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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  great car - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By joeygiut - November 28 - 2:00 am

  best car ive ever driven- great milage- worth every penny

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  $$$$$$$$$ - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By J.D.Loud - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I have loved this car for the last 4 years!! and then the extended warranty ran out!! Just got it back after a transmission overhaul at 64,000 miles. My last two Cadillacs had far more miles and no problems. Mechanic told me the North Star has oil leaking problems, as does mine. Think its time to switch.

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  Great - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By Natedoggnt - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR

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  catera review - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By mach2rio - November 26 - 2:00 am

  We have had nothing bue excellent service from our Catera. Personally, I feel that the auto people of the world initially gave the car a bum rap and just could noe bring themselves to admit they were wrong. Such as the editors review here on the Edmunds site. The only thing my wife does not like is having a CD changer in the trunk.

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  Muscle car? - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By peatea - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 1995 Polo Edition Eldorado about 6 weeks ago through ebay. This car is a bit different than most Eldorados because of the Polo edition equipment. It is, of course, Polo green. It has a fake convertible top with embroyderen Polo Edition logo on the sides of the foof. The seat head rests are also embroydered with a wreath and logo. It has a chrome logo on each front fender that says "Roadster". The grill consists of vertical chrome bars and it has aun/moon roof. It is in beautiful condition.

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  Great Car - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Supamonk - November 24 - 2:00 am

  When looking for a new luxury vehicle this turned out to be the best one. Mercedes and Lexus are much more expensive at the dealerships and come with far less features. The interior is much more comfortable and the exterior is more attractive as well. Another thing is that it is a GM vehicle.GM is a high quality, and its domestic too. After all the ordeals with Fords every car we now own is GM.

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  08 CTS - new standard for the world - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By 08 CTS - well done ! - November 23 - 9:30 am

  My 2005 CTS was a step up from my two previous STS Caddies. Build quality was excellent and I experienced only minor repairs over 35,000 miles. It still is a real "looker". But my new loaded Crystal Red 08 CTS is about the most perfect car I have ever had. It blows away just about every BMW, Audi and Mercedes on the road today. It is stunningly beautiful, excellent fit and finish, with options galore and the handling is remarkable. The styling and performance improvements in the 08 are obvious, but it is the subtle nuances and thoughful engineering that make the car a standout for me. I cant tell a Lexus from a Camry until up close, but theres no mistaking this Caddy at any distance !

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  Our Seville - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By DesrtDrmr - November 23 - 2:00 am

  We have had no problems with this vehicle. We had an STS before this, but like the roominess of this one. It feels like it has just as much pick up as the STS, but it doesnt go quite as fast. Comfort is outstanding. We have a lot of company, and this is a perfect car to take people around in.

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  Ford Escape - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By NUTCRAKKER - November 18 - 10:00 am

  it has a really nice ride and is loved by everyone in the family especially me.

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  sassy caddy - 1990 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By heartdoc - November 17 - 2:00 am

  i must say that ownership of this auto has been very pleasent.having owned other flagship cars,this caddy stands out in top form.the ride is excellant,and the handleing very respectful for a large auto.seating is comfy,as a caddy always offers.however,the most noteable feature is performace.the 4.5 v-8 takes no prisoners.it is quite powerful,and totes the caddy to the speed limit and beyond very quickly.some peppy small car traffic-light racers get red faced when this caddy shows its muscle.