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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  Best money ever spent - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By gohoney - August 29 - 2:00 am

  We have thoroughly enjoyed this vehicle so far. The kids have enjoyed it and we are already ready for an ESV.

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  Escalade ESV TOPS - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By istanfield - August 29 - 2:00 am

  The drive is as smooth as the 81 Riveria,just like riding on a cloud. It has all the toys for the big boys. It has all the comforts of home with a smooth transmission and FAST pickup.

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  Superb Cadillac SRX - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Michael Z. George - August 28 - 2:00 am

  I am extremely pleased with this 2004 Cadillac SRX, including the favorable reactions that I get from friends and family alike.

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  RSX is Attention Getter /Fun to Drive - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Bob Carroll - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Have owned my RSX for almost 6 months....it has the mesh grill(s), color is smoked silver and it gets a lot of attention! Dealer is great to deal with too. The car (truck?) has great build quality and the seats are suppotive and quality leather. I have the nav/cd but no third row seat which I dont need. My car has the light neutral interior....a mistake on my part as the rugs get dirty real fast! I dont know how well they are selling but they are a rare sight on the roads around town.

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  Outstanding Utility with Class - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By mpick - August 27 - 2:00 am

  This Cadillac utility vehicle is fun to drive and very luxurious inside, while providing a lot of versatility. My family of five loves the car, including the teenagers who enjoy taking it out on Friday and Saturday nights to haul friends from the bowling alley to the drive-in theater. The ride is fantastic. The sound system is superb.

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  2000 STS - 2000 Cadillac Seville
  By mike6480 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is a fantastic vehicle. Bought used but low miles and in perfect condition. Power, Styling, Comfort, and features are world class and exceeded my expectations. Seems to be holding value very well relative to miles ( key is to keep miles on low average side ). Was disappointed with life of OEM Goodyear Eagles, just put new set of Bridgestone Turanzas on, can already tell difference in handling. If you can find a STS 2-3 years old with less than 30k mileage, BUY IT ! great car at half price of new.

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  Outstand Lux SUV - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By mark cicacci - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Gotta say this is one heckuva vehicle. Nothing beats the Escalade for moving the family around. Room for kids and dogs plus suitcases. Looks and drives outstanding!

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  Caveat Emptor - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Acadian - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car in March 2003...mechanically, very sound...however, after a couple of months, noticed that the digital clock in the dash was not synchronized with the analog clock in the instrument panel...returned the car and they replaced the "cluster"...couple of months later, same thing....replaced cluster again...now the same thing again but they have acknowledged that Cadillac will not replace (still in warranty)...also, you will note around the rear plate and backup lights a lens...when you wash the car, the lens allows water in...

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  A love-hate affair - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By chaplain - August 25 - 2:00 am

  Cadillac fiinally got it right with the new ones, then quit making them. One of the best cars Ive owned, but fraught with electrical problems, an engine that had to be replace at 40M, and ignition and air conditioning problems. In spite of it I am only reluctantly giving it up. If you can find one thats had all the bugs taken out, its a great car!

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  Personal use - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Debbie North - August 25 - 2:00 am

  I love the exterior styling. The vehicle still draws the attention of other people. Engine performance is outstanding. Plenty of power when needed. Easy to drive, easy to park. Good room for both front and backseat passengers. Interior styling is very attactive.