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 SRX 8 - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Donald Anderson - April 26 - 8:10 am

  We got this as a demo with only 3500 miles on it, now has 8700. We have made two long trips with this car and found it to be extremely comfortable. It handles like a sports car and preforms excellent. However we have had to take it back for a stuck sunroof, rear washer quit, and to check the back up warning system. We also have a Mountaineer that is now a 2nd choice to drive auto. It has every option except AWD. In Atlanta not a necessary feature. Avg about 20 mpg through mountains driving from Atl to Detroit. Researched the SUVs throughly, this is the best choice!

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  Imports Beware! - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Queen - April 23 - 3:51 pm

  Driving this car is like a dream. I never imagined owning a Cadillac and when I bought this one, I was actually looking at the Mercedes E350. After driving this car, you cant even compare them. The Cadillac won hands down. I recommend anyone looking in the luxury class to seriously think about taking a test drive in the STS before making a decision. It will change the way you think and look at American made cars. The manager at the dealer told me if I just drove the STS, I may never drive anything else. I think he may be right!

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  Cadillac CTS with 3.6 liter engine - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Truegrit - April 16 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned; the drive and handling is suberb, the engine is peppy with ample horsepower to carry the weight and accelerate as needed. On a dollar-for-quality and performance basis, I dont think theres a Euro luxury sports sedan that can begin to compare with the CTS.

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  Excellent value - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By Bill - April 15 - 7:03 pm

  Had it for a week. My wifes vehicle. She Loves it. Tim, the owner of the Dealership, explained and oriented the vehicle for 45 minutes with my wife. She was very Impressed with the vehicle and the time put in to explain everything by Tim. We traded a Lexus LX-470 in on it. Got tired of 12.8 mpg and Premium Gas prices. The Cadillac gets 23-25 mpg in real world setting and uses regular gas. The build quality is equal to Lexus. Finally, Hats off to an American Vehicles

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  Awesome vehicle - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By bags - April 10 - 9:03 pm

  We traded in an 04 CTS and opted for the larger SRX. It really is an awesome vehicle. The power is strong throughout all the gears. If you didnt know it was a 6 cylinder, you would think it was an "8". Great ride, supportive seats The roof is fantastic. Quiet ride. Paint is top quality. Anyone thinking of a mid size SUV ought to give this one a look. Congrats to Cadillac. Mileage is mediocre, 4300 pounds is the reason.

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  New CTS Owner - 2007 Cadillac CTS
  By Sam - April 10 - 1:43 pm

  Driving is fun and car handles well. Like the Cadillac experience in terms of service - tops.

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  Exceptional Vehicle - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Mary Lou - April 9 - 6:00 pm

  This is the third Cadillac that I have owned and it is by far the best. I bought this car just prior to retirement as I planned to travel. I am so glad I did, it gives a comfortable ride and drive. I am handicapped and this vehicle lessens the difficulty of the trip. The lack of fuel efficiency is more than compensated for by the ride and superiority of the vehicle. I love this car.

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  Bug free for 2 years - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By kc - April 5 - 1:36 pm

  This is the first American car Ive purchased in 25 years and I cant believe it hasnt had a single bug or problem with it. This is a first in any car Ive ever owned! Used to Drive Lexus and BMW but ill stick with Cadillac since the car has been dependable and America needs my business.

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  Great car! - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Als car - April 4 - 8:47 am

  Wonderful, dependable, comfortable. A real example of what Detroit can do if necessary. Toyota cant compare to our luxury cars.

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  Standard of the World: 2005 STS V8 1SG - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By BenjaminSimon - April 3 - 2:28 pm

  I may only be 24 but this Caddy is one of the finest cars I have even been in. Sure a 7 series or S class is better, but I cannot afford those. I like how heads turn when I drive by. I have every factory option and I would have it no other way. I live in the south, so AWD is something that I did not want. AWD hurts both performance and gas mileage. Instead I got performance handling package. (It was a either/or option with AWD) The gas mileage is very average, but I did not buy this car to save money on gas. The MSRP was $63K+ and I would suggest buying used. I got mine 10 months old with 15K and saved huge money. Only been in the shop for software updates. Best value on the road for under $65K