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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  Nice but move on... - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By stsnotagain - October 26 - 2:00 am

  I always liked Cadillacs since I use to work for the dealership. I finally got a used STS in so to be great shape. Gorgous car with all the luxury and rides great. But beware of all the little things that WILL go wrong and will be expensive to repair. I bought mine one day and the next day the water pump gave out. $250 later from the Caddy dealer I had it back. After owning for about 3 weeks now and only 250 miles...half block seal needs replacing at $1900! Rack and pinion,struts,power window switch,still leaks antifreez and check engine light is now on for emissions. I would just look and avoid this car. These are known problems and thats coming from a ASE Master Tech from a Cad dealer!!!

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  Not so great - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By nomoreCad - October 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car for trip purposes and it rides well. Great power from the Northstar. Less than a year later Im ready to get rid of it. Alot of problems with this car which will cost you dearly at the dealership!! You pretty much have to carry around several courts of oil since it does eat it often. Numerous problems with sensors and electrical gremlins and suspension. Its fools gold....avoid it!!

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  No-Comprimises - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By secondtimothy - October 25 - 10:00 am

  Upon trading in my Geo that I had driven for eight years, I was ready to buy a no compromises car. Also since 9-11, I wanted to buy American. I wanted something diffrent from the Blase Accord/Camry solid sedans and I wanted hi-tech. I got everything I was looking for in the CTS. The handling is what surprised me the most. I love the nav system and voice recognition controls. I smile everytime I sit behind the wheel.

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  Great SUV? - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By SRX-ER - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Cadillac I have ever owned and by far the best car Ive ever owned. I have 12,000 miles on the car and have not had a problem. We took a 2,000 mile trip and we were in the car for 15 hours. When I got out of the car, I felt great. A great highway vehicle as well as an around towner. Way to go Cadillac. Made in the USA!!!

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  CTS beats BMW - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By James Evans - October 23 - 5:46 pm

  My new CTS is awesome! Ive had it for just about a month and now have 2K miles on it. Its a thrilling ride and looks gorgeous. When I bought my CTS I researched and test drove all the major competitors (BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C Class, etc.) and the CTS beat them all in drive, HP, leg room (Im 6 2" and have enough room to even sit in the back) and in looks. This is my first Caddy but wont be my last.

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  Seville SLS - 2004 Cadillac Seville
  By BillsOwl - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Great car....love its styling.....sorry to see it is being replaced.....Seville name is a classic

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  value of 2003 - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By ed harlow - October 23 - 2:00 am

  This is just a great value car. Great milage and the one warranty item was handled very well by dealer. I am thinking of buying a 2005...but this one is so good I just may keep it.

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  Worst suspension and handiling - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By ALEX H. - October 23 - 2:00 am

  Worst suspension and handiling ever expierienced. Vehicle throws you off road when riding over a small pothole.At 23000 miles transmission had to be rebuild, consitant problems and having to send back to dealer. Power on vehicle is to much for the poor handiling and suspension. Vechile is to overrated.

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  This is fun - 2005 Cadillac XLR
  By Jo Ann - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I have been a Cadillac Girl for 15 years, but this is the first time I have fallen in love with my car. What fun!!!

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  unsatisfied customer - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By tammy spencer - October 21 - 2:00 am

  When i purchased my escalde i was informed it had a dvd entertainment center in it and once the sell was complete i found out that they sold me a vehicle that did not have one so the sales people are selling a vehicle that they know nothing about. Also i bought a interior cleaning and stain guard when i picked up my vehicle from haveing it serviced at bill cookes which also included the under rust proofing i was shocked to find my vehicle in such awful shape that i was upset with them and will never return when i contacted caddilac inc they did nothing about my complaint of the dvd entertainment center. so my complant is that they should not sell a vehicle