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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  Why do you think they call it Cadillac? - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By CadillacCabman - June 3 - 5:36 pm

  I am a fair-sized man about 6ft-240lbs and I have a tall torso. Not every car fits me. It has more acceleration, more creature comfort, and more highway stability than any automobile I have owned. However, the flagship Mercedes-Benz is my absolute favorite this DeVille is a better value dollar- for-dollar-bang-for-the-buck. Yeah. DeVille stinks on initial resale, but I knew that going into this purchase. This is why I buy off-lease, certified Deville’s. I travel 65000+- annually and would love to have the fuel economy of a Toyota Prius. However, that is the only improvement I can think of for my 2004 Deville DHS. Nonetheless, I still get about 27 mph- highways, 23 mph-overall and it runs just f

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  FUNTASTIC! - 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By franc - May 31 - 7:30 am

  This truck is very beautiful. It makes people stare. They come up to you in parking lots and gas stations to comment on the beauty. I have a 2006 Cadillac STS V8 fully loaded and it has been parked since I got the Escalade. I am 65" and this truck has ample leg room and head room. It also has a great ride. I am looking forward to a road trip in the spring. This truck is beautiful, versatile, and powerful. I would recommend the 2007 to anyone.

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  2008 CTS all options - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By wacojohnny - May 30 - 12:30 pm

  Well I also picked up my cts. It came in with everything including the wood wheel and shifter. I waited till now to write this because after a 1000 miles I have a clear picture of its performance. I have not found anything wrong with this car. It was ordered with every option AWD,DI,89U, spoiler, this without a doubt the most enjoyable car I have ever owned. The moonroof is great (here in NYC) the handling fantastic, the bose sound system and the HDD are great. No negatives at all. Great work Cadillac. The American car is back!

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  Owner - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By David - May 30 - 10:19 am

  I bought this car with 19000 miles on the car. Ive owned this car since 1999, and its never given me any problems. I did replace the A/C a few years back. Nothing more serious than that. The gas mileage is great, and I would not hesitate driving this car coast to coast today. My car now has 119000 miles on it.

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  awesome ultra fine classy car - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By ultrastark - May 30 - 2:32 am

  owning and especially driving this beauty are an absolute pleasure, yea there is the odd glitch here and there such as the interior shud be a bit more prestigous. the 320 hp is awesome they shud have made it a 360hp or so but the 320hp is superfine. sound system is beyond prestige. it handles like a sports car born on the track. what a sweet ride u built it right this time caddy, the headlight and light system mated to the front fascia is a designers showpiece.

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  I LOVE my CTS - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Rhonda T - May 29 - 6:18 pm

  Ive only owned my CTS for a month, but Ive been in love with this car since the 2008 model appeared on the market. The car is a joy to drive, wonderful ride, lots of power, all that I could ask for.

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  FINALLY GOOD CONSTRUTION!!! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By ALFRED GREEN - May 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd caddy and I always felt they needed to be more tightly fitted. This cts has a good solid feel. Not as much fun to drive as my 99 Eldorado though. If maintenance wont become a problem then Cadillac has a winner.

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  wife should have gotten another Expediti - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By RJ - May 27 - 7:19 pm

  First of all, still no fold flat third row seats, primitive!!! fill er up every 4 to 5 days small gas tank, and premium fuel. good power, seems smaller than 04 expedition which rode and handled better, went a week and half on full tank. seems to shake. oh yeah ladies with two rows of captains chairs never go shopping with more than 4 people. No room behind the third seat. Stuck now should have went with a nav L.

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  Its Just a Pretty Face - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Mad from Beantown - May 27 - 2:53 pm

  Bought the car new in October 08 and just traded it in. This car was in the shop more than it was in my driveway... from rattles and squeaks to engine lights and a replaced transmission... the car looks great - but build quality is very poor. And GM/Cadillac apologized but were unwilling to step up and make it right (I repeatedly requested a replacement vehicle and I didnt want to go through the lemon law - nor should I have had to with this "flagship" product). I wanted to buy a GM with this purchase to help the cause... but they did nothing to reward my loyalty. Very disappointing all around. The car did look good while I had it!

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  Classic American Big Car - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By ends and odds - May 27 - 10:47 am

  It used to be that all big cars rode and handled like this - including Buicks and Mercurys. Now you have to spend $45K to get that feeling back - shame. Anyway - love my Caddy - a couple of reliability quirks including window and heated/cooled seat problems but they were all covered under the decent warranty. GMs OEM Brakes still stink too but thats easily improved once changed out. Exceptional comfort, safety, security and power are what this great family sedan is all about. Recommended.