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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  08 STS is hot - 2008 Cadillac STS
  By Cosmo - August 11 - 9:28 am

  302-horsepower engine with direct injection V6. A bolder look on the outside and inside will attract younger buyers. I am 41. I wanted a 4 wheel drive car that can accommodate 3 car seats in the back. I looked at the BMW 535xi, Lexus GS350 AWD Infiniti M35 (currently drive Infiniti M45) at Audi A6. For the money the 2008 I stress the 2008 STS was the best value. The increased performance and the side air extractors, incorporated into the front fenders of STS. New chrome-plated door handles and lower rocker moldings are added for more presence and refinement.

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  This car is hot! - 2004 Cadillac SRX
  By spa_r_key - August 10 - 10:00 am

  First time Cadillac buyer, bought the car 3 days ago and I cant get over the ride, very smooth and quiet. Bought the black exterior w/black interior, ultraview sunroof, radio/nav, 8 speakers, Onstar, no third row, V8...enough said. Hands down, the best I have owned. Keep an eye on your speed, the V8 can get you in trouble. Not many of them on the road like the BMWs or Mercedes so its sleek design will turn heads.

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  After 3 years, CTS great car - 2004 Cadillac CTS
  By george - August 6 - 9:22 am

  2004 CTS was purchased new. After 3 years, has been a great car. Love the OnStar, mileage, looks. No problems. After my 85 Caddy disaster, thought I would never buy another Caddy. Just bought a new STS last week. Most reviews are after a few weeks of ownership. After 3 years with the CTS, I bought the STS and my wife still drives the CTS. That speaks volumes.

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  My Dream Car - 2007 Cadillac DTS
  By Dave Albanese - August 5 - 10:41 am

  This is our 5th DTS and it is by far the very best. Black on black. So quiet its hard to believe! Why someone would not buy or lease this luxury car is beyond me. They have acheived a blend of all that a luxury auto should be in this car. I highly recommend tis wonderful American made automobile.

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  Rating as an owner - 1994 Cadillac Eldorado
  By joezaier56 - August 2 - 11:26 pm

  Wish I could have had the pleasure of experiencing one either fresh off the show floor or with less wear and tear on it, but I was more than impressed with the pure power and performance of the car!

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  Fantastic, fast car - 2000 Cadillac Eldorado
  By Rene - August 2 - 11:10 pm

  My husband insisted that I had to buy this model because of its sporty look. I wanted a 4 door in the worst way. The only reason I am replacing my ElDo is for 4 doors and room for a Rotweiller. I have loved this car, but hate lifting a sleeping grandchild out of the back seat car seat. It is a thrill to drive, so comfortable and very luxurious. I had problems with water leaking around my moonroof but I had a great service department and so my inconvience was minor. They totally replaced my carpet twice and finally cured the leak problem.

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  The limousine of Caddies. - 1990 Cadillac Deville
  By j sedman - August 1 - 11:33 am

  I bought this car from a " little old lady " after 4 years and 40,100 miles. I now have 218,000 miles on it and will drive it sparingly along with my 2002 DeVille. The car has flown way above any expectations that I could have possibly dreamed it would do. Reliability, design, performance, you name it....all have been tremendous. Some one mentioned the vinyl armrests- its true. They started to crack a few years ago. The only downer , and a mild one, of an otherwise superb model. The best car Ive ever owned and a true testament to the quality of Cadillac. I hope my "other" Caddy comes close to the same standards of the old 90.

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  Great Car!! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By GRW - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This is the second SRX I have owned. The 2005 is a nice upgrade from the 2004. This car gets lots of looks! On the road gas milleage is 22 MPG, not bad for 320 HP engine. Love the car.

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  Great SUV - 2008 Cadillac Escalade
  By GTOhaas - July 29 - 1:53 am

  This thing is awesome. More power than anything Ive driven. Great style inside and out. I havent found one thing that I do not like.

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  Cadillac Man! - 2006 Cadillac STS
  By Mark Anthony - July 27 - 1:45 pm

  This is my 5th new Cadillac and so far the best. People are in awe when I tell them the features. Windows down by voice, push button start, keyless access, just walk up to the car and the car door opens automatically. 15 speaker Bose stereo and navigation screen, it even plays DVDs and MP3s! The automatic transmission shifts without the clutch. I just love this car. I clean it everyday!