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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  Wow - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By jaydee - June 25 - 2:00 am

  While mindful of some of the minor quibbles other reviewers have had about this vehicle, the only one that I can really relate to is the design of the door sill and the interference in stepping out of the vehicle. Other than that this is truly a World Class car. Quality, performance, and workmanship are all outstanding. Cadillac is truly "breaking through." While the price is high, you get what you pay for. While fuel usage is a little high, what do you expect from an AWD 8 cylinder rocket? While the Navigation Display takes a while to get used to it is not as difficult as others would have you believe. GM and Cadillac have hit the mark with this car. WOW

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  Excellent - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By MY CAD CTS - June 25 - 2:00 am

  Have had the car for 1 week, excellent choice with the 3.6L V6, ride, handling, style, comfort, hardest part is learning about all of the gadgets, how to make them work, but that is not a problem, it is a pleasure to drive. On Star, the phone, and XM radio in additon to the 1SB package, with 6 disc Bose, and sunroof. Most fun I have had in my 40 years of driving, Thanks Cadillac.

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  Cadillac just added a WINNER to their bucket list. - 2017 Cadillac XT5
  By Ron L. - June 24 - 1:22 pm

  Picked up my new XT5 this past Saturday after doing much research and test driving. I was not even aware this model was being released by GM this early. Glad I stopped and looked, drove it and got hooked. In the past 3 weeks, tested QX5, RX350, BMW X5, GLE and GLS. Im very picky when it comes to attention to detail so I tested and looked at many vehicles. This XT5 is simply amazing for the value and the money compared to the Germans and Japanese brands. I have beeb leary about American cars ever since the bailout but tried them out again. Glad I did... Without rambling, and after driving all those other vehicles, Caddy was the winner , hands down. Handling , front, side and rear view amazing, quietness, power, etc were all as good as it gets in my opinion. I am not a brand loyal person as you can see but I would recommend anyone looking in this category to give the XT5 a good look. My ONLY picky complaint in the piano black entertainment system panel. It is a fingerprint magnet. Told you I was picky. If anyone has anyone particular questions , you can always ask. I will be really anxious to see what the National Crash Tests look like once tested. So far, I am thrilled with my decision

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  Love my cadilac car!!! - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Blondie - June 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is a joy to drive, is very elegant, and is a status car. However, this baby can drink some gasoline. So if youre gonna get a cad, a caddy, a cadilac car, please be prepared to shell out some money for gasoline.

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  Comfortable Over the Road Sedan - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By FredB - June 24 - 2:00 am

  I used to have a Saab Convertible, back in the day, and no car was more fun to drive than that one. But my Caddy is probably the most comfortable, and safe feeling, car I have ever driven. If I keep my speed under 70, my highway mileage is 28-30 mpg, and I cant complain about that.

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  The jurys still out - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By BWV565 - June 24 - 2:00 am

  After a horrendous experience with a 97 Catera (the CTS predecessor), I hesitated before buying the CTS but read great reviews and heard great things, so made the plunge. Black/black, Sports Luxury Package, Chrome wheels, tinted windows, etc., absolutely beautiful. One month into ownership, the DVD Navigation died. Fuel gauges inaccurate and fluctuate. Gas mileage is poor.

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  At first yes and now NO - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By ASUPATCH - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Have had numerous problems when I got it for a honda dealership the first 2 or 3 monthes I thought I got a steal. Have experience many problems since. Interiors light behind the panel go out. Cruise control is out. Tranny is starting to slip and the AC just died at 59Kmiles. If it were more reliable I would love it. But I am afraid daily the thing is going to brake down. Oh yeah I know have a small oil leak and the engine will occasionally smoke.

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  Great Dealership, Great SUV - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By Jaye51 - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Car is fun to drive. My only complaint is that the meaning of the buttons on the steering wheel should be written out as they are on our Buick and I would like to see thje speed shown in the windshield as it is with the Buick. The V6 engine is very rersponsive and has great power. The sun roof is great.

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  Loving It!!!! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By vme1976 - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I also drive a bigger SUV and was afraid I would feel cramped in this smaller vehicle but I dont feel cramped at all. I have room along with my passengers. Everything I need to use is right at my finger tips unlike in other cars I have driven. The get up and go on this car is great!! Ive actually been stopped by people thinking of buying a CTS and I havent had one bad thing to say about it.

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  DISAPPOINTMENT - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By JUDY - June 19 - 2:00 am

  IT ALL TOLD IN THE SUGGESTIONS TOO MUCH IS PLASTIC. FOR THE COST YOU DESERVE BETTER. ITS COPY CAT JAPAN