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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  Der Mighty Opel - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Merckx - March 7 - 2:17 pm

  What a checkered past this car has had. GM has been forced to give them away-mine was a little over $10,000 off list. So any problems pale in comparison. Its a real joy to drive-really pleasantly stiff steering. Everything has that satisfying German "thunk" to their operation. I could heartily recommend this car,if there are any left on the lots. so far,it has been magnificient!

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  2007 Caddy Escalade EXT - 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Steve - March 6 - 1:46 am

  I have bought two new Escalades. An 02 and an 04, but I have to tell you, Cadillac out did themselves with the 07s. This truck drives and handles like you cannot believe. The dealer gave me a new Escalade SUV to drive until my EXT came in two weeks later. It drove fantasticly as does my EXT. The driving experience is night and day between the earlier models and the redesigned 07. This is my first EXT and it is a blast. I have been given a lot of "nice truck" comments with the SUVs, but man they are coming fast and furius with the EXT...heads turning every which way. Only bad thing...I paid full list for the EXT. Ouch! Well to be the first on the block I guess you have to pay to play...lol.

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  Escalades are Great - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By SS - March 5 - 12:50 am

  My Escalade is a great overall improvement over previous SUVs. AWD, 345 HP, much better Stereo, agile handling in snow & rain, very good storage space, and in summary a world-class SUV that I plan to drive for at least five years. SS

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  2002 DeVille DHS Rating - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By wpritch - March 2 - 7:25 pm

  ACCELERATION IS VERY SMOOTH & ONLY HINTS AT ITS 275 HP. TRANSMISSION SHIFTING IS INVISIBLE. EXCELLENT BRAKING & PRECISE STEERING BUILD CONFIDENCE. IT TOOK ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO FEEL A PART OF THIS CAR. QUIET, COMFORTABLE INTERIOR. GREAT AUDIO SYSTEM. IT HAS AN INFORMATION DISPLAY THAT PROVIDES EVERYTHING YOU WOULD NEED TO KNOW. IN BRIEF, IT DOESNT LACK MUCH AT ALL.

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  Fun to drive. - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By bballpuck - March 2 - 3:45 pm

  This 300 horsepower vehicle is the most fun to drive car Ive ever owned. Forget my wifes Lexus, this car is better!

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  Service Engine Soon light is finally off - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By gneu - March 1 - 8:31 am

  Bought a brand new 2002 Cadillac DTS in October of last year, and the car is finally running properly. Apparently, the factory installed catalytic converter wasnt processing the exhaust properly. Also, the "traction control" light would not turn off. One last problem -- the overhead reading lights would not shut off, ever. All of these problems occurred after the car was driven off the lot. Even with all these problems, this car is an absoulte pleasure to drive.

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  Concours is hard to beat - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By chuckd - March 1 - 1:42 am

  The 99 Concours is the 2nd one ive owned in 2 yrs. Both were top notch vehicles in the way of confort and performance. The supprising thing about this Caddy is the fuel economy. I averaged just under 26 mpg on the open road.For a 300hp northstar thats pretty fair. One complaint is the the pull on steering during quick accelerations. Otherwise the Concours is a pleasure to drive. Its not your grandaddys caddy

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  great white shark - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By ken - February 28 - 3:52 am

  The car looks and performs great.The Northstar V8 can really move this 4000lbs vehicle(0-60 in 6.4sec and 1/4 mile in 14.7sec).This vehicle is an excellent used vehicle purchase due to the high depreciation but make sure to have your prospective purchase checked out at your local Caddy dealer before you buy. My car was maintained by the book and is still under warranty but maintenance can be very expensive if you buy a lemon. Be careful

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  Good Car - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By Cadillac Driver - February 27 - 3:46 pm

  I purchased the vehicle new. The ride and performance are outstanding. The car is beautiful. My only complaint is excessive (for a Cadillac) wind noise.

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  2001 Catera review - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By skubik - February 26 - 6:13 pm

  I bought my Catera in October of 2001 the deal I got combined with 0% financing for 5 years was too good to refuse. Overall Im happy with my Catera. Its cleanly styled both inside and out, and my car is tightly and solidly built. Power is strictly average considering the cars weight, but for routine driving its fine. Handling is quite good, and the seating is roomy and very comfortable. Ive had two or three minor problems, but nothing major over the cars first 5,000 miles.