handle great

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  Great Value, Lots of Fun - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By CTS GARY - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Have 1st 04 delivered in SW Florida. 3.6vvt is OUTSTANDING(plus it takes regular fuel). Sport package is stellar, ride firm but compliant. Lumbar support for 04 is welcome. The 48th new car Ive owned, this is the best overall for fun to drive plus luxury. Fit and Finish perfect. Quiet and solid. New(for 04)Mirror polished Sport Wheels are awesome. Traded a 2001 Aurora (that I liked VERY much)but the 04 CTS is in a different class entirely.Unqualified recommendation to anyone shopping this category.Great value.

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  cadillac has pride - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By o.johnson - September 18 - 4:05 am

  I purchased this auto with 45,000 miles. It was a rental with me being the first owner. I can tell you that I feel like this auto came just out of the showroom. I have owned 7 cadillacs and being almost 60 years old. I am impressed with my cts.

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  2nd Time Around! - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By scott - September 16 - 5:49 pm

  I consider myself a car guy and have an 02 540i black on black manual 6 speed. I love cars and research them in my spare time!?! I reluctantly leased an 04 Escalade ESV when the Chevy Suburban salesman tried to rob me! Unhappy at the time, but momma wanted it so 4 years later, we loved the truck so much we decided to buy it off lease and were heartbroken when GMC wouldnt negotiate. We looked at the Lexus and the Denali among others. Just today we bought an 06 Escalade and couldnt be happier! The others didnt have the ride, the comfort, reliability or the look! we feel like were home again!

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  Great Luxury, Performance, and Value - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By yatesd - September 12 - 7:33 am

  I compared to the 2009 Audi A4, BMW 328xi, Mercedes C300 AWD, and Lexus IS250 AWD. Actually drove them all at a test track. The CTS offers the space of a BMW 5 series at a better value.