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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  Good Vehicle, Overpriced - 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By GregS96 - July 28 - 12:53 pm

  At 5,000+ miles, driven in a wide range of weather conditions, terrain, and road conditions, I can honestly say that I am happy to own this American vehicle...at the price I paid for it (below invoice, 0%/5yr financing, business tax deduction). Traded on a 08 Toyota Tundra (great vehicle), it compares favorably in comfort, ride, performance, handling and economy. However, with a $15k higher list price, it should be much better, with more modern features (i.e.; adaptive cruise, lane departure warnings, etc).

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  I Love This Car - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Deb - July 27 - 5:50 pm

  I love this car so much now, I cant wait for good weather! We usually take a motorcycle trip every summer but I know this year well be traveling in style. No complaints at all! I love that GM has turned out a car like this! Im proud to drive American!

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  cadillac escalade - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By fudgeglom - July 27 - 2:00 am

  This a very impressive vehicle. The options already in the Escalade are exceptional. This is the reason I will continue to purchase the vehicle.

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  This is a great car! - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By tsmichelle - July 26 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car! Even when driven hard (which for me means daily)it just performs. Cadillacs Northstar engines are just fantasic, If you have ever have the chance ot drive one, I highly recommend it.

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  NOTHIN COULD EVER STOP YOU - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By J.C - July 26 - 2:00 am

  WHEN YOU RIDE IN A CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN DO ANYTHING LIKE NOTHIN COULD EVER STOP YOU.LIKE YOU COULD RIDE ALL AROUND THE CITY WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND SHOWOFF YOUR BRAND NEW EXT YOU COULD TURN ON THE RADIO AS LOUD AS YOU WANT WATCH DVDS YOU COULD EVEN INSTALL A PLAYSTATION 2 OR ANY SYSTEM THE RIDE IS SO SMOOTH THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE IS EXCELLENT.

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  Awesome Truck - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Tiffany_Williams - July 26 - 2:00 am

  We bought the Escalade after our third son was born and have found that this truck is great for towing the boat or just the family around.. interior and exterior are classy and overall great. If you are looking for not only a family vehicle, but a stylish one as well this is the one for you.

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  1995 cadlac - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By Dianne Sprague - July 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a joy to have. Its like a member of the family

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  Get the extented warranty used carI - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By Stylist Jo - July 23 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. I owned a Cadillac before this one and it saved my life. Will never own a compact car. Too many SUVs and I travel long distances. This car is a dream for travel and other passengers are comfortable in the back seat. Great features and it is a fun car to drive.Looks great and has great curb appeal. I agree with other reviewer...buy used, crazy to buy new. I did have to replace the transmission in 2000 and other minor things that were covered in my extended warranty. Worth the extra money and has paid for itself.

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  my first cadillac - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By alcolu - July 23 - 2:00 am

  what can i say...its a cadillac

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  The 2005 Cadillac CTS is One Incredible Ride - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By angelplo - July 20 - 8:50 pm

  This car is incredible. It surely cant compare to the other other leading cars like BMWs or Mercedes-Benzs, but the fact that it is an American car lets me know that it is totally reliable. It has excellent acceleraltion, compared to the BMW 330i and in my opinion it is way more stylish than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. I almost purchased an E-Class just because of the emblem, but driving away with the Cadillac left me with no regrets.