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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  AWESOME - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By caddy lover - June 10 - 4:31 pm

  I have driven the Cadillac XLR and it is amazing, better than I would have expected. I got more stares from people than with my Mercedes-Benz. Its just a great car, which few people have which makes it even better.

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  Cheap and reliable - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By Cad Man - June 10 - 1:18 pm

  I have had several Cadillacs over the years. Each one seems to be a little better than the last in some way or another. I drove this car on a 2,500 mile trip with no issues at all and averaged 26 mpg on the highway at 75 mph. If you are looking for a pretty reliable car for not a lot of money, this is one to consider. It has 142,000 miles and counting.

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  Good and solid - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By G Roberson - June 10 - 10:00 am

  Drove it to Niagra Falls.....the navigation radio was outstanding.....really enjoyed the ultra view sunroof!!!

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  5th is tops - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By R. CART - June 9 - 4:22 pm

  This is my 5th Cadillac. My 3rd DeVille & 2 Eldorados and I still have an Eldorado. This is the most impressive DeVille yet. This limited edition model has very nice dress-up looks.

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  After Much Research - Love my XT5 - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By L. Fleury - June 6 - 12:53 pm

  I was on the hunt for a crossover/SUV that could serve as my work commute car (about 15 miles) with some business meetings an hour or two away while also serving as a family vehicle for travel in New England (and therefore purchased the AWD model). I love that the vehicle is a V6 with "cylinder reduction"; only using all six when needed. The AWD feature is controlled by a button and can be engaged while driving -- therefore, I do not need to use it in dry/warm conditions. The interior is beyond gorgeous and comfortable. Handling is seamless and sporty. Love, love, the vehicle - so far, so good! The XT5 is made in Spring Hill, TN - another selling point for me as I was looking for an American car. Last, but certainly not least, the car takes "regular" grade gas. A huge selling point for me.

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  Hot Rod with Comfort - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By BIG BOY - June 4 - 8:37 pm

  I bought this car used with 102,000 miles and it runs great has good power and great comfort.The only bad think is the fwd make torque steer a little annoying when you punch the trottle and there isnt hardly any aftermarket performance parts for the Northstar motor. The STS is a great highway cruiser though and you gotta love the exterior look it does not have the grandmother look that some other cars in its class.

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  The best car I have had so far - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Sean - June 4 - 7:39 am

  This car drives so smooth, has the power to do what I want and the styling that sets it apart. I have owned Mercedes, Jaguar and BMW so I never expected that a GM car would knock my socks off! Almost a year and I still love it.

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  Better than a Lexus and cheaper!!! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By jrtrock - June 3 - 4:35 pm

  Test drove Lexus 330RX, Infiniti, etc. The Caddy was the best deal and the best driving....a great vehicle at a great price.

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  You need to test drive this car! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Pam Foerstner - June 2 - 11:52 pm

  I previously drove a Lincoln Navigator and wanted to downsize without sacrificing any of the luxury features. I was impressed by the body style of the SRX, but when I drove it I knew I had found my car. This car is so much fun to drive that I regularly catch myself doing 90 mph on the highway without realizing it. When I drove the car at the dealership, I told the salesman that I was interested in purchasing an SRX. He asked me when I would like to come back to pick the car up and I said that I would be taking the car home that night. I have not been disappointed! I love this car.

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  New STS Rocks - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By bds - June 2 - 2:33 pm

  I recently bought a new STS V8 AWD. Compared to the competition (Mercedes, Lexus) it was equal in performance, finish and fit. It exceeds the Lexus LS 430 in that its handling sports car like. It would cost $10,000-$15,000 more for similiarly equipped Lexus or Mercedes. I like everything about it except that the gas fill is on the passenger side. Fast, quiet, responsive and luxurious. Bottom line: it is the best value you can get in a luxury vehicle and it is definitely not your daddys Caddy.