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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  Best handling, best balanced, most agile sedan - 2016 Cadillac ATS
  By Dave HACKETT - June 6 - 11:08 am

  This 4 door sedan handles better than any comparable sedan Ive driven in years. It is nimble, well balanced, has precise, accurate steering; it is a joy to drive.

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  Why do you think they call it Cadillac? - 2004 Cadillac Deville
  By CadillacCabman - June 3 - 5:36 pm

  I am a fair-sized man about 6ft-240lbs and I have a tall torso. Not every car fits me. It has more acceleration, more creature comfort, and more highway stability than any automobile I have owned. However, the flagship Mercedes-Benz is my absolute favorite this DeVille is a better value dollar- for-dollar-bang-for-the-buck. Yeah. DeVille stinks on initial resale, but I knew that going into this purchase. This is why I buy off-lease, certified DevilleÂ’s. I travel 65000+- annually and would love to have the fuel economy of a Toyota Prius. However, that is the only improvement I can think of for my 2004 Deville DHS. Nonetheless, I still get about 27 mph- highways, 23 mph-overall and it runs just f

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  FUNTASTIC! - 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By franc - May 31 - 7:30 am

  This truck is very beautiful. It makes people stare. They come up to you in parking lots and gas stations to comment on the beauty. I have a 2006 Cadillac STS V8 fully loaded and it has been parked since I got the Escalade. I am 65" and this truck has ample leg room and head room. It also has a great ride. I am looking forward to a road trip in the spring. This truck is beautiful, versatile, and powerful. I would recommend the 2007 to anyone.

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  2008 CTS all options - 2008 Cadillac CTS
  By wacojohnny - May 30 - 12:30 pm

  Well I also picked up my cts. It came in with everything including the wood wheel and shifter. I waited till now to write this because after a 1000 miles I have a clear picture of its performance. I have not found anything wrong with this car. It was ordered with every option AWD,DI,89U, spoiler, this without a doubt the most enjoyable car I have ever owned. The moonroof is great (here in NYC) the handling fantastic, the bose sound system and the HDD are great. No negatives at all. Great work Cadillac. The American car is back!

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  Owner - 1998 Cadillac Deville
  By David - May 30 - 10:19 am

  I bought this car with 19000 miles on the car. Ive owned this car since 1999, and its never given me any problems. I did replace the A/C a few years back. Nothing more serious than that. The gas mileage is great, and I would not hesitate driving this car coast to coast today. My car now has 119000 miles on it.

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  I LOVE my CTS - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By Rhonda T - May 29 - 6:18 pm

  Ive only owned my CTS for a month, but Ive been in love with this car since the 2008 model appeared on the market. The car is a joy to drive, wonderful ride, lots of power, all that I could ask for.

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  best car of the year - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By TTITTANNS - May 24 - 2:00 am

  i think that this is so comfy and so fun to drive. it has room in the back for my tools and supplies for on the job.

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  A really good car - 2009 Cadillac CTS
  By jimmeryeso - May 22 - 9:26 pm

  Fantastic car, Powerful and quiet. Excellent quiet ride. 40 gb hhd really lets you record all your cds. As much fun as my Carrera. Air cooled front brakes like my XJ 6.

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  Lovin my CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By pdrjr - May 22 - 10:00 am

  When I was a kid Cadillacs were cool. By the time I was in college, they were living rooms on wheels. Now, Caddy is making a car that kicks butt, turns heads and competes with luxury imports. Im an American. I want power, performance and bold styling. And I want to buy it from an American company, especially at a time when world opinion is decidedly anti US. The kids at the car wash tell me they love my CTS. People stop in parking lots to look it over, and slow down in traffic to get a better view. Break Through indeed.

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  Ive had a few Caddies - 1992 Cadillac Brougham
  By Reggo4u2c - May 21 - 5:06 pm

  But this is the one. I found it in this nice lady yard who told me her son had it for years and park it there about 5 years ago. Well after a tune up and fluid change this car has come back strong. I still have to replace the top and the radio is shot but I hope to have her put back together before the summer is out