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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  CTS meet expectation - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By E Lucas - April 18 - 11:38 pm

  This particular model is great-looking, easy and very comfortable to drive. Id get the larger engine only if needed. Its a nice riding auto!

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  Smooth As Silk - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By CDR - April 17 - 10:26 am

  This car is the nicest ride around for the money. The power of the Northstar engine may surprise some people and the interior is as plush as it gets. It handles well for a car of its size. The monochrome paint job gives the car a sleek, sophisticated look. You cant go wrong with black on black.

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  Cadillac - The American Standard - 1990 Cadillac Brougham
  By Caddy Boy - April 16 - 10:54 pm

  I am 17, since I was about 7 this car has always been in my mind, as a car I want to drive! After owning a Lincoln Town Car, I saw this car on the lot, and I had to have it. Mechaically it its a dream. Gas consumption...well thats a differnt story. But the style and beauty make up for it. It starts up every morning. It needs basic work. Mine has low miles at 83,000, but they are supposed to last.

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  2.5 Quarts of Oil Every 1,500 Miles - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By edwin hall - April 12 - 7:57 pm

  I love my car, except it has burned oil ever since I got it. Also, the headlights only work when they want to. Everything else works, light-wise. The air conditioner does not work. The front grill underneath the hood is falling down. I dont like how I have to use premium gas either. I get 18-19 miles per gallon. This car has a great stereo.

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  Improving But Still Not There - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Alan Ross - April 10 - 12:15 pm

  Cadillac has done a nice job of restyling the Escalade but unfortunately they have a way to go to beat their Japanese competitors. The outside is beuatiful and the inside looks good but looks can be deceiving. There is almost no storage room in the back, the rear windows only open part way, the sideboard windows not at all. The upgraded stereo is marginal and little things like the cuip holders are still cheap and not what you would expect on a vehicle at this cost. Gas mileage to date is terrible, around 11- 12 miles per gallon in mixed (city/hiway) traffic. There are a number of rattles in the vehicle as well. All things considered, I would have expected more from a vehicle at this price.

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  Great Car - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By tom marino - April 5 - 10:02 am

  The 2005 Cadillac CTS rides great and looks great. It needs better tires though. The Goodyears that mine came with had to be replaced at 18,000 miles.

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  Collectable for sure! - 1993 Cadillac Allante
  By William - April 4 - 4:30 pm

  I have had 3 Allantes since they came out, a 1987, 1990, and a 1993. The 93 is a fantastic vehicle. Its fast, fun, and great all year long. I would be happy if the car was still being built...meanwhile, it a great daily rider and a good collectable.

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  Fun and comfortable car - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Boomdog - March 30 - 9:12 pm

  The Cadillac CTS is a fun car to drive, very comfortable as well. It handles very well. You can drive this car like a traditional Caddy, or turn it on and drive it like a sports car.

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  Not as good as expected - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Richard Balling - March 28 - 3:36 pm

  The engine in my Cadillac SRX is noisy on acceleration. It whines like a car trying to shift out of first gear. Also, there is not enough room in the back seat (second seat). It has a very stiff ride.

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  CTS lives at the shop! - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Zldjan - March 27 - 4:21 pm

  This car has been nothing but problems from the day I received it. It has had problems with its electrical system, transmission, clutch, alignment, differential, driveshaft, tires, interior trim, you name it. I have had to make multiple trips to the dealer to get the same problem fixed. Me and the rental guy at Enterprise car rental are now on a first name basis At this point I have gotten GM customer service involved and I am hoping they come through and do the right thing. This is my first GM and so far IÂ’m not so impressed with the quality, but the car is sexy and it has helped me meet some wonderful people in the towing and car rental industries.