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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  Cadillac gets back to great cars - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Senior Male - January 25 - 1:00 am

  I traded a 1993 Lexus LS400, which was purchased new and was a terrific car. My new Cadillac STS is quicker, faster, more secure on the road, and a lot more fun to drive. The shifter provides control just like a manual transmmission. I love all the autumatic goodies. In just a few weeks the car became a very accomodating good friend.

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  What a Cadillac - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Robert Stephens - January 20 - 7:47 pm

  First of all I love the keyless entry system in the 2005 Cadillac STS. When you sit behind the wheel you can feel the room and see the beauty of the interior. I just love the real wood in the dash. Though this car is a V6 it has as much power as my 1984 Chevrolet Corvette. It really has the Cadillac ride which no car maker can match. It is fun to drive.

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  Good riding car, great performance - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Carol - January 20 - 6:07 pm

  I was dragged kicking and screaming to purchase a cadillac by my spouse. Our 1996 Cadillac Seville has been a wonderful car with few problems. The AC leaked and we had to replace the compressor while it was under warranty. Also, we recently had to replace the switch on the trunk closing mechanism and get new brake rotors. At 122,000 miles, that is an excellent record. I do have to add oil about every three times that I fill up with gas though. We purchased our Seville as a three year old car with 26,000 miles. It is an excellent car.

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  Unbelievable and Remarkable vehicle - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By BMW fan - January 16 - 4:28 pm

  My 2005 Cadillac STS is an unbelievable car. The handling, ride, and power are better than BMW, Lexus, Mercedes or any other import car. I test drove a Lexus LS 430 right before the Cadillac STS and the ride quality was exactly the same, which really surprised me. Its almost as if GM duplicated the ride quality.

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  Last of the big 2 doors - 2000 Cadillac Eldorado
  By cadillacmike - January 16 - 3:58 am

  The 1992-2002 Eldorados were fine cars, but they didnt sell well enough for GM. Too bad. The cars were VERY powerful and had the latest electronic advances, until around 2000 when GM had probably already decide to discontinue it. (Eldorado has older stabilitrak than Seville, etc). Being FWD, this car is has some torque steer, but its not too annoying. The Bose audio system is excellent, but most ESCs did not have it. The seating is very comfortable, but not as supportive in ESC trim. The driver info center is easy to use. The memory personalization is also easy to set up. It can take a 12 disk CD changer with no additional wiring. The optional OnStar is very useful.

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  2005 Cadillac Deville - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By FRED - January 15 - 7:05 pm

  I am disappointed that the seat belt height control was eliminated in the Cadillac Deville. The base stereo system is not of good quality. I have recieved much better reception on radios with telescoping antenas. GM keeps eliminating nice features, but raising the price.

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  Slik meets Corporate world - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By drinks2u - January 15 - 5:43 pm

  This is the most comfortable and economic car in the luxury class. I am a petite woman and find the ride appealing. I am in my mid-20s; Cadillac has always appealed to the older generation but has now appealed to the Generation X clan!! Thanks and I would recommend this car to anyone who can afford this price range!!!!!

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  Review - 2005 Cadillac STS - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By bill james - January 15 - 1:34 pm

  My 2005 Cadillac STS is fun to drive. Its power is there when it is needed. It has a very quiet ride. It also has a roomy interior and easy access when getting in and out. The option of automatic or manual shifting also make it a blast to drive.

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  Almost Perfect Deville - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Texas Cadillac - January 13 - 6:11 pm

  This is my third Cadillac DeVille. Its features are better than my 1997 models. This one has more front tire vibration though. My dealer has gone out of their way to try and solve this problem. Cadillac says the engine, transmission and wheels/tires are within specifications. Do other owners experience abnormal front tire vibration?

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  I Love it!! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Bigdog63121 - January 13 - 12:08 am

  Have driven a lot of cars in my 55 years and by far my 2005 Cadillac STS is the best. Not only is it the most fun to drive, it is also the best handling. Plenty of my friends have gone the import route and the ones who have had the chance to ride in, or drive my STS are truly impressed. I gave up a 300 hp Northstar for the 265 hp V6 in this car and have not looked back. I have all the acceleration that I need and I never got up to 150 mph any way!