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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  Great decision...! - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By J - January 2 - 2:45 pm

  07BMW X3 to 10SRX. We too looked at Q5, GLK, MKX, RX. SRX has more content and offers more value. Fit and finish very good. Power is adequate for this type of vehicle. We have done a 1500M road trip and it was great. Around town it is perfectly fine..! Interior is really nice and better than all the others. You get more VALUE with Cadillac. All the others are ala-carte and add up too quickly. Cadillac targeted LEXUS and quite frankly it is no contest, the two dont compare. The SRX is hands down a better product overall. We really like our white/grey/chrome wheel, performance version, it was a great decision indeed. Its my ladies crossover and she is very happy. Wow..we have a Cadillac !

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  Not sure where to go from here... - 2005 Cadillac Escalade
  By Jim in SanDiego - January 2 - 12:52 pm

  10 years ago, my wifes dream car was the 2004 RAV4 L...Today, she now owns the 2005 White Diamond Escalade Rwd that she saw (and had to have) a successful drug dealer driving in an episode of Burn Notice. Even got comparable 22" chrome bling. It is, without question, the prettiest, beefiest, most noticeable production car on the road today, even after 10 years post-concept (first production version was model year 02). Now the problem is, without spending $100K+ on something really highend, what do we replace it with in 5-6 years? There is nothing even up to the 2012-hopper even comparable.

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  V8 Sport RWD...great used buy - 2007 Cadillac SRX
  By gwcpasrx - January 1 - 11:24 pm

  Bought used off lease from a used car lot. Needed utility, tow capacity, over 6200 GVWR for tax purposes. V8 RWD sport package/black is a great looking car. Previously had an Infiniti G35 rwd, and this car is close in perfomance, but I can tow my boats and have room in the back. Rear seat has been used for teenagers on an hour trip, and they didnt mind at all. I love driving this car every day at the price I paid used (about 50% less than new with 28K miles). Car is fast, will leave 2 stripes of rubber with locking rear. Did get stuck last weekend in soft grass...AWD would have been nice, but otherwise, I dont miss it.

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  1st Happy Cady Owner - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Cady Happy - January 1 - 11:06 am

  Read much about the lack of pick-up in t enew SRX. My suspencions are these are previous V-8 owners (massive SUVs). The car is great, corners great (beats our Pilot), interior is well designed and the CRV is such a joy to drive. So much technology, still learning after 1100 miles. By the way, stomp on the gas and the SRX does take off without hesitation. Its a CRV not a Vette!

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  Check Out the CTS, You Wont Be Sorry - 2010 Cadillac CTS
  By David - December 31 - 1:29 pm

  Let me first say that I have been looking for a really nice luxury sedan for some time. The cost of the Audi S4, A6, BMW 335I & Mercedes E350 are all very high for what you get. The ability to have it all and at a great pice was perfect for me. I used Hill Cadillac in Newtown Square PA. The entire buying experience was top notch. I highly recommend them to anyone. I had contacted Armen Cadillac about a CTS and they never even call me back. Their Loss!!! This car is amazing in styling, performance and luxury. I highly recommend it to any and all who want a great package at a great price.

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  two of a kind - 1993 Cadillac Deville
  By Joe Hale - December 31 - 9:00 am

  I first bought a 1989 coupe deville from my boss beautiful car it had 104,000 on it owned lincolns, corvettes, you name it i owned it this is the nicest car i ever bought until i bought a 1993 justy like it anyway when i sold the 1989 to a friend it had 292,000 miles on it and is still running today all i ever had to do to it was put tires and brake pads on it bought my 1993 with 40,000 miles on it it has 152,000 and have never done anything to it best cars iv ever owned beautiful to look at comfortable get 18.8 in town and 28,6 on the hwy remarkable vehical

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  Best in Class! - 2006 Cadillac CTS
  By lovely - December 27 - 6:18 am

  I have bought this car as a leased vehicle and it is the best car as far as fuel mileage, comfort and looks. It rides very smooth and have not had any problems when taken care of properly. I have not had any complaints and have since put on 17000 miles since I bought it 6 months ago, it still rides gracefully.

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  15 years of a GREAT CAR - 1995 Cadillac Seville
  By Carol Ditto - December 27 - 12:19 am

  I ordered her new in 95/have LOVED her ever since. She is still one of THE hottest driving & looking cars around (shale w/custom navy coach top & RR grille). I STILL constantly get compliments on her- even from the younger generation. Loaned her to my son/thought Id never get her back. Essentially routine maintenace with a few expected things now that she just turned over 100Kmiles & is just NOW after 15 YEARS due for her first tune up. In ALL OF 15 yrs, have replaced a/c compressor,1 set of brakes EVER,radiator core,water pump @ 70K miles& just recently, the transmission at99Kmiles/a brand new one cost 1700. - figure thats pretty cheap after 15 years of essentially trouble free driving! -

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  LOVE IT!!! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By jr512 - December 24 - 10:00 am

  This was a car purchased for my wife. She has a severe back problem and was looking for comfort and ease while having the room for 3 + children. As a BMW owner I rejoyced in knowing that my wife would no longer be taking my car instead of the minivan we had previously. Funny thing is, I find myself jumping into the Cadillac more often than my own car.

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  Luxury/Beefy Truck - 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By TerpsRno1 - December 23 - 4:06 am

  Solid built truck, with the luxury you can not add to any other truck. Downside is only aftermarket Bluetooth.