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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  Monster Truck - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By laoilfinder - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus LX 470 previously as my SUV.... I wouldnt trade my Escalade EXT for either of them! Just finished a 850 mile road trip from New Orleans to North Carolina... The truck is a road warrior.... Very comfortable and powerful... Average fuel economy at 85mph cruise on interstates was 15.5mpg... Comparable to my previous SUVs...Have XM radio...love it. Navigation...great. Installed aftermarket (looks factory installed) in-roof DVD player for my boys... This truck is a head turner and a joy to drive and own.

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  High Price, High Pleasure! - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Jack Montgomery - July 21 - 2:00 am

  The "bigness" of the vehicle is a desireable feature -- not only the numerical dimensions, but the sense of a very comfortable "room on wheels." Greatest crossover for the tall driver. Its hauling capacity, both internal size, convenience and ease of space expansion, but also its towing muscle. Quiet as an ES300 (Lexus) and easy to control in snow and ice -- and off road. Wed do it again, despite the high price tag

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  good car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By jtv - July 21 - 2:00 am

  over a good car fun to drive

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  2004 CTS 3.6L V6 5Auto Sport Package - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Fast Lane487 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car loaded and I love it. The nav system isnt fussy; its easy to use and now features DVD nav and player for 2004 (CD based system was so last year). This car is a blast to drive and not a single problem to date. Cadillac is back!

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  I Love This Car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By lmdhsdir - July 21 - 2:00 am

  The ride of this vehicle is the most enjoyable I have ever had. I cannot compare it to anything I have ever driven. It certainly beats all of the other luxury cars I have ridden in.

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  GM Has Exceeded its limitations - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Chaslaur - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I test drove 7 other luxury sport class cars and this car is the ultimate. The handling is superb. the color and fit is very nice.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Frank&Ann - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is a fantastic vehicle I also own a H2 Hummer and comfort and Luxery Its got it beat hands down

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  Love my Cadillac SRX - 2006 Cadillac SRX
  By Brenda and Bryan - July 20 - 5:01 pm

  I love our 2006 Caillac SRX. Its comfortable and reliable. Its very stylish exterior is awsome. The V6 sure has a lot of get up and go when you need it. It is easy to park and handles great. There is plenty of leg room both in the front and the second row. The third seat is great, but only fits children. The thrid seat folds flat and when its down there is plenty of cargo space even for my LARGE stroller. The Ultraview is a MUST!! It is amazinly large and doesnt create a lot of noise like most sunroofs. You cant beat Cadillacs warranty!

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  Love it but Cramped - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By ADMIN - July 20 - 3:11 pm

  I just bought my first ever Cadillac. It looks great, drives so smoothly but lacks backseat leg room and has very little storage room. It is very difficult to get out of, but overall it is luxury through and through.

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  Best of All.... - 1990 Cadillac Brougham
  By Don Vito - July 20 - 5:31 am

  I just purchased my first Fleetwood Brougham. It has the 5.0 liter. Even for a 16 year old car the quaulity is definitely there. I checked the gas mileage already and its 25.6 overall. No complaints there. It has huge cargo capacity as well. Who needs an SUV?! This was in the top five safest vehicles built on the planet in 1990 behind Volvo. Its quality and craftmanship is unequaled. Everything works even after 16 years, even the power antenna. I am very satisfied! Other drivers dont argue with you in traffic either.