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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  german caddy - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By qman - July 6 - 2:00 am

  car is fun to drive.passes better than any other vehicle that I have driven and I have had goats and 5l mustangs. I use mobil1 oil in every thing I drive and all my vehicles are trustworthy.

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  Outstanding - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By Gator - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle but some suggested improvements. One be sure and check on delivery for a trailer hitch pkg, this is not a standard feature? I got it thrown in after purchase with little effort but could have been a $400.00 mistake. Also more ground clearance would be nice.I understand this is not a true off road vehicle but for $57,000 loaded with all wheel drive you should have better off road options.(Standard Ford or Dodge 4X4 ROAD clearance would make this vehicle perfect 3-4 inches higher.)

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  Love this car! - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By noffy - July 6 - 2:00 am

  My family loves this car. We have a 91 model as well. We like it so much, we bought another used one.

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  YES to CTS - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By Mrs. K. - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Drove the CTS home to show my husband. I knew he would tease me about considering an "old woman" Cadillac (we were looking at SUVs). He drove it and quickly changed his opinion. What started as a practical joke has turned into an absolute joy! Both of us are just lovin it.

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  earcad - 2004 Cadillac Escalade
  By fredneck - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Purchased Escalade ESV (long wheelbase) as replacement for older suv and car (2 vehicles)got all I bargained for and more. Roomy-stylish-practical-responsive More car for your dollar than any others, with nav, sunroof, mag wheels, three seats that adults can actually sit in w/o being cramped, firm road feel with all the safties, stabilitrak, levelride etc. Cad. did their homework.

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  Get Power and Comfort. - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By mLofton - July 5 - 2:00 am

  Every since I bought my Eldorado I have been comparing it to every car i ride in. I have yet to ride in a vehicle that combines power and comfort as well as the Eldo,( and my friends own BMWs and Mercedes.) All of my friends compliment me on the comfort of my Eldo. Its a great car to have if you desire comfort and power.

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  Escalade style - 2007 Cadillac Escalade
  By matthew hall - July 4 - 5:59 pm

  Love my escalade most of my car have been customized to make them suit my taste. The escalade is just right the way it comes. Great power and sound, yet quite and comfortable on the road. And with factory 22 wheels it comands attention where we go.

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  under trial - 1999 Cadillac Seville
  By aboalgab - July 4 - 2:00 am

  one week after purcrshase my ABS AND TC red lights came on,also my A/C STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY,distribution of air came down and heat instead of cooling was distributed....my car is at the dealer carage since a week and Iam awaiting the report for repairs. I will keep you unformed of interested

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  OK Caddy - 2001 Cadillac Deville
  By Roadie - July 3 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the vehicle w/ 28k miles & now have 51k on the odometer. A nice ride and good overall performance. The power and style are much nicer than the 95 Deville I traded in with 172k. However the car does burn more oil than I would like. GM has advised that two quarts in 3000 miles is normal, but I do not find that particularly acceptable.

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  Oil fogger - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By Mr. Beano - July 3 - 2:00 am

  After 15,000 miles, our new DTS began smoking like a chimney and using 4 quarts of oil in 3,000 miles. Our dealer tells us this is normal for a Cadillac. I think we made a $50,000 mistake.