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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  Escalade=Navigator on Steroids - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Yuppie Caddy-Lover - May 9 - 2:00 am

  This aint your grandfathers Caddy!!! This is by far the best SUV on the market. Inside and out, the Best. I actually consider driving on trips instead of flying! The reviews that tell you to buy a Lincoln instead were obviously written by people who have never driven the Escalade. That is the only way to explain their wrong advice. Granted, the MPG is not the best, but if you can afford a 50k+ vehicle, you dont care about the extra cost of the gasoline. Besides, Power=Fuel consumption. If your into Luxury and pure power, youve found it here. Yuppies have found their new signature.

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  My Dream Car - 1995 Cadillac Deville
  By jcullati - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Luxury, style, performance, and reliable all in one. The power sun/moon roof is delightful. The eleven speaker audio system is unbeatable. All the features one could ever want with 8-10 way adjustable seating and so much leg room. Leather interior is so confortable on long trips. What a great road car. It will be hard to trade it in someday.

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  Quality, Quality, Quality - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Frank C. - May 8 - 2:00 am

  After a full year of ownership, I now feel qualify to rate this outstanding motorcar. In over 15,000 miles of driving, I have NO requirement for warantee or repair work normal scheduled maintenance is the only time I see the dealership. The car drives superbly great acceleration, noisless operation over long highway trips and its simply the most comfortable vehicle Ive ever been inside of. My wife bought a new Lexus ES300 a month before I purchased the Cadillac. Mine is the one we choose for long trips!

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  2001 SLS - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By tomt45 - May 6 - 2:00 am

  No major problems once the Goodyear tires were replaced by the dealer at no charge.

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  WHOA CADDY! - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By Noblechild - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had the SLS for about a month it now has 30,000 miles on it. I love the handling and traction control. I stereo system is remarkable (10 speakers). This is a 50K+ car & I got it used for about half that. The body style compared to a brand new one is extremely hard to distinguish. This car really moves & I get lots of complements but mostly by middle age men. So far so good.

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  First Cadillac Owner and I Love It!!!!!! - 2005 Cadillac STS
  By NameBrand Media - May 4 - 8:30 pm

  Well this is the first Caddy I have owned. I never drove one until the day that I went to my local Cadillac Dealer. I was looking at the CTS but was disappointed by its economy looking interior. I saw the STS and I fell in love with the car. It has style and appeal I was looking for. Along with the value.

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  Seriously kick-ass Caddy. - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Mr. Mak - May 4 - 2:00 am

  At 27, I am younger than the audience Cadillac perhaps envisioned for this car. Yet it is people my age that really dig the CTS. Short overhangs and a sharp aggressive stance make the CTS look like it means business. Its one part WRX, one part BMW and two parts 60’s Cadillac. The end result is simply bad-ass. It backs up the assertive looks with one of the best chassis’ in the world. Like a BMW, you have to drive it to understand just how well planted this car really is. The Getrag stick is excellent and the overall drive-train is well done. The interior fit and finish is solid, but the design is a little awkward. Overall though, it is a fantastic package.

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  Lucky - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By binghog - May 3 - 2:00 am

  I was in need of a different vehicle and have not bought a new car since 1976. I have only bought used, due to the high cost reduction immediately after purchase of a new vehicle. Having had two previous positive Cadillac used purchases in the past, I was only beginning a search for a different vehicle. The quality of the Cadillac, as well as the established and professional dealer, were only enhanced by the 0% interest, and I was able to select the car I did for that reason. I now remember why I had two previous Cadillacs. There really is no comparison in quality and style. I feel lucky I ended my search early.

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  This STS is GREAT! Recommend highly. - 2002 Cadillac Seville
  By EALEXB - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1997 STS before this one and it was impressive. This 2002 STS outdoes it with greater features and more gas mileage (Im averaging 32-33 on Highway)!! The car handles great and does NOT ride like a luxury car, more like a Corvette (had a 2000 Vette, and the Caddy seems to ride very similar, except the weight of the car). All in all a great car for the price! ENJOY!

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  big - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By boulderr - May 1 - 2:00 am

  the ride not quite as smooth as a sedan which i hoped for but adequate...overall fun to own and drive...