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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  Excellent road car! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By William Rahner - July 24 - 9:13 pm

  I love the car! Despite negative reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, the only maintenance issue Ive had was the collapse of the two front shock absorbers, which the dealer immediately corrected. The vehicle has a wonderful ride and great handling characteristics, especially on the highway. Its quiet and comfortable, and the seats are firm and very supportive. My wife, who is not easily impressed with domestic makes, really loves it. Its been great on road trips, averaging 24 MPG on the highway. The Northstar V8, is considerably more thirsty Im told, but I dont miss the horsepower...the V6 is quite responsive. I recommend the car without reservation.

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  SRX - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Natalie Smith - July 24 - 7:30 pm

  The SRX is an outstanding vehicle to drive and to look at in the driveway. It has good power, a tight turning range, and is fun to drive. The extra large sunroof gives it the feel of a convertible without all of the road noise. It seems to be very tightly manufactured. I enjoy driving it as much as my Infiniti G35!

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  Great Road Trip Car... - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By Ko Venlo - July 24 - 12:05 pm

  The 2007 Cadillac SRX is a great car. It is fun to drive, with its good acceleration and handling. Its interior is nice for a family since it has leather on the seat areas and stronger materials on the doors. The basic stereo is all we need and it sounds awesome.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Gary - July 24 - 11:45 am

  My 2005 Cadillac SRX is the best vehicle I have ever owned! No other Crossover SUV is even close to the ride and comfort of my Cadillac SRX. I test drove the BMW and Benz before buying my SRX and the SRX is head and shoulders above the other two. Believe it or not this is the first American car that I have ever owned! Great job by Cadillac with this vehicle.

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  Excellent - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By cruserinsrx - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has only been in my possesion for a short amount of time but in this time I have had a wonderful driving experience. Car has a very solid feel to it and a smooth handling ability. The comfort of this vehicle is luxurious.

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  caddilac - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By tk200620 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  the suv handels well and has alot of power from the v8

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  Love it - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Judy Schilg - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I have had SUVs for the past 10 years. 2 chey blazers and my last one was an Envoy. My husband also had a Navigator a few years back. I was tired of the truck-like feel of the Blazer and I loved the Envoy. Thinking now that I wanted a car, I hated to give up the space of an SUV but I wanted more luxury and driving comfort and feel... Well the SRX does it all. It is sporty, comfortable, classy and has all the perks-- fully loaded!

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  Like Nothing else - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By J in Texas - July 21 - 2:00 am

  There are other vehicles that play in this niche, the SRX takes the best of all. It handles like the Germans, rides comfortable like the Japanese and goes like heck without punishing the occupants. The looks may me a love it or hate type of thing for many, it definitely stands out in the crowd. This may be the best domestic vehicle in quite a while and one that holds its head up high in any crowd.

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  Monster Truck - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By laoilfinder - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus LX 470 previously as my SUV.... I wouldnt trade my Escalade EXT for either of them! Just finished a 850 mile road trip from New Orleans to North Carolina... The truck is a road warrior.... Very comfortable and powerful... Average fuel economy at 85mph cruise on interstates was 15.5mpg... Comparable to my previous SUVs...Have XM radio...love it. Navigation...great. Installed aftermarket (looks factory installed) in-roof DVD player for my boys... This truck is a head turner and a joy to drive and own.

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  good car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By jtv - July 21 - 2:00 am

  over a good car fun to drive