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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  EXCELLENT SUV /More than Happy Consumer - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By Mrs. Powell - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This car rides and controls well, even in times where quick thinking and handling became a necessity. The look catches the eye of many - the upgrades make my vehicle more attractive than it already is - the drive is smooth and quite. There has never been a more luxurious car Ive owned all across the board. Signed, One More than Satisfied Consumer

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  Awesome American Car - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By c6vette - November 21 - 11:29 pm

  Ive now owned my car for about a year and a half. Ive put almost 23K miles on it and I still love it as much as the day I got it. The ride is amazing. I have the FE-3 performance suspension with summer tires and it rides firm with tons of feedback but still is smooth for the most part. Its such a blast to fly through a turn in this car and its incredibly stable. The car quality is first rate and the materials feel great. My only issue with the car is that if you push on some of the plastic in the center stack it creaks, which it also does if you go around a turn fast. Otherwise the car is very tight and well made. Overall I love it.

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  Very nice ride - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By HBG - November 20 - 12:01 pm

  Picked up my 2010 in late October. Already have a 09 SRX, but the 1010 and just a little nicer on all levels.Build quality, fun to drive, interior, exterior all a 10. The SRX stand out from the crowd. If your thinking about a SUV put this at the top of your list and take it for a ride.Very nice ride.

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  CTS leaves some things off - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Jack Watters - November 20 - 10:00 am

  After getting use to more engine noise and tighter suspension and steering Ive begine to like to drive this car. BUT Caddy left some things out: the glove box light with no option for one and the right hand wiper stalk is too close to the steering wheel. Its too easy to start the wipers when you dont want to. They also decided that double sun visors for forward and side werent necessary. WRONG! It would also have been nice if the insterment panel had back lighting all the time. It is hard to read driving into the sun with no back light. Rough pavement noise is louder than it should be for a Caddy.

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  Almost Perfect - 2010 Cadillac SRX
  By Car Crazy - November 20 - 7:09 am

  At 22 years old and spending all my money on the vehicles i drive, and after owning a fully loaded lincoln aviator for the last 4 years i can say this is what a luxury suv should be. The motor is a little underpowered so i out in an intake and a turbo. Now i can fly by anybody else on the road. The fit and finish are perfect, the road noise doesnt exist, adn its smooth. I average 28/29 mpg and i drive hard. Ive only had the Caddy for a month, put on 9000 miles but its still like the day i drove it off the lot. My only recommendation for Caddy would be to get rid of the 3 litre and use the 3.6 from the cts, and make the 2.8 the base engine.

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  Better with each passing mile - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By Super High Mile STS - November 17 - 10:20 pm

  Love this Caddy! Bought it with 167K on the clock. No leaks! Runs strong and 18.5 mpg city and 26 hwy! Can you beleive it? Great inside and out. I have never loved a car this much! Slate Gray exterior on light beige leather. Every conceiveable option except a sunroof. North V8 best engine around! Deep throaty sound upon acceleration. Still a head turner...

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  Fantastic & Reliable - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By Jo Ann - November 17 - 1:11 pm

  I have driven my STS for the past 7 years. Thank goodness its fast since I do a lot of driving to the Delaware shore. Unfortunately, this car got caught in the recent flooding and it is now totaled. Great performance car, and am sorry to see it go.

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  Love My Eldorado - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By EldoradoGal - November 16 - 11:31 am

  My husband bought this car new for me in 2002 always wanted an Eldorado. Best car Ive ever owned and have no plans on getting rid of it anytime soon as since day one it runs like a dream is comfortable and elegant.

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  Love my Cadi - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By successman - November 16 - 2:00 am

  Just got the car and went on a road trip of about 1700 round trip. I was in an accident I hurt my back and my STS was damaged so that I was not going to see it again. Paul Conti in Westbury NY saved me got me into an SRX quickly and with a reasonable deal. The drove like a dream. The heated seats were like therapy and seat allowed my back to be straight so that I could drive several hours at a time.

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  Love this car - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By cwbbcc - November 16 - 2:00 am

  After downsizing from a Sequoia and Expedition, this is the best SUV I have driven yet! The memory of the seats and pedals are great. The heated seats and the way the seats go back when you open the door are a plus. I am thrilled!