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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  so far, so good - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By D. Johnson - January 28 - 6:10 pm

  This vehicle caught our eye in October of last year. Its exterior made a statement that we liked. The interior hit the spot,too...A lot of creature comforts there. Prior to purchase,we searched for reviews, giving more weight to people who actually *bought* the vehicle. Some who bought the Performance SRX said the ride (on 20-inch wheels)was too stiff and they wish theyd purchased the Luxury with the 18-inch wheels. We decided the Luxury SRX met our needs. We like the ride,feel and handling. Its too soon to rank its reliability...Ill have to get back to you on that.

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  Very satisfying, but not without issues. - 1996 Cadillac Deville
  By Darkness - January 28 - 6:56 am

  I purchased this vehicle with 26,600 miles in September 20009. Previous car was a 2004 Mitsubishi Galant. My particular example has had some issues. Two weeks after purchase, engine started misfiring but only at under 5 MPH. Replaced plugs, wires, etc. didnt fix it. At this point Ive gotten used to it and dont want to put more money into it. Keyless entry stopped working for no reason. The car gets poor fuel economy (probably related to the misfire), around 10 in the city and 19 on the highway. Still, this is a very satisfying car to drive. Plenty of power and space for 5 adults (front center position is a squeeze). Trunk is immense.

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  First Cadillac - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By JLT - January 27 - 8:39 am

  My husband had been trying to get me to buy a new car, but I really loved my 99 Grand Am, and the appearance of the new cars did not appeal to me. Besides that, the Grand Am was the first new car that I ordered just the way I wanted it! But, even though the CTS is a used car, it beats the Grand Am hands down in almost all categories. Comfortable, easy driving, nice appearance, lots of amenities, could have better gas mileage, but overall, a really nice car. I am not sorry that we bought this car, especially since it is American made.

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  SRX after two weeks of ownership - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By BMW Car Club Member - January 26 - 4:47 pm

  Current vehicles: BMW 7, Porsche Boxster, Honda Odyssey, Acura TL. I got the SRX to have an AWD, midsize SUV to replace the BMW. Never thought Id get the Caddy. Rented one for 1 week to make sure I liked it. Options are great. Love the NAV, Weather reports, 40 gig hard drive. Nice interior. On the road, it feels very stable, quiet, very German. With curves it feels like a truck. My only wish is for more power. The 265 hp is adequate but with such low torque, the SRX never feels that fast. Took the car in today for a minor problem, they gave me a CTS with 3.6 L engine. Wish they put it in the SRX. With 3 yr lease, maybe theyll upgrade eng in time for my new one.

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  Outstanding All-Around Family Vehicle - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Leonard - January 26 - 12:12 pm

  I was a little concerned about buying a used SRX, having read about many owners negative experiences. However, after driving this car once I knew it would be ours. This is a spacious and comfortable SUV-wagon-crossover- whatever but it drives like a sport sedan! Im a big guy that is used to driving a new full-sized Chevy pickup, but the SRX fits me like a glove. After putting a few thousand miles on the car and a couple long rides hauling both people and cargo, I have to admit there isnt much more I could ask for. The V6 is surprisingly powerful, quick-revving, and can deliver decent MPG if you behave yourself. For a used AWD luxury vehicle, this was an amazing value.

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  My First Cadilliac! - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By 99Caddi.Girl - January 24 - 4:11 am

  I just love my 99 Catera Sport!!! It hugs the road and takes the turn just fine like a GM car should. The inside is luxury with the heated leather seats and easy to reach controls. I have no complaints so for except for the storage area upfront. Not enough room for cell phones or anyother stuff. And the cupholder really should be inside of a console. Being all said....I just love my new baby!!!!

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  Lousy Quality - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By kolber - January 21 - 4:51 pm

  I bought 2005 SRX for my wife who always wanted a caddy. I also owned 2006 STS at same time. Have had many problems over and over again with with electronics with car. Now timing chain has broke according to my local garage due to low oil pressure. Since buying this caddy I traded in my STS due to poor quality with all the gadets in the car. The SRX is a great example of nice car not built well. Engine makes lots of noise, and uses oil. When you buy a cadillac you expect a car above the rest! I have owned at least five different cars over past few years and will NEVER buy another cadillac again new or used. Im now waiting on GM to see if they will take any responsiblity for poor quality car

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  fun to drive - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By red white - January 21 - 12:54 pm

  I really enjoy driving this car as I dont personally feel like I need gobs of horsepower or torque because as I mature (older) I tend to put less emphasis on performance as opposed to comfort, reliability, and upscale features. If you purchase the srx with the standard 3.0 liter engine its important to remember that performance is not what you will get. I was pleased with the way the car handled (we travelled to Florida 1585 miles) and the fact that I wasnt the least bit fatigued after driving for 27 hours with on nights rest. Visibility not as overly compromised as some reviewers have said it was, as I found it easy to adjust to because of the large exterior mirrors

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  Happy to finally buy american - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By HappyCTSOwner - January 20 - 4:08 pm

  i love this car. Have been a japanese fan for over 30 years becuase they built better cars but i can say that this car is built better than my Lexus. No problems to report after 9 months. Im real happy about that:)

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  Not much power, youre paying for luxury - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Annette - January 19 - 7:48 am

  This review is based on a rental for two weeks while my Mitsubishi was in the body shop. The bottom line is that you are paying for the "toys" in this vehicle rather than performance. I expected a vehicle priced this high should have some pep when it comes to the gas pedal. Its pretty sluggish when it comes to shifting. In automatic mode, it was revving at 4500 rpms before it shifted into 3rd gear. You are basically paying for the goodies & gadgets inside the vehicle. Is it really worth it or would you rather have good performance?