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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  2nd Time Around! - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By scott - September 16 - 5:49 pm

  I consider myself a car guy and have an 02 540i black on black manual 6 speed. I love cars and research them in my spare time!?! I reluctantly leased an 04 Escalade ESV when the Chevy Suburban salesman tried to rob me! Unhappy at the time, but momma wanted it so 4 years later, we loved the truck so much we decided to buy it off lease and were heartbroken when GMC wouldnt negotiate. We looked at the Lexus and the Denali among others. Just today we bought an 06 Escalade and couldnt be happier! The others didnt have the ride, the comfort, reliability or the look! we feel like were home again!

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  Comments & Suggestions - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By SRX OWNER - September 15 - 2:00 am

  First, I love this car. Ride, handling and comfort are excellent. Navigations system is first rate and easy to use. It could stand some improvements. Why is there no glove box light or underhood light? Why is there no lumbar support or telescoping steering wheel in a fine car of this caliber?

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  Not what I expected from Cadillac - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By BillF - September 13 - 3:11 am

  My first and last Cadillac. Love the car but have had problems with it since it hit 10K miles (rear end 3 times, computer once, electrical and now fuel pump problems) Last experience it left me stranded (fuel sensor). Dealer didn’t do something right and had a major fuel leak after picking it up. Cadillac will not stand behind the car and I can’t even find the next higher person to talk to (Regional manager will not talk directly. Have to go through customer service and they will not give any information). Very disappointed and will never buy another one. And they wonder why the imports have taken over the market.

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  Great Luxury, Performance, and Value - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By yatesd - September 12 - 7:33 am

  I compared to the 2009 Audi A4, BMW 328xi, Mercedes C300 AWD, and Lexus IS250 AWD. Actually drove them all at a test track. The CTS offers the space of a BMW 5 series at a better value.

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  Old School Style - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By big dog - September 11 - 10:20 pm

  I found this car with less than 40K miles. Its old school style,a true cruiser. The V-8 power is great. Brakes and handling - NOT. A very comfortable and safe ride w/ style. If you can get one with under 80K miles its a steal. Just realize its a classic 1993 Cadillac.

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  15 year old rocket! - 1993 Cadillac Allante
  By roadrunner - September 11 - 9:24 pm

  This is my third allante. Owned a 93 in 94 and ex got that one. Then a 91 and finally again a 93. This is the only one to own if you enjoy performance. Earlier years were somewhat more reliable, but puny in performance. With nearly 300 horses at your command, you will surprise just about anyone thinking they can beat you. But, even better, is that this car was the flagship of Cadillac in 93 and earlier years. Body by PinaFarina of Italy and drive train from an Eldorado. It still has features that most cars dont and can stand up to just about anything you put up against it off the line. But, the Northstar engine has a number of issues that could cost you a bundle. Good ones are gre

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  Jury still out - getting concerned - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Steve - September 11 - 4:38 pm

  I purchased this vehicle in February right off the showroom floor. Great fun to drive, sharp looks. I wanted the wood trim interior and the large sunroof. The car is very smooth on the road and handles well since it is rear wheel drive. Interior space is a bit tight. Storage cubbyholes and trunk space are spare. Quality issues have come up. Two weeks after the purchase the steering went out (fluid leak around the rack) - that was in the shop for two more weeks getting fixed (free loaner, thankfully). Just today the radio went out. I have the high end radio (no nav) with the 40 GB HD. The radio now only picks up AM intermittently. I am a little worried and even considering trading.

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  Cadillac Lover - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Timothy Wheeler - September 9 - 9:13 am

  My dad bought me this Cadillac DeVille last year as my first car. I had wanted one since I was 6 years old. we bought the car and the very next day a radiator fan motor bearing went out, it cost almost $700 dollars to fix. since then I have heard popping sounds in the steering and it has stalled twice. the car has 44000 miles on it. I would still recommend buying a car like this, because the comfort and looks outweigh the problems. Its a great car

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  Airola - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By aloan4u - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Great looking, great for business, fun to drive, lots of luxury. I wish I had more immediate power and a little better milage. Overall the trade off is worth it.

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  My First Caddy - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Charles Blyer - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!