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:
Showing 3331 through 3340 of 4,788.00-
TMS - 2004 Cadillac Deville
By Rick Stas - July 13 - 2:00 amThe car is comfortable and large, terrible paint quality ( fixed under warranty) Still not quite satisfied. tires had to be replaced at 500 miles because of bad vibration. Out of the Cadillacs I have had this 2003 deville seems to be the best feeling. The previous Devilles I have had steered like concrete trucks and left you tired after a road trip. The reason I buy these cars is because my wife likes them. Personally I would prefer a smaller quicker car. I have had 4 Devilles since 1992. and quite frankly the last two a 2001 and a 1998 were real garbage. This 2003 seems to be much improved.
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I love my Escalade - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
By Lorie - July 13 - 2:00 amI cant see another suv that I would be happy with. Ive looked at different suvs and still I love my Escalade!
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ESV is outstanding - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
By mikes truck - July 13 - 2:00 amOutstanding vehicle for a long drive. Very comfortable and user friendly. Good nav, great sound system, quality build.
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Cadillac Met Its Goal - 2003 Cadillac CTS
By Mike H. - July 12 - 10:00 amBeautiful automobile. Doesnt compare to any prior cadillac Ive owned. Handling and power are excellent. Luxury sport option is worth it. A very enjoyable automobile to drive. Has attracted more attention than any automobile Ive ever owned. Looks better than Mercedes and BMW.
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Best car I have ever owned - 2004 Cadillac SRX
By DenieG - July 12 - 2:00 amSRX has been the most favorite car Ive ever owned. Traded a Sedan Deville (high mileage) for a Yukon and put only 21,000 on it before trading back to the Cadillac SRX. The Customer Service is the BEST in the industry. Im spoiled rotten ! Thanks Crest Cadillac in Birmingham ! I love you guys !
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Cadi Luvr - 1996 Cadillac Deville
By Luv Cadis - July 12 - 2:00 amThe Deville is a great car. The performance is excellent and there is plenty of legroom. I bought it used with 46k on the odometer and not a scratch on it. The Northstar has more than enough power to get you to hi-way speed quickly. The seats are very supportive. The dash display gives all the information anyone could need on the cars status. Mine has the semi- convertible top and Cadillac chrome wheels. Cadillac for life.
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My 1992 Cadillac Seville - 1992 Cadillac Seville
By Ricardo Gueli - July 11 - 2:00 amMy Seville is so nice and a pleasure to drive. I am surprised the value of it is so low. It would be impossible to find a replacement without going to a Cadillac DeVille, costing $40,000. I like my car so much I wont get a new one. My wife and I drive it on trips and it is exceptionally comfortable, 27-28 mpg, and looks good. The car only has 93,000 miles so I am prepared to proudly drive it for many more years.
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Catera - 1997 Cadillac Catera
By Addam MacDonald - July 11 - 2:00 amCar has too many problems and too expensive to fix. I recently had to do some motorwork which ended up costing me $2,100. And 6 months later im having more problems with it.
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New Model Bugs - 2004 Cadillac SRX
By emlpal - July 11 - 2:00 amWith the Northstar V-8 and 320hp, this is a great performance SUV (built on a car platform, the CTS). As with most new models, there are some bugs: rattles in the retracting roof and passanger door and two small oil leaks which required a week to repair. The engine actually has to be dropped to make the repair. This drove the Cadillac mechanics to distraction. The repairs were completed and all is now well. A fun, convenient vehicle to drive, with outstanding accelleration and handling. The V-8 comes with all the bells and whistles. As one would expect from Cadillac.
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best of the best - 2004 Cadillac SRX
By mishal - July 11 - 2:00 ameverything car the best suv i bought
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