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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  Best SUV - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By ME - October 11 - 11:16 am

  This is the best SUV out there. After 3 years of absolutely no problems with my first Escalade, I couldnt resist getting another one. It is luxurious AND reliable! It handles better than most cars!

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  under rated - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By diver - October 9 - 1:43 pm

  2005 CTS with the perks will cost ya around 40000 but the car will exceed all the you have heard about. The 255 hp can push the car up to 130 mph not bad. Handling with the sport package is very good. The decor is not as refined as its german buds but the room you get inside the cab is great and more than makes up the difference. its my fist GM car in yrs

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  Escalade - Style! - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Alex - October 9 - 3:31 am

  This is the first SUV that I have ever owned and it will now be hard to go back to a normal car. My previous car was a Lexus IS300 which I loved as well. I haul around a lot of computer servers so upgrading to the Escalade made a lot of sense and it has not let me down. I have not had any major problems and the ride is smoother than expected. I would buy another Escalade in the future.

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  First New Caddy - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Glenn P - October 7 - 8:55 pm

  So far I am quite pleased with my purchase. I just returned from Las Vegas, a 600 mile trip, and got 25 mpg running in the high 70 to low 80s most of the trip. The a/c works great, the car has has lots of vim for passing, and is fairly quiet on the road. I wish the interior was a little larger to support my 6 foot frame. My wife loves the car and shes the one who made the selection.

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  my car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By sanford - October 2 - 10:00 am

  i am suprised how well this car handles and operates, I traded an aurora (2001) for this car and so far it was a good decision. My only compaint is that the nob for the radio on the steering wheel should be recess a little more. I keep hit it when I turn the steering wheel using one finger. It might be that my fingers a too large?

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  Love this Car!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Love Caddy - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Cadillac Escalade is the BEST SUV ever, hands down. The ride is smooth like a car and it has every option standard that you can think of. I will never own another SUV!

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  Mac Daddy Pimp Mobile! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By ejmachad - October 1 - 7:40 am

  I picked up the ride on Saturday afternoon and spent the rest of the day "oohing and aahing" and getting lots of looks from other drivers. I went from a BMW 325 and was very surprised by how well the car handled. I expected a big drop off in handling and there was none. Oh, and this car moves. I had smooth power and plenty of torque. If youre not careful, youll eclipse the speed limit quickly. All this with an extremely quiet interior. The interior is beautiful--especially at night! The ambient lighting absolutely makes a huge impression. I like the HID steerable headlamps and if Im not mistaken the back up lamps are HID as well. This is my first Caddy and Im in love!

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  A Winner for Cadillac - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Drivin Hard - September 27 - 10:32 pm

  Just finished the first three months of ownership of my new SRX and am very pleased with the car. After testing both the eight cylinder and the six cylinder engines I opted for the 3.5L six and am not at all disappointed since I find the power is totally adequate. It rides and handles well and combines the best of an SUV and a sedan. On long trips its as comfortable as my 04 Escalade and not as thirsty. Some have criticized the exhaust note, but I find it pleasing and not at all intrusive. So far everything works as advertised with no problems. Cadillac seems to want to make sure its owners have an overall excellent ownership experience and Im certainly very satisfied.

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  A Great Ride - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By jaedog - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I am truly impressed with the styling, comfort and handling of the CTS. Not only is this car great in looks it performs well and I feel very secure driving it.

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  KAD-CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By DougKen - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Maintenance seems to be a problem, after 5000 Miles I need a $300 front end alignment! Ordered by the dealers handbook.