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:
Showing 591 through 600 of 4,788.00-
Reliability Less Than Expected - 2003 Cadillac CTS
By Alan - February 15 - 6:47 pmAs soon as I reached the end of the 4 year warranty, my CTS has been nothing but trouble. I have been to the repair shop so often, the customer service reps recognizes my voice and asks "What now?". Since the 1st of October the right engine gaskets failed at 48,000 miles. Then in November and December there were electrical problems with OnStar and the brake and tail lights. In January 07 it was the left side engine gaskets. Now in February the air bag service warning light is on. GM will go bankrupt fixing these cars with the longer warranty period. All I can say to prospective buyers is "BEWARE".
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Great Vehicle - 2004 Cadillac SRX
By Bionic Pig - February 15 - 10:00 amThe size and confort are fantastic
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Nice Car, but Still Some Things to Improve - 2005 Cadillac CTS
By r41866 - February 14 - 2:55 pmThe CTS has a small turning radius and good traction, even in rainy days. It also has very good braking performance. Its acceleration is not very impressive, but maybe it is due to the heavy weight. Its fuel efficiency is so so. Its ride is comfortable, except that the engine noise is quite loud. Its quality is OK, except for a problem with the automatic window.
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2003 DeVille - 2003 Cadillac Deville
By thawyzard - February 6 - 4:07 pmI drive my DeVille on the open road and in the city. It has the smoothest ride ever. I drive 30,000 miles per year. The DeVille is the most comfortable car that I have ever owned. Its gas mileage is dependent upon the speed you drive. I have driven it 100,000 miles with few problems, none serious. I have never been left sever stranded or towed etc. I had problems with the air conditioner fan and a few interior pieces had to be replaced. Otherwise, this is a very good, A+++ car.
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Glad to be Rid of It - 2000 Cadillac Catera
By dan - February 4 - 11:37 pmMy Cadillac Catera has been nothing but trouble. I have had to make many trips to the dealer for minor repairs. The last problem was that the battery would die every time it rained. I had to meke three trips to the dealer for this problem and they could find nothing wrong. I traded it in and am glad to be rid of it.
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Overall Great Car to Drive - 2007 Cadillac CTS
By Mgoblue2 - January 25 - 12:43 pmThis is actually my wifes car, but Ill tell you we test drove everything. If you want to fit in and not have your car have a personality go buy the Lexus or Acura. This car offers more room than anything in its class. The others we tested were fine, but the CTS has its own personality and was the best overall ride and drive for us. We tested the 328, G35, IS 350, TL, S40, C- and E-Class. Check this car out for its overall drive. It is a great choice.
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1992 Cadillac Fleetwood Sedan - 1992 Cadillac Fleetwood
By Harry J Singman - January 16 - 12:14 amThis car is very comfortable to drive and has excellent acceleration and handling abilities. It is very passenger friendly, roomy, and safe feeling. Its fuel economy is terrible, and premium fuel is absolutely required, but this is not an economy car so some trade-offs are expected. Its frequency of repairs is about average, but some parts are very expensive, excessively so, I think. Overall, this car provides a pleasant driving and owning experience.
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Did not live up to expectations - 2004 Cadillac CTS
By Faith - January 8 - 10:13 pmThe CTS is attractive, but the engine seems strained at times while accelerating. I have been frustrated with several recalls and other parts that wore out, like the starter. I have also had defective memory seating that is supposed to remember your previous setting. That had to be replaced. I did not find the dealership to be attentive to my service requests and had to make several trips for the same complaint to be repaired. The back seat is tight in leg room and should definitely be larger. I traded in a BMW 740iLl to buy this car and will be going back to another BMW. The CTS doesnt hold a candle to the BMW 7-Series.
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Cadillac is Back - 2006 Cadillac STS
By Richard - January 4 - 12:10 pmAfter two decades of owning Mercedes, BMW, and Infiniti, I decided to test the Cadillac STS. I selected the STS over the Mercedes E350 and Infiniti M35. Its ride is firm but smooth. The electronic features are fantastic. Remote start with heated seats and steering wheel make cold mornings easier. The 15 speaker Bose stereo with XM radio is FANTASTIC. I get about 20 MPG on my commute and on a recent road trip I averaged 23 MPG at 80 MPH.
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Short of the Mark - 2007 Cadillac CTS
By jackj - January 2 - 4:12 pmFor the price, there are other cars out there that are better equipped. Locking wheel nuts, lumbar support, theft alarm, and rear A/C vents are only available as hefty options. My 96 Taurus and 02 Tribute even came stock with most that I mentioned. Yes, in other respects, this is a fun car to drive. It has plenty of pep, gets decent MPG, handles very well, and has comfortable seating for the most part. Based on this purchase experience (first-time Caddy buyer), it will be my last. Reason? There is more bang for the buck with the competition.
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