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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  NORTHSTAR OIL CONSUMPTOION - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By jr - March 30 - 2:00 am

  AFTER 45000 MILES THE CAR IS USING 1 QUART OF OIL PER 1000 MILES! THE CADILAC SERVICE CENTER HAS TOLD ME THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PERTAINING TO THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE. I AM NOW SCHEDULED FOR A GM AUTHORIZED "DECARBONIZATIN" SERVICE (ABOUT $500). ANYBODY ELSE?

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  The best car ever made!!! - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By Marketing Man - March 29 - 2:00 am

  That is the best car in the world and the most technologic. The Night Vision, Stabilitrack, park ride assist are just some examples. I had a Mercedes-Benz S600 in the past and the confort was too poor and the performance was less impressive that the DTS! Wow!!! Three months ago, I asked to a Mercedes-Benzs salesman what was the difference between this Cadillac and the S600 of Mercedes. He told me : You must be agree to pay 50 000 $ in more !!! I think that I will keep a Cadillac for the rest of my life.

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  Great SUV! - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By selective driver - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Top rate SUV. Best in its class. Extremely driveable for its size. Car has all the creature comforts of a cadillac and the power of a big tough truck. Handling is better than a range rover. I think GM got it right this time! Interior materials quality could be a little better for the price.

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  2001 etc - 2001 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Ron Cart - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The 2001 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe is the best looking car on the market today. Turn the key to start and you will immediately feel the quality of this fine car. Watch the tach to see if it is running. The starter hardly makes a sound. Acceleration and power are excellent. Drive it gently at freeway speed and gas mileage will be well above 20mpg. I owned a 93 eldo for over 4 years then sold to a neighbor. That was not a good move but now the new one I intend to keep at least the next 10 years.

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  Favorite Car - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By JBert - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable, powerful, and faster than my ML320

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  Has it all - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By caya - March 23 - 2:00 am

  The 1990 model is still competetive with current models.

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  SPORTY CADILLAC - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Day - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Underrated

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  Cadillac forgetaboutit - 2014 Cadillac Escalade
  By LgCrusher - March 21 - 7:24 pm

  Its a Caddy, dont sleep! If you are looking for a family SUV ala loading up kids and stuff maybe this is not it but if you are looking for a personal Exec type of ride then youve landed. Ive driven all the competition including the Rover which is not mentioned here and I came home to American made luxury. nuff said!

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  SRX - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Gordon Light - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Great car get one you wont be sorry

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  elated! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By lufta - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Finally I thought I would step into the "import arena", but I was wrong! I stopped at the Cadillac dealership "just to see" the new STS. I am glad I did. I love the ride, handleing, and looks. I applaud G.M. on their efforts.