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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  Love it! - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By indianavince - August 3 - 10:55 am

  Im a car nut, and was in search of a lower cost high comfort second car. (wifes Toyotoa Highlander was too small for me on road trips). I have put nearly 7,500 miles on this car in three months. I considered a used Lexus, Buick, BMW 700L, and Jaguar. This Cadi rocks, the BMWs interiors didnt age well (all cars wer 4-6 years old). Lots of broken stuff. this was the same for the Audi A8. This Cadillacs only problems are seat heaters (front) and a brake sensor fix for $65! Take that German cars. I never thought I would drive a Cadi, but I can not fault this car, I would buy another in a moment! I get 28 MPG on highway and nearly 20 city! My Olds Alero only got 18 MPG in the city.

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  rayelCTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By rayelsqd - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Firm ride and handles well. Seats should be more comfortable and dash dissapointing should show more information without pushing bottons. Changing drive style button does not feel much difference. Storage space limited inside cabin.

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  Beautiful Ride - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Denice - August 3 - 12:13 am

  This Cadillac is an awesome car inside and out. It has great power and all the luxury that you expect. The chrome on the exterior really makes it stand out. That was a big eye catcher for my husband and I. We are very happy with our Cadillac and have no regrets. I would tell anyone that likes Cadillac or SUVs that this is the vehicle for them.

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  LOVE It - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By Matthew - July 31 - 1:45 am

  We had a 98 STS and loved it, but my partners brother wanted to buy it so we sold it to him. We just purchased an 03 STS about two weeks ago and love it. This one unlike our first one is loaded. It has a sunroof, navigation, back up sensors, and OnStar. We love this car. We will never get rid of it. Its got 34,000 miles on it and still has factory warranty. We had a new 2006 Mercedes R350, their new crossover vehicle. It was junk. They had to buy it back because they couldnt fix it. We also just bought one of the last new 06 Yukons. We had an 04 but sold it. This one also has nav, rear DVD, sunroof, Denali, and OnStar. We will stick with GM for life. Thanks for making such great cars.

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  Disapointment - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By rick simon - July 29 - 5:13 pm

  I am really disapointed that a $60,000 car is so poorly built. Whats worse is that Cadillac customer care was rude and told me that there is nothing they are willing to do to fix it. The Bluetooth connection is a joke, the people on the other end say you sound like you are in a cave and are hard to hear. The car has a wind leak in the passenger door. We even traced the location and told the dealer where it was located. Twice and they still cant fix it. The tires are low profile Michelins. One tire has a thump in it which is noticible at low speeds. Guess what, no problem found! I have always been an American auto owner, but this car is screaming "trade me for a Beemer!"

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  Cant Get Enough - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Happy American - July 29 - 8:49 am

  I was warned about buying a Cadilac but I read so much about what GM had done recently and that the plant that the car is built in had won numerous awards when competting with all the manufacturers so I bought American! Well, I can not be more happy. I have let friends with BMWs and other cars drive it and all you have to do is look at thier faces after they get out of the car. They know what I now know. Cadillac is back and they can compete with anyone. Dont take my word, go test drive and will have the same face my friends have after they drive it.

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  Great Car - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Mark McNulty - July 27 - 1:40 pm

  This car is fun to drive and has all the latest technology. Keyless entry, push button start, and voice controls - for windows, radio, AC. It has virtual advisor, which gives me current weather condtions, stock reports and traffic accidents and construction sites to avoid. I really love this car! I had a 2005 Cadillac STS with a V6 engine, but traded this in for a 2006 STS V8 with navigation an all the toys.

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  Las Vegas Loves IT - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Tunnell - July 27 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my first Cadillac when I was 17 years old. It was a Sedan de Ville and got about 8 miles to the gallon. It was the biggest car at our high school and after a bit on ribbing people got used to a kid in the 70"s driving such a car. Well I got hooked and have had 7 since then. I have had Sevilles, STS, SLS, Fleetwood, and now thw CTS.. Great Car

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  Great Truck, Wow! - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By rob - July 26 - 7:18 pm

  Hi. I recently purchased my Escalade and prior to that I owned a 2004 GMC Yukon Denali. Let me tell you there is no comparison between the two. The new Escalade is just built so much more solidly. I am so glad that I choose this truck. I recommened it to any one looking for a real head turner.

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  Excellent road car! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By William Rahner - July 24 - 9:13 pm

  I love the car! Despite negative reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, the only maintenance issue Ive had was the collapse of the two front shock absorbers, which the dealer immediately corrected. The vehicle has a wonderful ride and great handling characteristics, especially on the highway. Its quiet and comfortable, and the seats are firm and very supportive. My wife, who is not easily impressed with domestic makes, really loves it. Its been great on road trips, averaging 24 MPG on the highway. The Northstar V8, is considerably more thirsty Im told, but I dont miss the horsepower...the V6 is quite responsive. I recommend the car without reservation.