Cadillac Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.42/5 Average
4,788 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 3911 through 3920 of 4,788.00
  • This is a great car! - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
    By -

    This is a great car! Even when driven hard (which for me means daily)it just performs. Cadillacs Northstar engines are just fantasic, If you have ever have the chance ot drive one, I highly recommend it.

  • NOTHIN COULD EVER STOP YOU - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
    By -

    WHEN YOU RIDE IN A CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN DO ANYTHING LIKE NOTHIN COULD EVER STOP YOU.LIKE YOU COULD RIDE ALL AROUND THE CITY WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND SHOWOFF YOUR BRAND NEW EXT YOU COULD TURN ON THE RADIO AS LOUD AS YOU WANT WATCH DVDS YOU COULD EVEN INSTALL A PLAYSTATION 2 OR ANY SYSTEM THE RIDE IS SO SMOOTH THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS VEHICLE IS EXCELLENT.

  • Awesome Truck - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
    By -

    We bought the Escalade after our third son was born and have found that this truck is great for towing the boat or just the family around.. interior and exterior are classy and overall great. If you are looking for not only a family vehicle, but a stylish one as well this is the one for you.

  • 1995 cadlac - 1995 Cadillac Deville
    By -

    This car has been a joy to have. Its like a member of the family

  • Get the extented warranty used carI - 1997 Cadillac Deville
    By -

    I love my car. I owned a Cadillac before this one and it saved my life. Will never own a compact car. Too many SUVs and I travel long distances. This car is a dream for travel and other passengers are comfortable in the back seat. Great features and it is a fun car to drive.Looks great and has great curb appeal. I agree with other reviewer...buy used, crazy to buy new. I did have to replace the transmission in 2000 and other minor things that were covered in my extended warranty. Worth the extra money and has paid for itself.

  • DTS - 2000 Cadillac Deville
    By -

    I was shocked and disturbed to find that this premier car with the Northstar engine burns a quart of oil every 3000 miles. Also within 50,000 miles the CV drive was totally coroded and had to be replaced. The front engine mount was torn. Not a very impressive vehicle and one that I could not honestly recommend.

  • my first cadillac - 2003 Cadillac Deville
    By -

    what can i say...its a cadillac

  • Not Cadillac Quality - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
    By -

    My second Escalade.I am disappointed 3.5k miles and plagued with problems. Exhaust chimes after driving 5 miles and parking as it cools. Seat heater button is too close to the power window button. Turns on heat when you try to operate window. Air conditioning has quit. Service stability alarm has come on seeral times. Cargo door needs a gorilla slam to avoid a door ajar alarm as you are driving down the street.Exhaust is mucher louder than 2002. Except for air conditioner, dealer claims these are normal and I have to live with it. Not at $50,000 I dont.

  • The 2005 Cadillac CTS is One Incredible Ride - 2005 Cadillac CTS
    By -

    This car is incredible. It surely cant compare to the other other leading cars like BMWs or Mercedes-Benzs, but the fact that it is an American car lets me know that it is totally reliable. It has excellent acceleraltion, compared to the BMW 330i and in my opinion it is way more stylish than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. I almost purchased an E-Class just because of the emblem, but driving away with the Cadillac left me with no regrets.

  • Luxury - 2003 Cadillac Deville
    By -

    The Cadillac Deville is an excellent car. It features an excellent ride, extremely quiet cabin, exceptionally comfortable seats, very roomy interior, wonderfully strong and smooth V8 engine, many cool features, excellent brakes and commendable handling for such a large vehicle. On the downside, some interior materials are cheap and Ive heard it has a poor reliability record (although my car has fine reliability). Also, the frontal crash test result for the driver is only 3 stars. Overall, though, the DeVille is a superb vehicle. I recommend it to most luxury car buyers but some cars (like the BMW 5-series or Mercedes-Benz E class) are even better.

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