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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  Bad to the Bone - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Mongoose45 - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I traded a BMW X-5 on the Cadillac Escalade and it is one of my best decisions ever. The Escalade is a far superior vehicle. It rides so much better that it is not even close. Much more interior room, better looking interior, better exterior styling. I put 24 inch wheels on it and it is truly "Bad to the Bone". The Onstar system is fabulous. I highly recommend this vehicle for those who love luxury. Cadillac did it right!

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  The 2002 ETC Collectors Edition - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Lanadonrobert - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Eldorado Touring Coupe. We bought our first in 1994 and were very pleased. We tried Jaguars, Devilles, and others at trade-in time and found that they didnt compare in comfort, appearance or performance. We love the car even with its now dated body style. Classic beauty beats blah any day!

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  My Eldorado - 2002 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Josebcruz1 - December 6 - 2:00 am

  Ever since I was a child I wanted one of these cars. Owning one is a dream come true for me. What a wonderful machine. It rides so smooth, it is an ultimate ride. I recommend this car to those who want luxury and a little sport too in your vehicle. I dont understand why GM is retiring this car.

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  Best Cadillac ever built - 1991 Cadillac Allante
  By Dennis Garrity - December 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a high performance two seater that will blow the socks off all the competition. The manual convertible top takes getting used to but is a snap once you know it. In fact I can have it up and down faster than most automatic tops. The Pinafarina coach work is exceptional.

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  Finally a Luxury Sports Car from Cadilla - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By ACaliBabe - December 5 - 2:00 am

  It is a very nice car to drive with lots of power and comfort. I would suggest that you ask for tinted windows when you purchase it. I didnt think about it as I purchased the car when it was dark. The car handles the road beautifully and hugs the curves like a car should.

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  If you dont own one....dont review! - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By Dallas Driver - December 5 - 2:00 am

  How can these yahoos spend 15 minutes in the car and make such crappy claims. I have owned BMWs, Caddys, a Vette and a Mercedes. Nothing holds a match to the fun I have in this car. It handles phenominally. It looks and feels great. The blow hards that speak poorly of this car have little to go on. I look for reasons to drive it, and I know I saved a ton of money over the bone heads that are hooked on te BMW. Caddilac is stellar in the way they take care of their clients. Much like a European dealership. Free rental, free service and attention unsurpassed.

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  Love this car - fun to drive. - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By chp2902 - December 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my 8th Cadillac and it drives like a dream and has lots of reserve power. At regular town speeds the Northstar engine purrs but out on the highway, when I need to pass someone - it roars. This car is like a computer on wheels with everything automated for the drivers comfort. Just set it and forget it. The drivers manual is a bit complicated but GM also provides a "short-cut" manual with the car for people who dont like to read a novel. Everyone who rides in this car says its a "dream car" to own.

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  Standard - period.. is it suppose to be? - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By Smithee - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I have owed this 1998 for about 12 months. I live in MN but picked it up in AZ with 2100 miles! Certainly an overall step up from the 1998 I owned. But, it is just standard in its drive and build. Now this would not alarm me for a 4 year old car but it is the same car you can purchase for 50K plus new. I think this is Cadis best attempt yet but still misses the mark when held up to BMW, Mercedes and Audi. If they could just tighten up the ride and build. I buy them new and used and will forever but hoping GM can just go that extra three feet to the rest of the pack to which they compare themselves.

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  Fun 2 Drive - 2002 Cadillac Escalade
  By rwmgd2 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Awsome, fun 2 drive SUV. Could use more room for the driver and passengers.

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  Great car - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By mfan - December 2 - 2:00 am

  A great vehicle--mine has been perfect! Love it-handles like a BMW