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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  HYBRID cadillac Escalade - 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid
  By Jennifer - December 12 - 5:01 pm

  I was the second owner of my 2009 cadillac hybrid escalade, I have not enjoyed a suv of this size as much as this escalade ,it is still so classy looking it turns heads , love to drive it in any weather, handles snow with features like dial in 4 high 4 low and All wheel drive and hugs the mountain roads , I regularly carpool kids to sports in and out of state & love the comfort for all ages accommodates my husbands 64 height w ease & a car full of people seats 8 ,still has room for moderate storage in trunk fully seated but any large luggage I have a travel case for roof rack , great gas mileage the Hybrid module recharges when you brake , the sound system & television are outstanding I have owned several suburbans as well as a Mercedes suv but this is my favorite.

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  Great car! - 1993 Cadillac Seville
  By Lovely Lois - December 11 - 2:00 am

  This has been the most reliable car we have ever had. It is ten years old and we havent had any problems with it. We get our standard oil change and thats all. It still looks great and drives great!

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  Car salesmens review - 1992 Cadillac Eldorado
  By cadillacthrills - December 9 - 2:00 am

  The designers of the 1992 cadillac eldorado saw into the future. The crisp rectangular styling of rear end is just now being picked up by manuafatures like BMW and Daimler-Chrysler. Drivers and passengers will confuse the 1992s interior for that of a much newer car. The Eldorado borrows much of its classy, yet agressive, styleing from the Pininfarina designed Allante. As far as mechanical dependability the car is average to below average. Most note worthy are problems with the transmission and air ride suspension. I feel they are an even trade off for the cars style and comfort.

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  Cadillac Catera - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By bkc - December 9 - 2:00 am

  The transmission shifts constantly the engine leaks oil the brakes squeak, the vehicle performs horrible when cold. All of the other things about this car I have read were true. Save yourself the trouble and stay away from these vehicles.

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  Finally I bought a domestic lux car - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By hog4la - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This SUV is great car to drive around. Good size for our new baby, but fun to drive around. Built and finish quality is par with German and Japanese car we drove. Very suprised on its capability to handle on the road. We were really out of Cadallic ordinary customers. The GM credit card rebate plus $1500 rebate really made the deciding point. This SUV is not on the top of every category, but everything is near perfect. Want to find out couple years later what the quality will be. If it hold on its quality and resell value, we might consider getting another Cadillac.

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  Awesome Car!!!! - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By jar jar binks - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I love this car more than any car i had in the past. It drives like a sports car but still has that famous cadillac drive thatll win over any consumer. I would recommend this car to anyone whos getting older becasue this car would make anyone my age feel like they were a kid again.

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  SLS is a great car - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Luxocruiser - December 6 - 2:00 am

  My 01 is a really great car, but as the other reviews have stated, I have had my share of warranty work, transmission mounts, seat heaters, those awful Goodyear tires, (I traded mine in at 18K miles for Michelins.)I just passed 50K - glad I bought an extended warranty. Love the awsome Northstar power, love the ride, love the style. I believe the new rear-wheel drive debuting next year will be a world class vehicle.

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  Owning a 2003 Seville SLS - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By hangman - December 6 - 2:00 am

  We drive this vehicle over all kinds of roads, but mainly interstates. Very comfortable to ride in, ease of handling is superb, fuel mileage is decent, and sufficient room for four adults with luggage.

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  greatest ride - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By chinaview1999 - December 6 - 2:00 am

  It is a thrill every morning to watch my wife drive away in our diamond white Caddy. we still can not believe that we actually own this ultimate SUV. It is definitely a beauty with a monsterous power inside. Its comfort makes your heart want to sing. Great reward for our hard work.

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  A Great Car! - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By Paul Mize, Jr. - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I am a 33 y/o who has owned several Cadillacs in my time. I am into the mid to late seventys models. I recently purchased a new Deville and I LOVE it! The car is perfect in everyway!