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 Cadillac - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By BigMoe - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Had a 04 Denali XL, not real happy with that vehicle for the cost vs. workman- ship - received a nice deal on the EXT. only have put the first thousand but what a delight, GM can build a vehicle as good as any other country, this is my 40th new GM product and never happier with any before, was just about to go to the other side, thanks for the Cadallic EXT. First tank of gas was great, at least 2/3mpg better than the denali, same set up, better milage. Never expect real good milage with big vehicle, so happy when it happens.

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  What A Pain To Fix - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By Don Taylor - April 1 - 2:00 am

  The fan blower needed replaced, the North Star uses 1QT of oil every 1000 miles!! It is not burned or leaked out, Cold AC blowes out driver vents and extreme heat on passenger side!! Dealer cant find anything wrong?? Read a review where the rear axel can need $1500 in repairs at 65000, In turnes the wheel shudders, drifts on road from power shifts between front wheels,passenger side air-bag was recalled because of unintentional discharges,radio reception is terrible, GM should have gotten all of the problems worked out of this car before the 1999 end of production for this style. I know now why they changed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  catera 1998 - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By dwp - March 31 - 2:00 am

  I like the vehicle except for maintenance is very expensive. I also had a SAFETY incident where the front passanger seat caught on fire contacted GM and they were not willilg to fix it or look into the safety issue I am taking it to an independant dealer will take pick and get an estimate an well have to fight this one in court. My opinion GM as all american car makers lack committment and quality I would never purchase a GM product because of the above.....

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  Fun while it lasted - 1991 Cadillac Deville
  By BK111 - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought with 108K in 2000. Replaced brakes and master cylinder, egr valve. Car rode nice, a little squishy on bumps, and had great acceleration. Sound system very good. Always had a little tendency to wiggle in the front end on acceleration. After two years the front end problem got worse and the ac went out but I still drove it. It also developed an annoying rattle under the dash. Last 4 months around 135K it developed a "several cracks in the block, the tranny slips real bad and now Ive got water in the crankcase.My recommendation is if you want to save money buying a high mileage vehicle I would avoid Caddys. My next vechicle will be a Lincoln TC.

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  CANT PASS A GAS STATION - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By RUFUS - March 31 - 2:00 am

  MORE POWER THAN I AM USED TO IN A CAR BUT RIDES GREAT ON THE OPEN ROAD BUT IS HARD TO GET AROUND IN AN URBAN SETTING. THIS CAR IS BUILT FOR LARGE PEOPLE NOT SOME ONE MY SIZE.

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  2002 sts - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By D Marandolo - March 30 - 2:00 am

  handling and outside and inside appearance. rear leg room is very tight. Performance is outstanding.

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  Cadillac is on a ROLL with CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By andylibby - March 30 - 2:00 am

  CTS Luxury Sport model. Has ample accelleration, wonderful handling, and a comfortable interior. Quality of fit and finish as well as material choices is high.

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  Best Car ever!! - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By R Grimm - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 50 new cars. This DHS is the finest, most solid, easy to drive car ever built. I can hardly wait til the 2005 comes out to see how they can improve on a perfect car. Go get those J cars.

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  cadillac cts - 2005 Cadillac CTS
  By Richard Dennis - March 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is an excellant automobile. I have owned 61 different cars and I find this to be one of the best. The only negative I have found is the vision to the rear is very poor when backing up. Otherwise I would give this vehicle an A.

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  Superb Caddy - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By SLF - March 28 - 2:00 am

  This is truly my first Cadillac and Im in love with it.In fact I want to drive it all the time.For a car its size,it has an incredible smoothness and a very quiet engine.Not to mention the speed. It can kick like a sports car effortless.You talk about comfort,there is nothing like it.The high tech features are awesome with very easy controls.Im amazed at how spacious it is-leg and trunk room.I get lots of compliments about the style which is eye catching.A very classy car with style and elegance.I can go on and on because itsa great car.