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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  DTS - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By persona - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Best car I have ever owned, import or domestic.

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  An elegant 2 dr. - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Ruth E. - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because I always liked the design of the Eldorado and seeing that this was its last year. I figured that I better get one now new . I love the styling and ride of my Eldorado.

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  great suv - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By robc - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Dont even consider buying ANY import suv until you drive the ESCALADE.This is the most impressive domestic car since the introduction of the Corvette.

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  My CTS!! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Jes Me - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Up until9-30-03 I wasonly driving Lincolns but had kinda gotten over them for they were NOT what i wanted anymore BUT this little CTS is wonderful!!!! it is great on gas,fun to drive,and is very sleek in its looks,Cadillac you have finally done it!!a sporty car like the Seville STS but without the size and the bulk or the big price so Thanks Cadillac!!

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  jay - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By jon1 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my vehicle for 3 months and am very pleased with it

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  Good ride, But it would goes BOOM - 1993 Cadillac Seville
  By man - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Great riding car I enjoy the powerful motor. But the fuel injection continues to explode. And cadlilac tech could not tell me why but they charged me $1800. to put some type of kit on the fuel injection housing. But it still back fires while starting.

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  Great Car - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By PAB - April 8 - 2:00 am

  The large 1997 and earlier Seville is a smooth operating machine that is fast and comfortable. The gas milage is excellent on the road and the car just floats along. The time to buy one of these cars is now because of the huge hit the market has had. The lower the miles the better. Remember however that at 100,000 miles the car is just due for its first tune-up. The only real weakness that I see is the need to replace some very high priced struts when the car reaches about 70k.

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  SRX GM did it right - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By DJR - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I have owned several SUVs, both forign and domestic (including the Mercedes ML320). The SRX is the best all around Vehicle I have owned. Power is just right with the V-6. Comfort is tops with a smooth ride, but a firm- sporty feel. The SRX sits lower than most SUVs, giving me the confidence to toss it into a corner without fear of tipping. Interior is pleasant; seats handled a 750 mile trip with no discomfort. All in all, this is GMs finest hour.

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  My Sixth Cadillac - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By James R. Kilpatrick - April 6 - 2:00 am

  With todays technology, I dont understand why premium fuel is required when my previous Fleetwood Brougham 5.2 required low grade fuel. Todays premium gas is not cheap.

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  CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By William Budzinski - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive! Great acceleration. not your typical Cadillac