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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  Cadillac convert - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By DM - September 7 - 10:04 pm

  As a long time import owner, domestics were never high on my list. Ive owned several Nissan / Infiniti vehicles. Needed a larger vehicle for the family and to travel in. STS works perfectly everyone has room and the Caddy more than gets up. Pretty much every creature comfort available and rides quiet. By the way, Im way under 40 so the looks from the older Caddy owners are just great.

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  Excellent car for the well informed - 1991 Cadillac Allante
  By GFattore - September 7 - 7:43 pm

  Series II (1990.5 -1992) Allantes are the best value in a semi-exotic in the market. The Recaro seats have firm support and are not appreciated by the heavy-bummed gold-chained set. The handling improves dramatically by the fitment of contemporary tires and better brake pads. Fit and finish are exemplary. Make sure you bleed the Teves brake system annually. No Northstar, but much better interior materials than the 93 version. This is a very under-rated car and reliable if mundane Cadillac drivetrain. Buy one for the price of a used Ford, and enjoy the ride. Upgrade of sound system is mandatory.

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  Needs more trunk space - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Frank - September 1 - 9:36 pm

  Wow- Car gets the looks, I wish the wood grain would not scrach so easy. Fun to drive with top down. Radio needs better antenna, but sound is great.

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  Not a Real Standout. - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Ron - September 1 - 4:46 pm

  Ive had mine for 5 months with 5,000 miles on it. I like the car generally, for the reasons I purchased it - stand out design, performance. However, I think its a pretty average GM car in most ways. It lacks the "luxury" amenities you would find in other cars of this price range. For example, you get the same generic key fob as a Chevy Astro with no standard alarm or window roll down feature. And no locking fuel door? Are you kidding me? And while the performance is good, its nothing to write home about. Assembly is not that good either. Rear bumper cover feels loose, and the passenger doors have to be slammed to be shut properly. While these arent critical issues, this car can improve.

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  It did its job well - 1999 Cadillac Escalade
  By rwp - September 1 - 1:25 am

  I bought this vehicle used with approximately 40,000 miles on it. I was looking for a good family SUV with some luxury. That is what I got. Gas mileage is poor, but I knew that going in. The leather seats are great, sound system is BOSE need i say more, OnStar, and a rocking entertainment system with UHF/VHF antenna on rear side windows for local programming ( you dont see that anymore). Vehicle has required some work, but nothing serious, extended warranty covered it. In the end w/gas prices and increased drive to work it has become uneconomical to own. Would reccommend to anyone with short commute.

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  2005 Cadillac STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By gordon petry - August 30 - 4:35 pm

  We have had our 2005 Cadillac STS for less than two months but so far really love it except for the small glove box. This is our fourth one and we really love it. We had some problems with the carpet but my dealer and Cadillac renewed it. We hope to buy another one in a couple of years.

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  Love my Escalade AWD - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Happy Customer - August 29 - 10:10 pm

  I just baught a used 2003 Cadillac Escalade AWD. I love it. I have owned many cars and SUVs, from Lexus, Mercedes and many others. Not only does my Escalade look cool but it drives as good as it looks. I did put on 22" rims. Only problem with the wheels is the Escalade attracts alot of attention. Sometimes it can be unwanted attention but I wouldnt change a thing.

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  Katts car - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Kathy Spray - August 26 - 12:26 am

  My Cadillac SRX is the best car that Ive ever had for the instant go power. It accomdates the get up & go that I love to have. With all wheel drive and traction control combined with magnetic suspension the car really sticks to road in those tight curves. So many creature comforts that I cant remember them all. My SRX is the most powerful and fun car that anyone could want.

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  Good Ole GM - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By ooouch! - August 26 - 12:12 am

  GM had a recall on water pump and pulleys on this vehicle. At 44,000 miles this was done by my dealership. The failure occured at 61,000 miles. Cadillac said sorry for your luck but it is only warranted for 12 months. I think it would probably have lasted longer if they didnt do the "fix" (and then charged enough to do both repairs). Not a good marketing ploy. My wife wants a new Caddy but itll be an import now. Thank heavens for Japanese automakers.

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  My New Car Experience - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Ken - August 13 - 7:30 pm

  I have not gotten the performance or gas milage that I understood that I would get. I dont know what is wrong with my car but it is not the same car that is discribed in these reviews. It just does not measure up to other cars that I have owned.