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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  Happy Owner - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Frank Byron - July 5 - 10:20 am

  My 2001 Cadillac DeVille is one of the nicest cars I have owned. It is comfortable, stylish and safe. Its fuel economy is great for a large car. I can get 29 mpg on the highway.

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  The Best Yet - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By c bowie - July 4 - 3:14 pm

  After owning a Cadillac CTS, I decided to upgrade to an SRX. It is the best all around vehicle that I have seen for comfort ,style and performance.

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  Love the XT5 - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By Mary Bergmann - July 3 - 9:27 pm

  Great vehicle. Everything is as expected or better.

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  2003 CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By theboilermaker - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Two major fabrication problems. It took the dealer 4 tries until fixed: (1) Air Leak in Sun Roof seal---eventually replaced the entire glass unit. (Why have a $2000 Bose Sound system if you cannot listen to it?); and (2) Firewall gap that let all the windshield rainwater into the drivers compartment resulting in 2" water inside the car. (Fixed on first try by the dealer).

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  WHAT A HEADTURNER - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By - July 2 - 2:00 am

  I REALLY AM ENJOYING MY CTS! I CANT BELIEVE THAT I AM DRIVING A CADDY AND PEOPLE ARE TURNING HEADS. EVERYONE HAS GREAT COMMENTS.AFTER ALL, THAT IS WHY I PURCHASED IT.

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  Still the Standard to Beat - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By John Perry - July 1 - 7:11 pm

  After six months and more than 6,000 miles I am very happy with the car. I did not think that I needed the heated steering wheel or the cooled front seat, but once I used them I would not want to do without them, even for the limited days they are really needed.

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  Its Really Here - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Mister Anderson - July 1 - 12:01 pm

  The mid size luxury sedan that you are looking for is right here in America! Like everyone, I drove the usual suspects Audi, BMW, and Infiniti. The technology that Cadillac has invested in the STS is amazing. 5.1 surround sound, navigation, a true keyless remote, gracious styling and the quietest ride in its class. I sold an 03 Infiniti Coupe and an 05 Infiniti Sedan for the STS. Both are nice cars but the coupe was too loud inside. I have never looked back. Its can cruise at any speed.

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  Great Little Caddie - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Reggie Day - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Our 5th Cadillac... 3 Devilles and 1 Eldorado. This sporty little beauty is what Cadillac is all about, now and in the future. It is fun to drive and is definitely an "eye-catcher".

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  Grrrrrrrrrrrrreat! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By BMO from PA - June 26 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Caddie, and by Far the better of the two, if you are thinking about getting one? Go For It! I had a Lexus, it was great too, but you get pretty much just as much for much less money. Not one single problem with it and I waited over six months to write this, so I would be sure No Problems! :-)

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  EXT - 2005 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Al Ginolfi - June 25 - 1:16 pm

  Fun to drive, great acceleration and handling. Great styling.