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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  3.6 AWD SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By inline6 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This is the best put together vehicle we have ever purchased. No squeaks, rattles, even panel fit and great paint. Interior is a little plastic, but very attractive and comfortable. Bose stereo is outstanding. Car is not a muscle car with the V6, however the Northstar is not worth the additional $5000.00. Only complaint is the FE3 magnetic suspension is not available without the over the top 1SC package.

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  THE BEST SUV SO FAR! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By J.WEBER - April 3 - 2:00 am

  VERY COMFORTRABLE RIDE FOR A BIG SUV . MORE ROOM THAN MY FORMER LEXUS RX300.

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  A Winner - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By SayHey2 - April 1 - 7:10 pm

  Have owned 05 CTSw/ auto & PDX Sport Package for 5 weeks - MSRP 35640 - dealer price 31475. No serious complaints - fun to drive - actually does get the advertised 27mpg on highway - many unsolicited compliments on truly different and bold look - OnStar phone clear as can be, seats very comfortable.

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  Robs Cad SRX N*V8 - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By robhersch - March 31 - 3:42 am

  Selected 2005 SRX N*V8 after head-to- head driving comparison of V8 to V8 & 6 to 6 of Euro and Asian SUVs same day same on-road and off road course. Spec order to get RWD V8 w/my pref color, trim, tow/cooling pkg, and giant moonroof, no NAV or XM. Delivery Jan 2005, currently 15.5k mi. Radio and 6 CD changer caused digital trip reset was repl under warranty. Performance RWD V8-315 HP w/ 5 spd trans in city and on fwy ~comparable to 1999 FWD V8-300 HP Cad DeVille Concours w/ 4 spd trans SRX more agile, more responsive, more fun to drive, but ~10% less MPG. Declined dealer computer re-flash (not mfgr recall) after noting Cad Forum impacts on braking & performance. It also fits in my garage.

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  The last generation genuine Cadillac - 1995 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Arnold Ziffel - March 31 - 12:48 am

  Theres something to be said for riding down the road in your living room, and this car delivers. It is not overly technologically advanced, but for the wide open spaces in Texas its the perfect road cruiser. The Lt1 Covette inspired 5.7L (350) is spirited and responsive. The car is stunningly beautiful, and still spins heads at 12 years old. Its everything I ever wanted in my string of 9 Cadillacs, and Im very disheartened that GM is making nothing even remotely similar to it since production stopped in 1996.

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  ABSOLUTLEY AWSOME AND EXCELLET!!! - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By John E. - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I Love this truck and so does my wife and 13 and 8 yr. old daughters.

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  2000 Cadillac Seville - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By wdonnellon - March 28 - 3:36 pm

  Great car, reliable, super performance, engine is probably the finest and most efficient on the road today. Problems with a/c, climate control and tranny. After several returns to dealer and 3 yrs, finally got a/c repaired. Tranny? Not yet repaired.

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  Great experience - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Chuck - March 27 - 8:04 pm

  I just got back from a trip to Florida and the DTS exceeded my fondest expectations. The ride was great, fuel economy ok (22 mpg overall in 2600 highway miles and 1600 urban miles), and the XM radio simply fantastic. The only criticism was in figuring out the memory seat coordination with the keys. The interior room and trunk space was well appreciated for a 4 week trip. This is my 15th cadillac and I would buy another one in a heart beat.

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  Escalade EXT - 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Cheryl - March 26 - 1:53 am

  I was very lucky to have won my Cadillac Escalade EXT in the GM Hotbutton contest. I have found that the driving experience with the EXT has been nothing short of great. It will turn on a dime and I have found that when parking in tight spots it handles beautifully. If I were going to buy another vehicle I would seriously consider buying another EXT. The power of the engine will get you out and about without any hesitation. I have also noticed that in the year that I have driven it the gas mileage has increased substantially.

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  Brand New 2006 SRX - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By dctex99 - March 18 - 1:08 am

  I love everything about the SRX. I just bought a brand new leftover 2006 model at a great price. It handles well, gets a lot of looks, and I got a great price on it in early 07. I highly recommend it.