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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  Fit for a Prince!!! - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Prince Nicholas - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Top of the line of SUVs. We must have test driven all of the luxury SUVs. This went above all of our expectiations. We love it. Great for a family. VERY SAFE!!!The ride is totally perfection. Gas mileage is better than one expects with a V8. No matter where the location...No problem with durablity on rural country roads or the daily commute. The dealership service makes you feel special.

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  No reliability - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By Brian Kass - March 6 - 2:00 am

  When most everything starts to wear out after only four years and 60,000 miles you know that you either have a lemon or there is a reliability issue. Brakes are terrible. They wear out too fast--pads and rotors and for four wheel disc they do not stop the vehicle like they should. The engine uses too much oil. Air conditioner, radio antenna, electronic level control, door locks, door window motor, egr valve, and the list goes on and on. We even had the driver side headlight lens blow off while going down the highway.

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  PLEASANTLY SURPRISED - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Demetry - March 6 - 2:00 am

  I did not intend to purchase an Escalade. After driving it and thoroughly comparing it with Navigator and Mercedes, I can honestly say it is a the best of the three. The only negative problem I have had has been some rattling, unavailability of rear cargo mat and lack of storage room when the thrid row seats are in place. I would purchase another one.

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  Best hunt, fish, farm cadillac ever - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By zippy - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I changed the tires to good off-road tires. I use it to hunt, fish, work on farm and go to church. It runs like a Corvette, rides like a Cadillac and I have never been stuck. I love this vehicle for rough use during the day and smooth comfort after hours. Thanks Cadillac for my favorit 4 wheel drive in the 32 years I have owned 4 wheel.

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  Love 6.0 V8 !!! - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By accb - March 3 - 2:00 am

  Yes, it IS a behemoth, but it has the attitude and power to back it up! The ride is smooth and driving is effortless. Now if Cadillac could finesse the interior and dash....it would be a 10 all around!

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  escalade - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By roy c - March 3 - 2:00 am

  styling is excellent. hp is very good.

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  Gibby - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By hgdfsd - March 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is off the hook

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  Atlantis Escalade - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By AStenson - March 3 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a pleasure to drive. This is my 2nd Escalade, and before that I had a Range Rover. It is way better than the Range Rover, in everyway except the brakes. The Range Rover was a most uncomfortable car, and this is the complete opposite. I love it, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a pricey SUV.

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  A pleasant change.... - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Bill Glynn - March 3 - 2:00 am

  Having driven a Mercedes ML 320 for the past 5 years, this car is a step into a first class, futuristic machine. Great ride, unbelievable luxury in the interior, and all the toys..PLUS a fantastic sound system. I am pleasantly surprised by the excellent gas mileage this 8 cylinder power engine gives. Cadillac is back!

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  RYMATT - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By RYMATT - March 3 - 2:00 am

  THE BEST SUV I HAVE EVER OWNED.IT IS A WHAT THEYADVERTISE AND MORE.BUY IT NOW!!!!