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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  Tetirement - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By JACK HUDDER - June 3 - 12:16 pm

  The DTS is very comfortable on long drives. I love the remote start so the car can be cooled down before entering. Im surprised with the good gas milage. It is better than the Acura RL that we traded in. Also, it burns regular fuel not premium. We like the monthly reminders from OnStar. Any questions after purchase were promtly answered.

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  Even Better - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Bill W - June 3 - 8:32 am

  This is my 4th Escalade, I started buying them in 02. This seems to be the best one yet, it continues to look great, especially in black with 22" wheels. The navigation system is easy to use but has had glitches, When it warms up and the vehicle is shut off, it will not resume operation, stating "disc misread". The ride is very good as it has been in all of my previous models and it continues to be easy to manuever. This one is very fast for an SUV this big, its just 0.5 seconds slower 0-60 than my 1970 GTO "Judge." Its build quality appears to remain solid and dealer service has in the past been excellent and local which is great! I will continue to purchase this model.

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  CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Mark - June 3 - 8:31 am

  This car is comfortable both in city and highway driving. For the size, comfort and power I think that the mileage is respectable. I have had two E-Class Mercedes, a Lexus SC400 and LX470 and three Corvettes in the last 10 years but for some unexplainable reason I like this car best.

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  Love the caddy... - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Peter - June 2 - 2:07 pm

  Ive had my new Cadillac CTS for a little over a month now. I love the acceleration, power and styling. I made the 4 hour drive to Vegas from LA and I didnt want to stop driving it was so comfortable. My girlfriend was able to sleep the whole way there she was so comfortable, which made the ride for me that much more enjoyable. But this car is quick, fun and roomier than it looks. I highly recommend at least a test drive.

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  My First Cadillac - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By HERXLR - June 2 - 12:15 pm

  My husband purchased my red XLR new as a present to replace another vehicle on the spur of the moment. We did not evaluate any other cars, Jag, Porsche, BMW, etc. I am thrilled with the car and loved it from the first minute I drove it. I get more thumbs up from other convertible drivers (Porsche comes to mind), teens, general passersby, than I ever have with another vehicle. This car is a beauty, comfortable, fun to drive, fast, and well designed. Youll really want to exceed the speed limit in this one, it is so smooth. The feel of a sports car with the comfort of a sedan.

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  Cadillac SRX - Best in Class - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By sml32003 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  Sporty and fun to drive, catches the eye of others on the road around you, smooth ride, easy to park in small spaces, comfortable, reliable with Cadillac brand and warranty is exceptional

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  Not Your Daddys Caddy! - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By NotDaddysCady - May 31 - 8:52 pm

  The Cadillac CTS was built on the new sigma platform (using Japaneese style manufacturering). It has aggressive styling and lots of power. Its handling is superb - it feels like is is on rails around corners. Its seats and backseat leg room are great (better than in the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class and the Lexus IS250). Having driven all of those I have zero regrets about my purchase. My only negative is that the dash could have a little better design (especially if you have the base stereo and no navigation). Cadillac service is superb as well and they really take care of you.

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  Great Fun - Tons of Room - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By MP - May 31 - 1:14 pm

  I have been lucky enough to have an SRX for the past 2 years. I have 4 children, so my choice for a vehicle is limited by the "seats=6" factor. I have a Chrysler Town & Country thats great for a minivan, but completely not fun. I spend over 4 hours a day in the SRX and it is fantastic. It has become difficult for me to get comfortable in other vehicles. For a V6, it does everything I ask it to do quickly and quietly. A yound woman co- worker who was riding in the car actually burst out with a "NICE!" during heavy on-ramp acceleration. The AWD is great as it makes the rear slide a tiny bit in cornering so there is no understeer. Test drive one and youll never buy a Toyota!

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  Fits like a glove, smooth and sexy - 2006 Cadillac XLR
  By TerryLee - May 31 - 1:27 am

  The Cadillac XLR is a fine, classic car for ladies. It has power when needed with just a touch on the gas pedal. It rides smooth and sleek. It has the look and makes a lady look good. Its sexy. It fits me like a fine, leather glove. I love the hard top. This car has plenty of trunk space for my expensive luggage for a weeks trip, even in golc weather. Its technically sleek. Its speakers surround you with sound. And, a ride under the stars on a warm, summer night will knock your socks off.

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  SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Tom - May 30 - 10:10 pm

  The Cadillac SRX is an awesome car, SUV whatever. It is very comfortable and is a great on road vehicle.