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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  1994 Cadillac DeVille - 1994 Cadillac Deville
  By Emil - August 18 - 10:25 am

  It was very economic in highway... if you drive slowly (say at 55 mph), you can get even close to 28 mpg, unbelievable... I usually get around 22 in highway, because I drive at 70 and 75 mph. When I go really fast, it comes down to 20 mpg. In city, it depends, average I would say would be aroune 16, 17 which is not bad for a big car as a Cadillac.

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  I Actually Just Drove This New 2006 DTS! - 2006 Cadillac DTS
  By Harry, Irvine, CA - August 18 - 1:14 am

  I just drove the DTS at a dealer introduction drive in Irvine CA so I know what I am talking about. I was able to test drive this car even though I do not work for any dealer or GM. Cadillac has made many major new improvements with this car that goes way beyond just a re design of the front and rear exterior. The glass is thicker and laminated, with new structureless windshield wipers and many other body improvements to reduce outside noise. The improved suspension absorbs bumps better. This car now drives even smoother than the 2005 Lexus LS430! The DTS interior/exterior looks and feels more luxurious. DTS now competes better with the LS430! It even has new adaptive radar cruise control.

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  2005 Cadillac DeVille Limited - 2005 Cadillac Deville
  By Im4Wine - August 17 - 1:27 pm

  This car is a dream to drive. Even though I have only had it for 2 months, I have taken it on several trips out of town. The city mileage could use some help. The only complaint I have is with the poor design of the seatbelts. I am a short person (55") and I find that the seatbelt hits me across the neck. It is not adjustable, as it comes out of the top side of the seats. They work fine for my husband, but he is 64". In other cars we have owned, you had a slide feature to raise or lower the seatbelt. I have raised my seat, but that is not enough to help. This could be a safety issue if you are in an accident. Other than that I love my DeVille.

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  A Great Car - Fun to Drive - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By LeeRoyLRT - August 16 - 11:07 pm

  This is one fine automobile. Quality inside and out. Very quite with great performance. Finally a true sports car with luxury. I love the crash avoidance system, yes you may call it cruise control, but on the way home from a trip and it senses vehicles in front of me in a torrential down pour and I am only going 47 mph and I cant see them. I think much more highly of this option than of normal cruise control. Go GM, especially Cadillac.

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  2006 Cadillac Escalade - 2006 Cadillac Escalade
  By escalade - August 16 - 4:17 pm

  The Cadillac Escalade is one the best vehicles that I have owned in my lifetime. The quality and performance are both there. Its gas milage not that bad. I would like to see next generation of this model because I will by another.

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  Love my DTS! - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Teresa - August 16 - 2:42 am

  I have always had Cadillac Sevilles, this is my 1st DeVille. I love the interior of the DTS it reminds me of the Seville.

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  Love my SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Jo Ann - August 15 - 12:36 pm

  Since I already owned a Cadillac SLS and a small motor home for traveling, I purchased the SRX for the utility aspect that I needed, instead of a small pickup truck. With the 3rd row seats folded down, the SRX gives me plenty of room to haul small to medium loads. I disagree with Edmunds review of the inside. The wood trim inside as well as the GPS makes my SRX look very impressive. All my friends are blown away by the appearance of the inside as well as the body style. It is the best handling vehicle I have ever owned. It has quick response, excellent stability control, automatic all wheel drive drive in case I get stuck in the Florida sand. Ultra view moon roof is such a luxury.

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  I Love My SRX! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Angel Saraniero - August 15 - 10:33 am

  I traded in a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C320 for this vehicle. We needed more room because we just had a new baby and all the car seats wouldnt fit. I also wanted something with better handling in the winter than the Mercedes. So I picked the SRX-we added the dual DVD players-so the kids would be thrilled. I got the car with the AWD, which will be great in these harsh upstate NY winters. The only thing I really dislike is the horrible gas mileage. We have taken a few highway roadtrips, and are only averaging 17 mpg highway. Other than that this car is just like an SUV, more room, great layout, family friendly and the sunroof is amazing! I read some reviews here before I bought the SRX and these helped decide me!

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  Completely Satisfied - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By jjmd - August 15 - 8:54 am

  This automobile has it all. It has plenty of room for the family, yet is loads of fun to drive. The acceleration and handling are like that of a much smaller car. I am sold on the Cadillac brand now and I was quite skeptical when I purchased the car.

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  A Cadillac for the Future - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By TennMan1 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This car handles like a dream. It has plenty of acceleration to stay out of trouble when passing, or getting into trouble on the open road. Gas mileage suffers a little for a 6 cylinder engine, however, I am not sure that the fun acceleration (which entices a heavy foot if you have one)is more the culprit. The 2004 with the increased hp will truly make this car a world-class contender with such cars as BMW, Accura, Infinity and Lexis.