Cadillac Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.42/5 Average
4,788 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 2871 through 2880 of 4,788.00
  • What are you waiting for . . . - 1999 Cadillac Seville
    By -

    If youve never driven one of these beauties, I suggest you do so. They are so awesome, you might never sit on your couch again. I feel like royalty cruising in this machine. The worst part is arriving at your destination.They are one of the best cars for the money. Buy it used and you wont get the beating. These cars are priced to sell when they get turned in. Most of the original owners didnt know how to smoke the tires, so they are barely broken in. My STS loves to go, and you dont even feel like you are moving. Despite the rumors of the faulty engines and bad transmissions, ive never had a problem with either!

  • Beautiful Junk - 1998 Cadillac Seville
    By -

    If only the reliability was there, it would be a great car. All of those electronics keep failing and for example, the various computer modules cost $500 and up, and they keep failing, one-by-one. If you set aside three or four thousand a year for repairs, youll be fine. It is fun to drive but I keep thinking of whats going to break next, so I grit my teeth, just trying to make it from one point to the next without the car conking out, and it takes all the fun out of driving it.

  • Great car - 2005 Cadillac STS
    By -

    Great car, love to drive it. Best car Ive ever driven. Quiet, great ride. I like the handling on back roads. Fuel mileage is good, not great. Love the Bose sound system. The V6 has plenty of power.

  • DHS vs DTS - 2005 Cadillac Deville
    By -

    I turned in a 2002 DHS for the sportier 2005 DTS. The surprise was that the DHS although having less HP was a quicker car. The torque output of the DTS is much less. I should have bought the DHS again. One of my favorite cars ever. The new A/C in the seats is very cool as is the satellite radio. These are great cars and discounted heavily from sticker price.

  • Best Escalade Yet - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
    By -

    With the exception of the poor fuel milage (with the most powerfull V8, what do you expect?) this is the most capable luxury SUV on the market today.

  • Comfort Exemplar - 2005 Cadillac SRX
    By -

    After driving a Jeep for several years, the Cadillac is very comfortable and we feel well worth the money spent. The Northstar engine is smooth and from all indications one of the best on the market.

  • STS AWD - 2005 Cadillac STS
    By -

    I love this car. What a amazing ride. Outstanding technology inside the vehicle for a great experience. Better then BMW and Audi hands down. I still cant believe how awesome this car is. Cadillac has its own unique feel which I applaud them for!

  • Cadillac XLR - 2005 Cadillac XLR
    By -

    I have previously owned Lexus products including the SC430 and I feel that the Americans, specifically Cadillac have hit the mark on the XLR. It is more powerful, more advanced and certainly more fun to dry than the Lexus. This is remarkable considering that the Lexus is one of the best cars in the world. I feel that the XLR proves that American automakers can, when they want, build a car that is second to none.

  • This was the one - 2004 Cadillac SRX
    By -

    The ride and handling is supurb. I love the feel of luxury and sport all in one package with enough room for my needs. Kids love the DVDs. Once I drove it I was hooked.

  • Image & Reality - 2005 Cadillac CTS
    By -

    I havent owned my Cadillac for a long period but the time I have, it has been amazing. Its quiet luxury with a kick. Its enjoyable to ride without out all the city noise. A true joy ride!

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