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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  Happy Owner - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Delilah North - October 17 - 5:17 pm

  I love this car. It looks good, handles great and really performs on the highway. I would recommend it to anyone that appreciates a quality automobile.

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  Owned two Eldorados, Imagine that!! - 1997 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Ben Leone - October 16 - 9:16 pm

  I owned an ETC, after replacing the trany for 2500 dollars, and it leaked so bad I had to finally trade it in.The strange thing was it was crimson red and it was as fast as a rocket, like riding in a living room with rocket power. I lost money on that one and bought another crimson red Eldo today. Three years later, I missed it so bad. I hope this one doesnt leak like the last one but if it does, I guess oil is cheap. Drive safely.

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  Hot SRX ! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Ms Kenya - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Coming from a GMC Yukon I can certainly appreciate the comfort of the SRX. Although the Yukon was far from a hard ride, yet it was not slick the Cadillac. The SRX is smooth but snazzy!!!!

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  STS much better than 2006 S Class Benz - 2007 Cadillac STS
  By Jeremy Trynor - October 13 - 9:03 pm

  This car is 30 grand cheaper than Mercedes and absolutely runs better. You dont have a service engine light come on everyday like the German vehicles. The 6 cylinder is nailing 19.7 mpg combined hard driving, and is extremely quick off the line and very quiet. We truly cannot believe how much we enjoy this car. Seats, performance, Bose Audio and Wood grain are above expectations.

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  Not too Great for a Cadillac - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Mike - October 11 - 8:18 pm

  It has been many years since I have had a new vehicle spend so much time in the shop. Almost immediately I had problems with the rear end. They performed a bulletin on it but it was back in the shop a few weeks after with the same problem. Then they replaced the whole rear end. Next it was check engine lights. Then they replaced the gas tank. Next the rear end problem came back. Then came more check engine light problems. And then less intrusive problems started happening like the finish chipping off the most used control knobs, problems with the drivers power seat, problems with the nav system. I was ultimately pretty disappointed in this great looking Cadillac.

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  Outstanding Vehicle - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Buday - October 11 - 7:09 pm

  This is my fourth Cadillac, my first in twelve years. What a terrific performing and smooth riding vehicle. I tried out a Lexus LS 430 and believe the DTS has a better ride and comparable quietness and build quality for $20,000 less. I like it better the more I drive it. My car has had no problems to date.

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  Caddy Gold - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Shani Chainani - October 11 - 5:50 pm

  The new CTS is a beast of a different kind. The car is completely redesigned but maintains the characteristics of the legendary first generation. The front view of the car is aggressive, low to the floor, and makes a statement before you arrive at your destination. The interior is by far the best, even topping BMW and Mercedes brands (which we were considering). The driving experience is stiff, responsive and very comfortable. A simple tap to the right of the shifter sends the car into sport mode and all 304 horses awaken to tear up the asphalt. Only one way to describe our experience thus far- Pure Gold.

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  Cadillac SRX, 2005 - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Richard Grahman - October 10 - 12:10 pm

  I have purchased 8 new vehicles over the past 12 years and this is by far the best handling car. We just love it.

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  Superb - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Mo - October 9 - 9:29 pm

  This cars exteriors exterior combines the best of European and Japanese design, with the interior luxury and comfort of an American car. It definitely is worth a look if you are interested in a car to enjoy. I look for reasons to drive it.

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  5 Passanger Corvette - 1996 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Eldoguy - October 9 - 8:17 am

  I bought this car used, fully optioned, with a cabriolet roof and chrome on the top of the front and left fenders. It is Crimson Pearl with a tan interior and added extra Zebranno wood. It looks very distictive. My family are snow birds, it is what you need when going from Canada to Florida each year. In the three years of owning this car the brakes and battery are all I needed to replace. I had lent it to my 83 year old mom. I havent seen her or my car for awhile.