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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  Best of all..........its a Cadillac - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By Pauley Walnuts - February 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Cadillac from a Jaguar/BMW/Mercedes Dealer on a trade from a little old lady who bought a new Jaguar convertible. Of course, the dealership didnt want an American car so I got it for a steal. Ive owned Fleetwoods, Sevilles, Lincoln Town Cars, Continentals and Mercedes coupes and this is the best all around vehicle that Ive owned/driven. Maintenance is very low. Other than tires, a battery, brakes and a minor exhaust job, I have had no problems. Change the oil every 3K and youll get about 22 mpg on the hiway, average about 20. Not bad for a high end luxury ride with a 4.9L engine.

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  I love it - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By jonbear - February 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had two infinitis prior to this deville and this car is so much more comfortable and substantial.

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  I Love It - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Eagle - January 31 - 10:50 pm

  I had a 2003 Cadillac Escalade. My new 2005 Cadillac SRX is so fun to drive! It gets pretty darn good gas mileage, but who cares when it is so fun to drive. Getting in takes a little getting used to, because of the wide threshold. I love the Bose sound system. The wood trim is beautiful (I am not so fond of the black dash). Overall, this is one of the best vehicles that Ive owned.

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  My first Cadillac - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By imint213 - January 30 - 3:18 am

  We sold our Lexus GX470 and chose to buy a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Gas mileage is great and love the features. I would never buy new, so we got a great deal. Ride is great for being on a truck chassis. I have missed the truck feel. You do have to adjust for your braking distance, but theres a safety advantage to driving a heavy SUV.

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  CTS ! What a fun car to drive!!! Wow ! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Dr. M.A. Sharpe - January 29 - 10:00 am

  This is definately not your grandpas Caddy! This is the most fun car Ive yet to own. I got all the goodies, but with the 5 speed. Great choice! Much better feeling of control than the Lexus 3-series, BMW 5-series, and Mercedes 2-series, all of which Ive had. This is the first Cadillac Ive owned, and I promise Ill be back for more. Very impressive, great design, nice sport/luxury feel. TURNS HEADS EVERYWHERE !! Only complaint is foot parking brake, instead of a hand brake. Too many moves to get brake on and in 1st or reverse to park. GM should fire the guy who designed that, but everybody else gets a 50% raise, and a company car...

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  Power , Luxury and Reliability - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By georgebuy - January 27 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used when it had only 44,000 miles on it. It now has about 81,000 miles and the only expenses I have incurred are a battery, tires and a drivers side window motor. All electronics work well. Wow!! the Bose system is fantastic and the gas mileage is incredible 18 around town and 28 on the highway. I would definitely own another.

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  CTS 08 Could Save GM! - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By Joseph Timlak - January 25 - 4:33 pm

  They finally woke up after 20 years in Detroit! CTS 300HP 6 Cylinder is an outstanding engine. Good power throughout, with better than expected MPG at 22MPG combined on CTS computer system. Seats and ride are absolutely above BMW and Mercedes. For the money this is an unbelievable buy! This car is outstanding, Congratulations to GM Detroit, they still have some talent left in those hallways!

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  AMAZING!!! - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By irun25 - January 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is so amazing!

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  Enjoying My Wifes SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Bill - January 22 - 2:06 pm

  I am used to peppy cars as the car that I turned in was a Cadillac STS, point being is that the 265 Hp Cadillac SRX provides me with all the pep I need. To top this off it is fueled with regular gas. It also gets good gas mileage on trips and around town. I truly enjoy driving this attention getting vehicle. Lexus and Mercedes-Benz people are always examining it wherever I drive. It is dolled up very nicely with pearl white paint and gold striping. I added a set of chrome wheels later on. The origial wheels looked almost plastic, very distasteful. However our salesman suggested we have the original ones chrome plated, well that was the iceing on the cake. Now you know why I enjoy driving my wifes SRX.

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  Just What I Was Looking For - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By PeterP - January 22 - 2:00 am

  Wanted a good, clean, used, hi- performance luxury car without paying Merc/BMW/Lexus prices. This car fits the bill and more. Very comfortable and fun to drive. Solid as a rock.