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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  Outstanding Value for the Money - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Cosmo - August 20 - 10:52 pm

  08 has great looks and comfort. New V6 ans sheet metal improvements creates great appeal. Was looking at BMW, Mercedes Audi, Lexus and Infiniti for the money the STS was the best buy,

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  GM is alive again, and will dominate - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By phil1psc - August 20 - 4:17 pm

  The sleeping giant is awake and has made one awesome vehicle. This is unbelievable how nice a suv this is. I love the looks you get from all types of people. But you should its part of the new GM. "Theyre back". Doesnt get any better. Keep doing what youre doing. You have let all know who is number 1

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  2008 STS 6 cylinder is a dream! - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By John Lerner - August 18 - 7:01 pm

  2008 STS Just delivered and drove from East Hampton Long Island to Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Wife and kids love the ride on this car, more than our former BMW 5 series. MPG combined on the cars computer stunned us with 21.6 combined, and 27 mpg all day long on the highway, running 87 octane!

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  My car - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Fredrick Hetzel - August 18 - 12:58 pm

  I love my car, it is just right for me. It fits my body in total comfort and is always reliable. All of my passangers think it is a great ride.

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  I have driven all SUVs - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By jeffram - August 18 - 7:31 am

  I have had the LX470, Hummer h2 sut, test drove the Lincoln Navigator. The Lincoln was my second choice as I pull a boat and the LX470 is sorry to tow 6000 lbs. I went into the Caddy pessimistic because of the plastic wood and the uncomfortable seats and a stiffer than expected suspension. My Hummer was smoother. The Navigator dash design is horrible and the rear entertainment system looks like an aftermarket install. The Escalade will grow on you. It is the best SUV on the market. There isnt a better user friendly Nav entertainment system. If you do not choose this option you are missing out! I went in with a 2 year lease waiting for the new LX. I am staying with Caddy!

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  I love this car - 1992 Cadillac Deville
  By Mariar56 - August 17 - 11:45 am

  This car, like all high gm cars is a real workhorse. I replaced the original Delco battery in 02, three years past its end date, [the only time it wouldnt start], and other than some loser trying to steal the car, which screwed up the security, Ive never had it not start! I love a comfortable, pretty car. I despise those boxy mono cars that started proliferating in the early 80s. Sadly they became all the rage. I have to say wake up Detroit. We want nice looking cars. Certainly we dont want all these clones. I dont want it to be the 50s, [I love my traction control,esc, fwd,etc.], but in the 50s you could tell a Ford from a Chevy, you couldve been blind and would know if a

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  Whatever happened to American muscle? - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By CLAYDOUGH - August 16 - 7:33 pm

  I purchased this from a man who took great care of it. I was quite surprised with the power put in such a heavy car. I love driving it on this extremely hot Georgia days. Plus the engine is over 10 years old and still smooth as a brand new engine, not to mention virtualy impossible to destroy.

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  I Love the 2005 Cadillac STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By janis1 - August 12 - 4:33 am

  I just came out of a Cadillac CTS, which I really, really liked. However, my fully loaded 2005 Cadillac STS V6, is in another class.

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  08 STS is hot - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Cosmo - August 11 - 9:28 am

  302-horsepower engine with direct injection V6. A bolder look on the outside and inside will attract younger buyers. I am 41. I wanted a 4 wheel drive car that can accommodate 3 car seats in the back. I looked at the BMW 535xi, Lexus GS350 AWD Infiniti M35 (currently drive Infiniti M45) at Audi A6. For the money the 2008 I stress the 2008 STS was the best value. The increased performance and the side air extractors, incorporated into the front fenders of STS. New chrome-plated door handles and lower rocker moldings are added for more presence and refinement.

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  This car is hot! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By spa_r_key - August 10 - 10:00 am

  First time Cadillac buyer, bought the car 3 days ago and I cant get over the ride, very smooth and quiet. Bought the black exterior w/black interior, ultraview sunroof, radio/nav, 8 speakers, Onstar, no third row, V8...enough said. Hands down, the best I have owned. Keep an eye on your speed, the V8 can get you in trouble. Not many of them on the road like the BMWs or Mercedes so its sleek design will turn heads.