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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  earcad - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By fredneck - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Purchased Escalade ESV (long wheelbase) as replacement for older suv and car (2 vehicles)got all I bargained for and more. Roomy-stylish-practical-responsive More car for your dollar than any others, with nav, sunroof, mag wheels, three seats that adults can actually sit in w/o being cramped, firm road feel with all the safties, stabilitrak, levelride etc. Cad. did their homework.

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  Get Power and Comfort. - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By mLofton - July 5 - 2:00 am

  Every since I bought my Eldorado I have been comparing it to every car i ride in. I have yet to ride in a vehicle that combines power and comfort as well as the Eldo,( and my friends own BMWs and Mercedes.) All of my friends compliment me on the comfort of my Eldo. Its a great car to have if you desire comfort and power.

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  Escalade style - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By matthew hall - July 4 - 5:59 pm

  Love my escalade most of my car have been customized to make them suit my taste. The escalade is just right the way it comes. Great power and sound, yet quite and comfortable on the road. And with factory 22 wheels it comands attention where we go.

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  good car - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Craig A. Keto - July 1 - 2:00 am

  The car is excellent. Look at the leather compared to cheaper cars leather (even our 2001 Sable), its like comparing veal to steak. I think they used veal leather, heheh. Mine has the Bose stereo with cassette and cd, I dont even need to upgrade it. It shifts soft when I take it easy, hard when I want to haul, and when it downshifts at speed it is commanding. It has a 3.71 axle ratio but in overdrive I can cruise at 85 mph at right around 3000 rpm and get 20+ mpg. A near non-compromising luxury/performance mixture.

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  its about time - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By mills - June 30 - 2:00 am

  hey i stayed away from cadillac for over twenty years since they stopped the 79 seville and went to la la land building cadillacs so i went to mercedes benz and after five benzs later i came back to cadillac now i can finally say what my father said in the sixties with his cadillacs he owned he told people who didnt drive a cadillac but other brands of cars he would say IT ISNT NO CADILLAC lol to the none cadillac drivers who tried to say there car was as good

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  Outstanding American competitor - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Stephen W.J. - June 30 - 2:00 am

  This car is a constant pleasure to drive. Outstanding driving feel, beautiful new engine,(the 3.6L), and high content for the dollar. Interior materials feel better than they look, no Altima-like hard plastics... Everything feels high quality, perhaps it is the light shine coating GM put on everything that takes away from the look. Cant say enough about the new engine and transmission, I have never felt a more seamless auto in my life, this includes overrated BMW and MB. Couple small gripes--loose carpet near the driver right foot, but the dealer/GM will fix it no charge. Cant beat the domestics on rebates either. EXCELLENT first effort by GM here.

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  2002 STS REVIEW - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By David Hamilton - June 28 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Seville in 4 years. The build quality and lack of problems is greatly improved with my 2002 STS.

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  Nice Car - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By igalburt - June 27 - 2:00 am

  GOOD CAR WITH THE EXXCELENT SOUND SYSTEM AND WITH THE GOOD PERFOMANCE.

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  Top of the Line Avalanche! - 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Steve Hays - June 26 - 3:30 am

  Ive had two Avalanches before buying a Ford Super Duty for the diesel engine...what a mistake! Dont know if it was the new 08 diesel 6.4L or what, but fuel economy was miserable, 12mpg in town, 16mpg on interstate with no towing. I also missed the versatility of the Avalanche: side cargo bins, heavy duty covers, waterproof rear bed, and the expandable bed size. Not only that, but the EXT adds significant comfort and features: NAV, DVD entertainment, heated/cooled seats, luxurious and beautiful interior, and great looks. Take it easy on the gas pedal and youll be getting 15-16mpg in town, 20mpg on the interstate. Hauls tools, gear, toys, and projects with ease. The ultimate upgrade!

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  Lovin It! - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By kreem97 - June 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is extremely comfortable. The drive is so smooth. I have had issues but the dealership has eventually figured it out. Shortly after I purchased it used, the dealer replaced the engine. There have also been minor electrical glitches and the catalitic converter had to be replaced. Parts are never at the dealer so if a repair is needed it will definitely be more than one day.