This study aimed to explore the differences of cadmium stress response in the different maize varieties seedling stage and screen out varieties with strong cadmium tolerance. The four maize hybrids Jingnongke728, Zhengdan958, Zhengda999 and Yudan9953 were selected in this study. Through laboratory hydroponics, they were treated with cadmium stress(6 mg/L CdCl2?2.5H2O). The growth indexes and physiological indexes of four maize varieties at seedling stage were detected and analyzed after 3, 6, 9 and 12 days of cadmium stress, and the comprehensive evaluation of cadmium tolerance was carried out using principal component analysis and membership function method. The results showed that the root length, plant height, dry and fresh weight and total chlorophyll content of the seedlings of the four varieties after cadmium stress were lower than those of the control(distilled water treatment), and the POD activity and MDA content of leaves and roots of Yudan9953 were higher than those of the control during the whole stress process. Under cadmium stress, Yudan9953 decreased significantly in plant height, root length and dry weight compared with other varieties, but its fresh weight was less affected, and its leaf MDA content increased less and POD activity was strong. The comprehensive evaluation results of cadmium tolerance showed that the cadmium tolerance of Yudan9953, Jingnongke728, Zhengda999 and Zhengdan958 weakened sequentially, and Yudan9953 could be cultivated as a cadmium-tolerant variety.