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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  Still a great vehicle - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By rlund - July 1 - 2:00 am

  Its fast comfortable good looking and draws looks from the crowd. What more could you ask for in a luxury sedan?

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  Happy with CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By ry1nik - July 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive had it for two years now and cant complain at all. Got the Copper Sunburst color, which gets LOTS of comments. No significant glitches with it after 30,000 miles.

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  Is it too soon to love this car? - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By LuxoSport - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my CTS for a very short time so my enthusiasm is high. I have the 3.6 w/nav, XM radio. I was very close to buying a Chrysler 300C but found I could have the CTS for about the same price and opted for the Caddy. I love the secure, comfortable feeling behind the wheel,the power when called for,the techno gadgetry is awesome,the light platinum w/ebony interior gets raves from my passengers. Even the carpeting is plush and elegant. The OnStar hands free phone feature is a welcome addition to the overall pleasure quotient. Cadillac has regained its status in the luxury market with the new CTS and now appeals to a younger set as well.Even my grand

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  to cool! - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By bdp - June 29 - 2:00 am

  unbelivable comfort, real head turner (especially with big wheels, steering controls for stereo and other items are excellent

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  2004 Escalade ESV AWD Platinum Edition - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Jackie570 - June 29 - 2:00 am

  The AWD models feature a high-output 345 HP V8 engine.

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  WHEN YOU GET PERFECTION. . . . . . . - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Shauna38 - June 28 - 2:00 am

  I have wanted my Escalade for so long and I finally got it. Oh, boy, was it worth the wait. It is not only dependable and functional, but its gorgeous. I mean there is nothing as beautiful as a Cadillac. It just shines and always looks good. I love it and feel great driving it. It is everything I thought it would be. . . . .AND MORE!!!!

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  Leather but will all the Squeaks - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Reproman - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Hard to believe that after all these years GM cannot build a dashboard that does not squeak! Not as noisy as my benchmark 74 Camaro, but cant the imports teach Detroit a thing or two in building a $62k car? The drivers door when slammed sounds like my old 85 K5 tailgate-like something is loose and broken inside. All these were present since purchase. Interior leather is excellent but lets add the standard Cadillac rain sensor, not the Chevy wiper delay. And how about he seat massager like the DTS? Great overall look but too many places to clean-how about moving the gaskets closer to the outside as to limit dirt from getting into so many panels?

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  GENERAL - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By GENRAL2121 - June 28 - 2:00 am

  SAFE, SLEEK, DEPENDABLE, GOOD FUEL ECONOMY COMPARED TO SMALLER SUVS

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  Better than expected - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By LeeReavis - June 28 - 2:00 am

  We needed something to transport my handicapped wife and her electric three- wheeler. The ESV Escalade far surpassed our expectations. It is comfortable, powerful, smooth and easily swallows her alternative transportation. We have averaged 15-16 MPG in town and 17-18 MPG on the road at 75MPH, A/C on. I will not buy another car without the GPS NAV system and Satillite radio. We are spoiled rotten!

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  1 - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By ABLE - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, car laid out really well on the interior.