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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  New STS Rocks - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By bds - June 2 - 2:33 pm

  I recently bought a new STS V8 AWD. Compared to the competition (Mercedes, Lexus) it was equal in performance, finish and fit. It exceeds the Lexus LS 430 in that its handling sports car like. It would cost $10,000-$15,000 more for similiarly equipped Lexus or Mercedes. I like everything about it except that the gas fill is on the passenger side. Fast, quiet, responsive and luxurious. Bottom line: it is the best value you can get in a luxury vehicle and it is definitely not your daddys Caddy.

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  Birthday Present from Wife - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Charley Dickey - June 2 - 1:21 pm

  I love 2005 Cadillac XLR. I can change it from hard top to convertible at a stop light! It is a pleasure to drive. Unfortunately, its luggage space with the top down is practically nil.

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  Standard of the World - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By Aboody - June 2 - 1:55 am

  Cadillac is definetly back in the game with this new STS. From the great looks to the great interior, to superior technology. I have had the car for two months and its great. No problem at all. This is the third Cadillac to be part of our family, and every year they keep on getting better. They have all been great, and no problems at all. Cadillac has really silenced the streotypes. If your looking for a car make sure to test this one out. It blows away all the other midsize cars, whether it be BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Infiniti, or Jaguar. Excellent Car, worth every penny, as were all the other Cadillacs we have. Why settle for anything but the standard of the World?

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  My 2003 Escalade - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By John Gentile - June 1 - 8:17 pm

  The only thing that has gone wrong for me is the front seat has poped off twice. The bottom of the seat material pops away from frame of seat and makes a loud noise every time. I do not care about the milage. I think it is fine for the weight of the car. I love my Escalade. I think Cadillac has got it right. It handles like a dream and turns on a dime. I love the interior but the clock is a little loud. I had a blowout on the freeway while on vacation with my family. The stability Track worked perfect and did not pull stopping straight as an arrow.

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  Great Truck - 1999 Cadillac Escalade
  By Thomas39 - June 1 - 4:10 pm

  This vehicle is very reliable, 104k miles on it and runs like new. The most notable thing about this vehicle is how stable it is, note that this is an older generation SUV without stability control or other systems. It looks like it would have bad handeling given its size but it dosnt. Also the turning radius is outstanding. It does lack some key features like auto climate control and a sunroof.

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  Best SUV on the road - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Bob Vanard - June 1 - 1:58 pm

  The Escalade was purchased for the style and comfort. The ride is compared to riding your living sofa with wheels. Sure some of the interior plastic is cheap looking but I did not buy it for the interior appearence, We enjoy the looks and ride, I like to sit above the traffic and see whats ahead of me with the Escalade, I have the best SUV on the market. Im one proud owner.

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  SRX Equals Fun - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By jim - June 1 - 1:14 pm

  The SRX handles like a luxury sedan. The V8 engine is fast in its response and you can not tellhow fast your going as the handling is flawless. The SRX offers great visiability looking forward but has some interference due to third row headrests. The leather seats are adjustable to accomadate any size driver comfortably. The controls and guages are also conveniently displayed. The vehicle does lack some convenience storage space compared to other vehicles I have had. The up side is that I do not keep things in the vehicle I do not need for months on end.

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  Love it! Turns lots of heads! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By pasquale - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the car drives as nice as it looks. Not your typical Cadillac ride, but instead a very sporty, responsive feel. Its obvious that the engineers took this into consideration. The car also seems like it is built very solid.

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  I Love it! - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Chris - May 31 - 9:04 pm

  Hands down the best car I have driven. It has a very smooth and refined ride as well as an elegant design. The car is not afraid to move, when you floor it be ready for what it does. The Eldorado is just as fast as a V8 Mustang or Camaro. That being said, in town milage is poor but if you use the cruise on the highway and keep it to 80, you can see as much as 25 to the gallon.

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  second one - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By howdy - May 31 - 1:59 pm

  I enjoyed my first Cadillac XLR, a 2004 model, so much that traded it in for a new 2005 model! I have been a Chevrolet Corvette nut for many years (from 1965 on - and have owned several). The XLR fits better for comfort and style. Instead of the old Corvette wave, the XLR demands the ogle of admiration from those who see it on the road. There still are not very many out there.