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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  safe car - 1990 Cadillac Eldorado
  By JENNIEM - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I have had my eldorado for 4 years now and have had absolutley no major problems with it. It has been in three fender benders, which I was rearended, not one time did my car end up with more than a scratch. While the others had body damage. It has power that you wouldnt think an older town car would have. When you push it goes! The interior is roomy and comfortable enough to sleep in if you had to. Great car, Id recommend it to anyone. even at 180,000 miles it still runs strong and quiet at the same time.

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  disenchanted - 1997 Cadillac Seville
  By eyeswideopen - October 21 - 2:00 am

  Luckily I bought an extended warranty with this car. Nothing but trouble. In the three years that I have owned this car, I have been to the dealership 22 times. This is unacceptable. I never had anything this problematic when I drove cars made in Japan. Reliability and build quality are not a part of GM enginerering it would seem. I will never buy American again.

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  LOVE THE CADDY - 1999 Cadillac Deville
  By HAROLD HYTE - October 21 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR AND GREAT SERVICE THEY TREAT YOU LIKE A KING WHEN YOU NEED SERVICE AND IT RARELY NEED SERVICE

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  Just put the key in and GO!!! - 1990 Cadillac Fleetwood
  By Hercules - October 20 - 2:00 am

  I am the proud owner of 1990 Fleetwood Cadillac. I have a few things to say about this American Lion. It is a better drive than almost anything being put out there on the streets today by many manufacturers who are charging prices in excess of $30.000, I beleive that the 1990 Fleetwood is one of the best cars I have ever driven. It is smooth it has an excessive amount of power and the driver always feel like he or she is in total control of the vehicule. Make no mistake if you wish to make a purchase that will offer strength coupled with class and reliability I strongly urge that you take a second look at this simply irresistable American beauty.

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  Wheres the closest Lincoln dealer? - 2003 Cadillac Escalade
  By Matt 221 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I have been nothing but dissappointed with this vehicle. From the slugish controls, to the cheap interior design. I mean it looked great at the dealership, until I got it home. It does have good power, but that just isnt enough.

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  Catera ,german for "No One Can Fix it" - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Captain Canuk - October 18 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car off of lease with only 45k on it. At first we thought we had a great car. The ride was great and the handling was beautiful. After the first couple of months things started to go, front left signal light just fell off(poor plastic???bracket)then the tires started leaking (rusting rims after 50K same problem they had in the 70S),water pump,air conditioner pump,leaky oil cooler,driver side mirror discoloration, front breaks and finally the timing belt (recall). Our warranty is coming to an end in May and we are going to ditch the car for an import maybe we will upgrade to a Corolla!!

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  Wow! - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By car kitten - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Wow! This is an all around great car to buy. Even though it is quite expensive-it is GREAT! I love everything about my Escalade. I was hesitant at first about buying this car. It was between the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator. The features are great with this car!!!

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  Reliable Review 85000 miles and counting - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By sandman - October 17 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has a safe, well controlled ride that inspires confidence. It is a little expensive to maintain (ie, tires, brakes every 40,000)if you drive alot of miles. It has been very reliable. Maintainence is important with this car!!! I have had several German cars and this 1 is no different. Early models 97s early 98s had some electrical issues. If buying used look for late 98 or newer. Car rivals small BMW, Mercedes if you get one without eletrical glitches. Excellent room comfort and ride. Good used car buy resale is poor due to early eletrical issues. Recall Out for timing belt issue. Be safe change timing belt every 75,000miles.

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  A CLASS ACT... - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By JEN3NASCAR - October 17 - 2:00 am

  The Cadillac EXT is a truly dream machine...my husband ordered this vehicle as a surprise, and had every available option put on it (we had admired them ever since they hit the market)...the attention to detail is something to be appreciated. The thing is a class act, from bumper to bumper, and the interior is total "Cadillac comfort" throughout. It is amazing how agile this vehicle is, considering its size...you have to drive an EXT to experience how well it handles. It has plenty of "get up and go"...very responsive. Be warned-If you decide to take and EXT for a spin, it will be love and first drive, and you will be hooked! :)

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  Sca-lade - 2000 Cadillac Escalade
  By Thomas Zwirecki - October 16 - 2:00 am

  I have test drove a bunch of them. Getting into the SUV seems like putting on a comfortable pair of shoes.