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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  CTS REVIEW - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By OHLAND - March 28 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR IS AWESOME

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  for mom - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By aztoct - March 28 - 2:00 am

  if the driver wants something to put mom in and go like your hair is on fire, this is it. mom will love the ride and quietness yet it gets out of its own way. ..i read it refered to as a wolf in an armani suit.....i agree. !!!18mpg city 23 hiway...excellent warranty and loaners from cadillac..email any questions

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  Big & Smooth - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By tHankS - March 27 - 2:00 am

  Other than being a little harder on gas than I had anticipated (15mpg)this is one big beautiful rig. This is my 14th SUV since 1972, and although I loved my old K5 Blazers, Jimmies, Broncos, Expeditions and one Yukon, nothing comes remotely close to the smoothness of this truck.This is what luxury is all about.

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  Great buy - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By sunnycat - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Performance is tops. Quality is beyond expectation.Fun car to drive on the road or in the city.

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  THIS JOINT IS AWESOME !!! - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By W Mac - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Yo, Caddy finally made a full-size folks under 40 can enjoy. SWEET! in every way. This is my first Cad ever. 2004-DTS is NO JOKE. Mad power, Sweet sound, Nav, Rear Sonar & Night vision phenomenal. Though SONAR was defective on delivery, Cad. fixed and provided free loaner. Car works well with you for skillful handling, even at HIGH speeds (I know).

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  5 months ownership of an XLR is bliss! - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By M. Robert Wilson - March 23 - 2:00 am

  As my personal vehicle I had owned a 1992 model XJS V-12 Jaguar convertible w/spoilers. Until I saw the 2004 Cadillac XLR last Fall throughout the 12 years I owned the Jaguar, I never once saw a vehicle that came close to it in style, performance & comfort, nor did I ever contemplate replacing it.The XLRs debut changed my attitude almost the moment I first saw it. During the nearly five months I have owned my black XLR, I have consistently experienced pure pleasure in driving it. Not only does it "turn heads", it handles and performs flawlessly and with power to spare.I never cease to be amazed at the technology it offers. incorporates.

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  Cadl.DevilleDTS - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By KeithTally - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This is the nicest car we have ever owned. Had a Cadillac ten years ago that was ok, but this one is outstanding. The only thing they could have done better is provide a little more up-graded interior..ie. window visors look/feel cheap...vanity mirrors look/feel cheap...The car handles great, is a joy to drive and ride in...best cruising car. Roomy/comfortable/luxury...really nice car. Look forward to driving it all the time. We got the Bose stereo system..outstanding...and OnStar is worth every penny...this car practically drives itself.

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  This car is amazing! - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Thomas Olik - March 22 - 2:00 am

  You will not find a better car on the market. This car has suberb handling and killer speed. This is the most extraordinary piece of machinery I have ever came forth with. Cadillac is the best company ever! Dont buy anything else except for Cadillacs! This car is worth much, much more than 70,000 dollars.

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  CTS a Drivers Car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Andrew L. - March 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my first step into the Luxury/Sport Car calss, and I couldnt be happier. I drove the C-Class Mercedes, the 525i BMW and the Audi A4. For the price and features the CTS was the best value. Unless you can afford to make the step into an E- Class Benz, a 500 Series BMW or the A6, the CTS gives you the best "bang" for the buck. It is smooth, powerful, and responsive, a real pleasure to drive.

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  2004 CTS 3.6VVT - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By billsteinhagen - March 22 - 2:00 am

  First drove in 2003 with the 3.2 V6 engine. I liked the car but a little underpowered with AT. Glad I waited for the 2004 with 3.6 V6 with variable valve timing and 255 HP. Great acceleration, very quiet and decent gas mileage. The 5 speed AT is the smoothest I have ever used. I purchased this over another BMW, although I didnt trade the Bimmer.