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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  Leather but will all the Squeaks - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Reproman - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Hard to believe that after all these years GM cannot build a dashboard that does not squeak! Not as noisy as my benchmark 74 Camaro, but cant the imports teach Detroit a thing or two in building a $62k car? The drivers door when slammed sounds like my old 85 K5 tailgate-like something is loose and broken inside. All these were present since purchase. Interior leather is excellent but lets add the standard Cadillac rain sensor, not the Chevy wiper delay. And how about he seat massager like the DTS? Great overall look but too many places to clean-how about moving the gaskets closer to the outside as to limit dirt from getting into so many panels?

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  GENERAL - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By GENRAL2121 - June 28 - 2:00 am

  SAFE, SLEEK, DEPENDABLE, GOOD FUEL ECONOMY COMPARED TO SMALLER SUVS

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  Better than expected - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By LeeReavis - June 28 - 2:00 am

  We needed something to transport my handicapped wife and her electric three- wheeler. The ESV Escalade far surpassed our expectations. It is comfortable, powerful, smooth and easily swallows her alternative transportation. We have averaged 15-16 MPG in town and 17-18 MPG on the road at 75MPH, A/C on. I will not buy another car without the GPS NAV system and Satillite radio. We are spoiled rotten!

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  1 - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By ABLE - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Great ride, car laid out really well on the interior.

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  2nd EXT Ive Owned.... - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By gdreed - June 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the second EXT Ive owned. I previoulsy had a 2002 model, and recently took advantage of the 0% financing to get a newer one. These are fantastic vehicles, especially for those of us who need an upscale people hauler for work (sales), and a utility vehicle for the family and play (camping, boating, etc.). I considered the Hummer H2 SUT, but for the up-scale looks and especially gas mileage, the EXT has it beat hands- down. Cadillac got it right!

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  A great alternative... - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By berne1 - June 27 - 10:00 am

  This is a great alternative to the usual suspects (3-Series, C-Class) with stand-out styling and performance to match. Cadillac really got this one right. The engine is flexible with lots of torque AND loves to rev. 5-spd auto is so smooth. This car has great turn in and response to input. Its roomy enough for two kids in car seats in back. I love the styling, although I know this is polarizing design. Ive gotten lots of "thumbs-up" and compliments in parking lots. Growing up with imports, I decided to take a look as Id heard great things about CTS. I could not be happier with my vehicle choice. RWD is back and Im lovin it!

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  The Best - 1990 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Grambling Tiger - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The Best Caddy ever

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  Tara is a fun to drive car - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By adelle - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I wish I had purchased Tara new. I know that the previous owner did not love her as I do, so did not take perfect care of her. I have tried to make up for this. She only has had minor problems but if you go to the wrong repair place life is hell. She needs dealer service, but so does any other luxury sports car. When you are driving this car it feels like you should be on the autobond...... She is a fast, very responsive car indeed. I wish the milage was lower as I drive alot and that takes down the value. She is garage kept and very loved. I cant believe how economical she is on gas. That helps in todays gas prices. I only hope others love their Taras as

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  2004 SRX V8 AWD - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By M. ORourke - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I have owned the car for 1 month and find the performance all they promised and more. V8 power,handling etc. are all top notch. Seats, interior trim and materials are not bad but a few notches down from BMW. The entire package lacks the refinement of the European counterparts but Cadillac is learning. Ultraview is great but the sun screen shutters wildly at even 40 mph. The high belt line gets some getting used to. You kind of feel like you are in the bottom of a bucket and the sharp angled front door shape can be dangerous, my wife ran into it the first time she tried to get into the drivers seat. Just looking at the car now gives her a headache.

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  ESV - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By EdwardD908 - June 26 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle put the corsa exhaust system should be standard equiptment