The history of car manufacturing in America will never be complete without mentioning one of its oldest brands - Cadillac. Established by Henry Leland and his financial backers in 1902, the company was named after Detroit's founder: Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac. Cadillac unveiled its first vehicle, the Model A, in 1903. In 1905, the company merged with Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Company, which played a key role in preserving the factory to produce Cadillacs.
Who Owns Cadillac?
Cadillac is owned by General Motors (GM). GM acquired Cadillac in 1909 and made it their luxury division.
1st Generation Cadillac - Runabout and Tonneau
Cadillac's very first vehicles - the Runabout and Tonneau were rolled out and unveiled to the public in October 1902. The Runabout was a two-seater, while the Tonneau added a detachable rear seat, increasing the seating capacity to four passengers. Powered by an engine designed by Alanson Partridge Brush and manufactured by Leland & Faulconer Manufacturing Company, the vehicles featured a single cylinder engine which delivered up to 10 horsepower. Although their design resembled a horseless carriage, the Runabout and Tonneau were known as popular and relatively powerful vehicles in their time. They were later upgraded with four-cylinder engines in Models D, G, H, and L. Production of the single-cylinder Runabout and Tonneau continued until 1908.
Cadillac's Iconic Cars
Since its establishment in 1902, Cadillac has been at the forefront of manufacturing impressive luxury vehicles. Renowned early on for its precision engineering and power under the hood, Cadillac has maintained this standard even as consumer demands have been evolving.
The following are the iconic vehicles from Cadillac that has solidified the brand's status over the years:
Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz (1959)
The postwar America was defined by its economic boom that pushed consumerism to the next level. Excess was celebrated and it showed in the choice of vehicles. The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz, sporting a 6.4L V8 engine with an insane 345 horsepower was a perfect example of the era's love for extravagance. Known for its iconic large tailfins, the Eldorado Biarritz was as impressive in size as it was in power, measuring 225.0 inches in length and 80.2 inches in width.
Cadillac Coupe DeVille (1976)
The Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz was a large vehicle but it was nothing compared to the Cadillac Coupe DeVille when it came to size. Often referred to as "Land Yacht", the Cadillac Coupe DeVille was 230.7 inches long and 79.8 inches wide. It was an impressive vehicle on the road with its stylish design and roaring presence (had an 8.2L V8 engine).
Cadillac Seville STS (1991)
The Cadillac Seville STS was a sporty sedan that was released to challenge other performance cars in the market, especially the BMW. Powered by a 4.9L V8 engine producing 200 horsepower, it could reach top speed of up to 140 mph and accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds. It was relatively smaller than other cars in its class, measuring 203.9 inches long and 74.0 inches wide.
Cadillac CTS-V (2004)
In 2004, Cadillac unveiled a muscle car that muscled its way into the luxury car market. Using the Corvette 5.7L V8 engine with 400 horsepower, it was a performance vehicle first and luxury car second. It boasted a top speed of 163 mph and ability to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 0.46 seconds. It was a small but powerful muscle car measuring190.1 inches long and 70.6 inches wide.
Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing (2022)
Cadillac introduced an instant classic in 2022, combining the refined luxury of a Cadillac with monstrous power under the hood.
Equipped with a 6.2L supercharged V8 engine producing 668 horsepower, the CT5-V Blackwing boasts a top speed of over 200 mph and an acceleration of 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Slightly larger than the CTS-V, it measures 195.9 inches in length and 74.1 inches in width. Modern versions feature advanced technology, including a hands-free driver-assist system, a digital display dashboard, and even a performance app for enthusiasts.
4The King of Cadillacs - The Escalade
For more than a century Cadillac has produced some of the most iconic vehicles in history. However, it's most popular to date is undeniably The Escalade. Since its introduction in 1999, luxury SUV manufacturers have struggled to match the popularity of the Cadillac Escalade.
The 2024 model is more impressive. It comes with two engine options: a 6.2L V8 or the 6.2L Supercharged V8 (Escalade-V). Measuring at 211.9 inches in length and 81.1 inches in width, its supercharged engine can reach up to 130 mph. Spacious, luxurious and featuring modern amenities, it's often the choice of celebrities and athletes worldwide.
The Size Evolution of Cadillacs
Runabout and Tonneau (1903): Cadillac's first vehicles, they were compact and looked like horseless carriages. They measured approximately 100 inches in length.
Eldorado Biarritz (1959): A luxury convertible with iconic large tailfins. It measured 225.0 inches in length and 80.2 inches in width.
Coupe DeVille (1976): A massive luxury sedan that measured 230.7 inches in length and 79.8 inches in width.
Seville STS (1991): A sporty luxury sedan which measured 203.9 inches in length and 74.0 inches in width.
CTS-V (2004): A compact muscle car, measuring 191.5 inches in length and 70.6 inches in width.
CT5-V Blackwing (2022): A high-performance luxury sedan that measured 195.9 inches in length and 74.1 inches in width.
Escalade (2024): A modern luxury SUV. It measured 211.9 inches in length and 81.1 inches in width.
Lyriq (2024): Cadillac's sleek electric SUV, measuring 196.7 inches in length and 77.8 inches in width.
Celestiq (2025): Cadillac's flagship electric sedan, measuring 217.2 inches in length, 83.9 inches in width, and 57.3 inches in height.
Escalade IQ (2025): An upcoming electric luxury SUV, expected to measure over 200 inches in length.
Vistiq (2026): A futuristic electric crossover SUV, expected to measure around 190 inches in length.
Cadillac's evolving sizes is actually a reflection of shifts in cultural trends, tech advancements, and consumer demands preferences over the years.
The Future Of Cadillacs
Cadillac's future plans are focused on innovation, technology, and sustainability. Cadillac, as a luxury vehicle brand, is always aiming for bigger, faster cutting edge technology. Like many luxury vehicle makers they are expanding their lineup of electric vehicles (EVs). The upcoming Escalade IQ will be a luxury SUV featuring green technology.
Aside from EVs, Cadillac is also expected to be part of the biggest racing event in the world: Formula 1. Expected to debut in 2026, Cadillac aims to further solidify its position as a leader in luxury and performance.
