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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  No more Lexus for me... - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Marvin Mays - May 4 - 5:35 am

  I love my Cadillac STS. I was a Lexus man until I test drove a STS with the G package and the Northstar V-8. Its a whole lotta fun just to drive around the city. Driving on the open road will take your breath away. It is nice to see an american car built this well

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  2007 Cadillac Escalade - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By hhhhhhaaaaaayyyyyyyy - May 3 - 10:18 pm

  Yeah the 2007 Cadillac Escalade is pretty much a great vehicle. IT drives nicely and looks hot going down the road. Id reccomend it to anyone looking for comfort AND style. Fo sho. buy one today!

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  I Just Love It - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Denny Pemberton - May 3 - 2:08 pm

  I made the mistake of buying an 05 STS, to me its not what I consider a Cadillac, it rode rough and you could hear and feel every little bump, they tried to make a sports car out of a luxury car and they were way off, so in Apr of 06 I bought a new DTS. Believe me theres a world of difference The ride, style, comfort and room just to name a few. Try the DTS and youll love it.

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  Dream Machine - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Gary Crouch - April 30 - 8:02 pm

  This is by far the best Escalade yet. It drives as smooth as butter, is extremely comfortable, has load of power with the 403 hp engine and gets average fuel mileage. I traded in a 2004 Range Rover and havent regretted it for one second. Its a real head turner and gets looks everywhere I go. I would highly recommed this vehicle. Theres nothing like a Cadillac.

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  Love My SRX - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Dana - April 27 - 8:10 am

  After test driving both the V6 and the V8, there is no compairison for me. The V8 is so much nicer, the noise level is quieter, and the the power is effortless. Both my wife and I just love the styling, and we get asked all the time, "What kind of car is it", and I am proud to tell them that it is a Cadillac. I have not found anyone that has not liked the looks of this car. Keep up the good work GM, your quality is world class!

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  Eighth Cadillac for an Old Fan - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By rixrox - April 25 - 8:52 pm

  My Cadillac number eight is a pearl white STD edition. It is simply elegant and has ample horsepower. It is a great snow car and it is a nice trip for my ego. I never feel bad in my DeVille. What a wonderful American dream car! Its my love affair and its be going on for awhile. I really never get tired of owning Cadillacs. Test drive a few of them to find the one that calls your name!

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  In Love - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Patrick - April 22 - 12:05 am

  My buddy had a 92 or 93 Eldorado with some 20 inch rims on it. I was WOWWED with the styling. He didnt have the Northstar engine, but I do. I got the ETC Touring Coupe, and the whole car feels SINFUL. I waited over 5 years for this car, and I have not been let down. I am still surprised with things like the "Turn" lighting, presets, dual zone air conditioning / heat, blah blah. Also, I am super impressed with the acceleration. This car is super quiet, and super smooth.

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  Happily Surprised by GM - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Happy Owner - April 21 - 10:30 pm

  This is my first Cadillac. I am absolutely delighted with this car. It came with no defects, and rides like a dream. My German friends tell me that it rides better than a BMW. It holds the road, without the extra suspension package. It does not dip in curves. It has terrific road feel, but still is very comfortable inside. It has lots of room for passengers, including tall ones. The CTS has good trunk space. Highway driving is a pleasure and city driving great. With the 3.8L engine it has very good pickup, lots of power under the hood. IT has good acceleration on hills. My gas mileage has been 21.3 overall, which is unexpectedly good. The radio is a dream with 8 Bose speakers. The cooling has separate controls for driver and passenger, more than enough. Im hooked.

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  I Love my "truck"! - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By hlewis - April 21 - 5:34 pm

  This car makes me feel like I am in the safest and one of the most attractive vehicles on the road. Its turning radius is amazing, considering its size. I have only owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles before this and have been pleaseanty surprized with this car. I could not find an Mercedes that I liked better than this SUV. I drive both long highway distances and short commutes with equal ease. I plan on owning my Escalade for 10 years and expect it to last well beyond that.

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  Wonderful car/suv - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By dvcdon - April 21 - 2:00 am

  The 6 cyl is plenty for our driving needs. The AWD is great for the driving conditions up here for several months of the year.