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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  Nice Car - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Car Lover - June 9 - 10:38 pm

  I bought a Cadillac DTS because it had the most roomy back seat of all the vehicles that we drove. I have been suprised by the quality of the car, it is really put together well. The performance version is a real kick to drive. Lexus drivers in the neighbohood are always impressed by the car. It is sensational for the money.

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  Our fourth Cadillac - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By DTS - June 9 - 9:10 pm

  My wife is of European origin, and she insisted that we buy American. Each vehicle we have purchased has been better than the previous model. The DTS is very comfortable for both the driver and passenger. It has more than enough power for both open road and getting around town. No one should carry more than it can fit in the generous trunk. My only complaint about this latest model is that Cadillac dropped the electronic seat adjustment gadget that fixed the seat to fit the preferences of the driver for that key.

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  Did I just buy a Cadillac? - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By Chris R. - June 9 - 9:00 am

  I looked at everything else in this class (BMW, Mercedes, Acura, and Audi) and when it was all said and done the CTS was the only way to go. I still cant believe I actually bought a Cadillac but it has exceeded all our expectations.

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  Surprise - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By wfk - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Very surprised with the overall handling and comfort of the CTS. My past Cadillacs have been a 1999 STS and a 2001 DTS while the other two Cadillacs have been out of the CTS category I am really impressed with the smaller just as agile CTS

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  Great car, just a bit small for tall - 2004 Cadillac XLR
  By Jon - June 8 - 9:41 pm

  The Cadillac XLR is a great car, but it is just a bit small for tall drivers (Im 6-4). Mine had several several system problems, but all taken care of under warranty.

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  2007 Cadillac Escalade - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By CADILLAC MAN - June 7 - 4:19 am

  This truck is much improved! I traded in my 2005 for it and I can honestly say that I like the look and feel of the 07 model much better. The extra cost was well worth it!

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  Thumbs Up - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By Larry - June 6 - 8:52 pm

  This is one of the nicest SUVs on the market. I looked at all makes this time before buying and after a test drive.....was sold. I love it!

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  Sweet Ride - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Steve - June 6 - 10:53 am

  The DeVille is a great highway car. Its very comfortable, Im 64" and have plenty of room. It has lots of amenities and is a good value on the used luxury car market. Mine averages 28.2 mpg @ 70 mph which for a car this size is quite impressive. Its 17.6 mpg in city driving isnt to bad either. This car is a vast improvement over my 97 DeVille and I loved that car.

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  2007 Cadillac Escalade - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By marri baloch - June 6 - 4:00 am

  I bought this vehicle a month ago and I like it very much. Now Lexus and other luxury manufacturers have competition in the SUV segment. Cadillac has shown a great improvement with the production of this ultimate large size SUV. I am so glad to see that the brakes have also been improved. The interior is also very nice. I like the rear view camera. I love its ride on road and also on off road. It has the great power and torque. Its 6 speed gear box is also quick responding. I have taken this large size monster to the hottest area of my country and even at 52 degree centigrade my vehicle was able to travel at high speeds, I was surprised to see that from an SUV.

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  Where did all of the Gremlins come from? - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By unhappycateraowner - June 5 - 9:36 pm

  We bought a 99 catera and ever since weve had it, it feels like it is driving us. it always wants to pull to one side or another. We have also been having transmission problems shifting improperly. The rear view mirror also has started smoking on occasion. My wife and I would never buy or recommend this car to anyone.