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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  Good for the money - 2014 Cadillac SRX
  By Ron - September 17 - 12:04 pm

  A lot of SUV for the price. CUE system is frustrating. Overall quality is good.

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  Seville SLS (get an extended warranty) - 1994 Cadillac Seville
  By dsm1lge - September 17 - 2:00 am

  Would highly recommend extended warranty if you buy. Purchased with 62,000 Replaced, alternator, transmission, struts, within three years. Also had major oil leak a 3K repair. Thanks to extended warranty I paid 800.00 out of pocket on 7k worth of repairs. All repairs are expensive expecially at the Cadillac dealer.

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  More Refinement Please! - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By hsauberman - September 16 - 2:00 am

  This is a nice car however being the most expensive American luxury car(DHS) on the road it needs to be improved. There is still too much road noise,vibration and harshness entering the passenger compartment at normal freeway speeds. Too much harshness from road bumps in the passenger compartment. This car is an improvement since the 2000 model but still not enough!

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  FAN - 2003 Cadillac Seville
  By GLWOLFERT - September 14 - 2:00 am

  The car is generally fine for a car its size. My main objection is the fan noise. At lower speeds( of the fan) it has a "gurgling" sound. Somwhat like a coffee perculator.Not so for the 1998 models.WHY?????

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  worth the extra bucks - 2003 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By mcgyver64 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Although the pricetag is substantially higher than the Avalanche, the features, performance and comfort more than make up for it. I have 4k miles on mine and so far it has been trouble free. Only complaint is gas milage is terrible. I am averaging 12 mpg city and not much better highway. Its alot of fun to drive and pulls a 30 ft 7500 lb travel trailer with ease.

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  Good car, but get a warranty. - 1991 Cadillac Eldorado
  By cdoggown - September 10 - 2:00 am

  This car has been extremely well taken care of, even though bought used at a dealership, it was evident that the previous owner loved it. I have had it a little over two years, and while most of those were problem free, I do ned to note that the aftermarket extended warranty I paid for at the dealership paid itself off.

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  Shame on you, Adam Opel! - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By 1997 Catera - September 8 - 2:00 am

  Why did Opel allow their Europe only Omega to become such an disappointment? It has great handling, smooth power delivery, comfort, and good looks. But since reliabilty has been such a problem, we have no choice but to trade it in, today. Unfortunately, this car has depreciated an average of ten dollars a day, no small thanks to its lousy reputation. Smart buyers look elsewhere.

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  Seville SLS - 2001 Cadillac Seville
  By Icefish4 - September 8 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome car with a few major exceptions. First and foremost, the suspension is so sensitve, you cant keep the tires balanced. Michelins are essential, as the factory Goodyears are junk and have no business on this car. Also, too many electronic "doodads" that fail. Mine has been in the shop several times for failed sensors. A great car to drive overall, especially when the tires are balanced!

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  Great Truck - 1999 Cadillac Escalade
  By Oasis - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Great Luxury SUV. This SUV is very powerfull, has great Leather seats, Great Bose soundsystem w/ 6 Disc Changer AND in-dash CD player. Great AUTO 4WD Feature.Great turning radius .This car does have its down sides. Barely Adequate braking. Poor Gas milage (like most other SUVs) no 3rd row seating, No Sunroof(even as an option!), so far 72k Miles and not a single problem. Very Strong and Reliable w/ great style.

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  03 CTS - 2003 Cadillac CTS
  By AutoMole - September 5 - 10:00 am

  This car has dramatic styling and looks different from all the other McSedans on the road. It also has incredible handling and braking with decent performance for a V6 (although the engine could use more torque IMO). The paint and overall fit and finish seem to be of high quality. Its an all-around fun car to drive that never fails to put a smile on my face whether Im looking at it in the driveway or behind the wheel.