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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  GM Does it Right! - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Greg - January 12 - 3:11 pm

  This car is done right. From comfort, to performance, to reliability, to quality, it is the best American car on the market. It is the best car I have ever owned. I have never considered buying the same model car twice, but I cant wait to buy my next CTS. The CTS rocks!

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  A Good Choice - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Andolena - January 11 - 4:13 pm

  I have a 2006 V8 SRX with All Wheel Drive. I have to say that the V8 engine makes quite a difference (my mother has the V6). However, you really only feel the extra power if you accelerate while already moving (like passing) and then it flies! Off the line this vehicle sort of lumbers as it is quite heavy. Also, my SRX does feel much sturdier and less hollow than the V6, Im not sure why. My drive to work is 40 minutes and I actually enjoy it now, it is very relaxed and has a great factory stereo... as opposed to my VERY unreliable Saab which had less than 30,000 miles! My only complaint is that I cant seem to adjust the seat to be 100% comfortable. I think this car is just not made for women who are 5 2"!

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  Still Solid and Going Strong - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By EasternHorseman - January 11 - 8:26 am

  I purchased my 02 Escalade as a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle in 2003. This is the best "car" Ive ever owned. It is still solid with minor wear and tear after 106,000 miles. It is an SUV with the handling and comfort of a "car". Even when hauling two horses in a trailer, this baby feels safe to me. I probably will drive it another 100,000 miles as I dont feel like I am taking a chance that the newer models can out do this one. Nice work on this 2002 model.

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  Nice Little Chariot with Good Quality Build - 1990 Cadillac Seville
  By cadman - January 10 - 8:26 pm

  The ride, handling, quietness and finesse of the Cadillac Seville are amazing. This is a quality vehicle. Use proper care and maintenance and it will treat you right. I have never had a problem with it.

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  Northstar Gas Mileage on "6" is Good - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By Brandon Young - January 10 - 12:55 pm

  The STS has won us over. For the price, looks, convenience, build quality, gas mileage, we are extremely pleased with this machine.

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  About the AC - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By gap2006 - January 9 - 8:17 am

  I purchased my 2007 Cadillac Escalade in March 06 when it was first released and have put about 10,000 miles on it. Its been flawless in every way and all the tech gadgets work the way they are supposed to. As far as climate control, I already suffered through a long heat wave with temps above 100 and the AC performed flawlessly. You can start the car remotely and by the time you get in it it will have already cooled down considerably. Once you get in and blast the AC and ventilated seats you will be pretty cold. Anyway, I look forward to your feedback as to how it actually performs in your area. Good luck.

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  Bought It Used, Saved Depreciation - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By qgsm33 - January 8 - 10:47 pm

  I looked hard at the Mercedes SLK55 and the SL500. I couldnt afford the SL500 (ouch). The regular SLKs (350, 280, etc) didnt have enough horsepower to really compare. The SLK55 was almost impossible to find used with fairly low miles. Although the SLK55 is a great car, it just seemed too small for me. My daughter said "you look like an elephant riding a peanut" (referring to the short wheel base and short overall car length). Mercedes made a big deal out of their hard top retracting in 19 seconds vs. 30 seconds for the Caddy. My only trouble on the Caddy has been the computer thinking the top isnt fully locked when you hit a hard bump. That has been fixed now via some reprogramming.

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  Did not live up to expectations - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Faith - January 8 - 10:13 pm

  The CTS is attractive, but the engine seems strained at times while accelerating. I have been frustrated with several recalls and other parts that wore out, like the starter. I have also had defective memory seating that is supposed to remember your previous setting. That had to be replaced. I did not find the dealership to be attentive to my service requests and had to make several trips for the same complaint to be repaired. The back seat is tight in leg room and should definitely be larger. I traded in a BMW 740iLl to buy this car and will be going back to another BMW. The CTS doesnt hold a candle to the BMW 7-Series.

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  2007 SRX - One Great SUV! - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By JMK - January 8 - 8:59 pm

  My wife and I just bought the 2007 SRX V8 last week. We had been waiting until the new interior was introduced because we thought the old one looked cheap. The new interior is absolutely FANTASTIC. The use of hand stitched leather and real wood really makes the interior look classy. We were in love with the exterior from day one. This is an SUV that stands out from the rest and is very distinctively American. We ordered the Magnetic Ride Control and this vehicle is absolutely the smoothest vehicle I have ever been in. In addition, it corners like a sports car, is incredibly quiet, but also provides the functionality of a SUV. I am absolutely positive that the SRX is a superior vehicle to anything in its class.

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  Awsome Automobile - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Rob - January 7 - 4:17 pm

  I purchased this car because of its size. I never realized I would come to love it so much. Its a thrill to drive and more comfortable than you would believe. As with any high end vehicle, repairs and parts are costly, though this vehicle has proven to be so reliable that the need for such is few and far between.