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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  powerful lux - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By gilla - August 2 - 2:00 am

  In July i bought a 2003 sls for my wife. This is the third cadilac that we have owned and i am still not disapointed. THe interior is wonderful and an upgrade from the last car i had (96). The engine is still peppy and powerful as ever. I love that such a powerful engine comes standard. The reliability of this car is great also. The only problem is that once it hits 100,000 miles it gets the real problems. Up till then i love it.

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  Cadillacs are the best american cars - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By deville - July 31 - 2:00 am

  CADILLACS ARE GREAT, MOST COMFORTABLE CAR IN THE WORLD, VERY FAST FOR ITS SIZE, FUEL GUZZLER THOUGH

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  Cad SUV - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By Inez Spangrud - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Terrific SUV. Overalll mpg with 50/50 city/hwy is 15.5 on computer. Regularly get 18mpg on trips at 75-80 mph.

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  my favorite car - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By normann - July 31 - 2:00 am

  the last car i had was a Escalade...The car i have now is a Escalade...and the next car i plan to own will be a Escalade....

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  AWESOME - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Amanda Bennett - July 31 - 2:00 am

  This is a really nice ride and an awesome car.. i would recomend it to anyone, the cost is worth and it is very stylish!

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  Cadillac CTS sharp, fun to drive - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By hgold1 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Great style, terrific handling, good power. I shopped the M/B c240, BMW 3 series, Lexus 300 series and Infinity I 35. The CTS was the nicest looking (if you like the style) had the best handling and more bells and whistles for almost the same price as the others.

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  its a cadillac - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By elyod - July 30 - 2:00 am

  a wonderful ride, agreat experience, a fine dealer and a great salesman

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  Love it - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By TKE224 - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Love it! I have enjoyed the car very much. I recently purchased a new CTS and gave the car to my wife. I just could not part with it.

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  Thought I was too young for a Caddy - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By GrtRealtor - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR! At 38 yrs, I loved my Volvo Turbo, but at 137K miles, it was time to move on. In search of a luxury SUV I could afford, I stumbled upon a Cadillac lot and this DeVille just seemed to call my name. I drove it, and bought it. No regrets. Great city ride, great highway ride, great country roads ride.

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  Love my Escalade - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By diamond lady - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Awsome vehicle - I traded my 94 Caddillac Concours for a 2003 Escalade! I am very impressed! Plush, comfortable interior and what a ride! Definately a head turner...Recommed this vehicle to ANYONE in the market for a luxury SUV