What was the best Cadillac ever made?

[CadillacStyle]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I chose the lounge. I think we can all agree that the 'golden era' of Cadillac was the fifties and sixties. The styling was just so bold, so extravagant, and the sheer presence of those cars is something that modern vehicles just can't replicate. If I had to pick one, it would have to be the 1959 Eldorado Biarritz.

It's the ultimate symbol of that jet-age design ethos, with those massive tail fins and a level of chrome that screams American opulence. It's a true masterpiece of design and it's what people picture when you say "Cadillac". Sure, it's not the most practical car for daily driving, but we're talking about the "best all around" in terms of capturing the essence of the brand, and the '59 Biarritz does that in spades. It was the peak of American automotive excess and a cultural icon that no other model has been able to match.

What say you?

 

[herecomestrouble]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I chose the lounge. I think we can all agree that the 'golden era' of Cadillac was the fifties and sixties. The styling was just so bold, so extravagant, and the sheer presence of those cars is something that modern vehicles just can't replicate. If I had to pick one, it would have to be the 1959 Eldorado Biarritz.

It's the ultimate symbol of that jet-age design ethos, with those massive tail fins and a level of chrome that screams American opulence. It's a true masterpiece of design and it's what people picture when you say "Cadillac". Sure, it's not the most practical car for daily driving, but we're talking about the "best all around" in terms of capturing the essence of the brand, and the '59 Biarritz does that in spades. It was the peak of American automotive excess and a cultural icon that no other model has been able to match.

What say you?

I appreciate the sentiment, but calling a '59 Biarritz "all around" seems a bit generous. I mean we need to consider more than just styling. What about performance, technology, and everyday usability? For me, the best all-around Cadillac has to be the second-generation CTS-V. I'm talking about the one from the late 2000s with the supercharged V8. That car was a game changer. It took the classic American muscle car formula and put it in a sharp, modern luxury sedan that could genuinely compete with the best from Germany. It had a ton of horsepower, a fantastic chassis, and you could even get it as a wagon with a manual transmission. That's a combination that's just unheard of in the luxury market. It was a true driver's car that was also comfortable and practical enough to haul the family around. It showed that Cadillac could be about more than just old-school luxury.

 

[Brilliance]

I wasn't sure where to post this, so I chose the lounge. I think we can all agree that the 'golden era' of Cadillac was the fifties and sixties. The styling was just so bold, so extravagant, and the sheer presence of those cars is something that modern vehicles just can't replicate. If I had to pick one, it would have to be the 1959 Eldorado Biarritz.

It's the ultimate symbol of that jet-age design ethos, with those massive tail fins and a level of chrome that screams American opulence. It's a true masterpiece of design and it's what people picture when you say "Cadillac". Sure, it's not the most practical car for daily driving, but we're talking about the "best all around" in terms of capturing the essence of the brand, and the '59 Biarritz does that in spades. It was the peak of American automotive excess and a cultural icon that no other model has been able to match.

What say you?

I appreciate the sentiment, but calling a '59 Biarritz "all around" seems a bit generous. I mean we need to consider more than just styling. What about performance, technology, and everyday usability? For me, the best all-around Cadillac has to be the second-generation CTS-V. I'm talking about the one from the late 2000s with the supercharged V8. That car was a game changer. It took the classic American muscle car formula and put it in a sharp, modern luxury sedan that could genuinely compete with the best from Germany. It had a ton of horsepower, a fantastic chassis, and you could even get it as a wagon with a manual transmission. That's a combination that's just unheard of in the luxury market. It was a true driver's car that was also comfortable and practical enough to haul the family around. It showed that Cadillac could be about more than just old-school luxury.

I see both of your points, but you're both focused on extremes. @CadillacStyle is all about pure style and @herecomestrouble is fixated on raw performance. To be the "best all-around," a car needs to strike a balance, and I think the 1977-1979 Sedan DeVille does that perfectly. That was the first year of the downsized models, and it was a revelation. It still had that classic stately Cadillac look with sharp clean lines and a commanding presence, but it was much more efficient and manageable than the previous land yachts. The 425 cubic inch V8 was a fantastic engine, and the cars were known for being incredibly reliable and durable. They were comfortable for long trips, easy to maintain, and were a big step forward in terms of modernizing the brand without losing its identity. It was a car that offered luxury, size, and usability in a way that had been missing for years.

 

[Anthony Cipriano]

I'm going to have to throw a curveball in here and say that the best all-around Cadillac is the 2nd generation Escalade. Now, before you all jump on me for picking an SUV, hear me out. The Escalade is arguably the car that single-handedly saved the brand and put Cadillac back on the map for a new generation. It was a cultural phenomenon. It took all the core Cadillac values of bold styling, luxury, and presence and translated them into a vehicle that was relevant and desirable in the modern market. It was a status symbol that transcended the old stereotypes of Cadillac being a car for retirees. Plus, it offered the practicality of a big truck (especially in EXT form) with a comfortable, well-appointed interior. You could tow a boat, go on a family road trip, and still roll up to a fancy restaurant and get noticed. It had the performance and utility that people wanted, and it was undeniably a Cadillac.

 

[CadillacStyle]

I'm going to have to throw a curveball in here and say that the best all-around Cadillac is the 2nd generation Escalade. Now, before you all jump on me for picking an SUV, hear me out. The Escalade is arguably the car that single-handedly saved the brand and put Cadillac back on the map for a new generation. It was a cultural phenomenon. It took all the core Cadillac values of bold styling, luxury, and presence and translated them into a vehicle that was relevant and desirable in the modern market. It was a status symbol that transcended the old stereotypes of Cadillac being a car for retirees. Plus, it offered the practicality of a big truck (especially in EXT form) with a comfortable, well-appointed interior. You could tow a boat, go on a family road trip, and still roll up to a fancy restaurant and get noticed. It had the performance and utility that people wanted, and it was undeniably a Cadillac.

I can see the points about the CTS-V and Escalade, but they just feel like they're trying to be something else. The CTS-V is a fantastic car, sure, but it feels like Cadillac trying to out-BMW the Germans. The Escalade is a great truck, and it's popular, but it's a dressed-up Chevy. The Sedan DeVille is a better argument for a well rounded Caddy, but even that was part of a downsizing trend. My point is, the best all around Cadillac should be something that is purely and unapologetically a Cadillac. It should be a vehicle that could only come from that brand, and that is what the '59 Eldorado was. It was the boldest statement in an era when that's what the company was all about. It wasn't about lap times or utility, it was about arrival and presence. To me, that's the ultimate expression of Cadillac.

 

[Anthony Cipriano]

I can see the points about the CTS-V and Escalade, but they just feel like they're trying to be something else. The CTS-V is a fantastic car, sure, but it feels like Cadillac trying to out-BMW the Germans. The Escalade is a great truck, and it's popular, but it's a dressed-up Chevy. The Sedan DeVille is a better argument for a well rounded Caddy, but even that was part of a downsizing trend. My point is, the best all around Cadillac should be something that is purely and unapologetically a Cadillac. It should be a vehicle that could only come from that brand, and that is what the '59 Eldorado was. It was the boldest statement in an era when that's what the company was all about. It wasn't about lap times or utility, it was about arrival and presence. To me, that's the ultimate expression of Cadillac.

With all due respect, that's a very nostalgic view. The brand can't survive on nostalgia. The CTS-V showed that Cadillac could innovate and compete in the modern world. It brought a whole new generation of buyers to the brand. And it wasn't just a copy of a German car, it had a distinctly American soul with that supercharged V8 and the way it delivered power. You could smoke the tires with a blip of the throttle, but then you could also settle down and cruise on the highway in total comfort. That's a different kind of all around that a '59 Eldorado simply can't touch. It was a bridge between the old and new, and it did both extremely well.

 

[Brilliance]

I'm glad we're getting back to the idea of balance. The CTS-V is a great car, but it's a niche product. It's a high-performance variant that a small percentage of buyers would ever consider. And the Eldorado, while beautiful, is a toy for a collector. The 77-79 DeVille, on the other hand, was a car for the masses. It was a practical, comfortable, and efficient for its time full size luxury sedan that sold like hotcakes. It kept the brand afloat by giving people what they wanted and needed, without sacrificing the luxurious ride or the classic look. It was the Cadillac that kept the company relevant for a generation, and to me, that makes it the best all around vehicle they've ever made.

 

[Anthony Cipriano]

I'm glad we're getting back to the idea of balance. The CTS-V is a great car, but it's a niche product. It's a high-performance variant that a small percentage of buyers would ever consider. And the Eldorado, while beautiful, is a toy for a collector. The 77-79 DeVille, on the other hand, was a car for the masses. It was a practical, comfortable, and efficient for its time full size luxury sedan that sold like hotcakes. It kept the brand afloat by giving people what they wanted and needed, without sacrificing the luxurious ride or the classic look. It was the Cadillac that kept the company relevant for a generation, and to me, that makes it the best all around vehicle they've ever made.

@Brilliance, I completely agree that the 77-79 DeVille was important, but let's be real, the Escalade had a far greater impact. It became a cultural icon in a way the DeVille never did. It was a celebrity in its own right, appearing in countless movies and music videos. That kind of widespread appeal and brand recognition is something no other Cadillac has achieved in the past fifty years. It proved that the brand could be cool and relevant again, and it opened the door for all the modern performance and luxury vehicles that followed. The Escalade is the reason Cadillac still exists and has a future.

 

[Victor Rusk]

I've been reading through this discussion and I think we're missing the true pinnacle of modern Cadillac. I have to side with herecomestrouble on the performance angle, but I'll raise you one better. The CT5-V Blackwing. This is the car that proves Cadillac can still build a legitimate, no-compromise, world-class premium luxury sports sedan. It has a supercharged V8 that makes over 600 horsepower and it's available with a manual transmission. It is, by all accounts, one of the greatest sedans ever made, and it's a testament to everything Cadillac has learned over the decades. It's the ultimate expression of the "Art and Science" design philosophy and the V-series heritage. It's the best of both worlds: a luxurious, comfortable daily driver that can absolutely tear up a racetrack on the weekends.

 

[Julian Antorelli]

I've been reading through this discussion and I think we're missing the true pinnacle of modern Cadillac. I have to side with herecomestrouble on the performance angle, but I'll raise you one better. The CT5-V Blackwing. This is the car that proves Cadillac can still build a legitimate, no-compromise, world-class premium luxury sports sedan. It has a supercharged V8 that makes over 600 horsepower and it's available with a manual transmission. It is, by all accounts, one of the greatest sedans ever made, and it's a testament to everything Cadillac has learned over the decades. It's the ultimate expression of the "Art and Science" design philosophy and the V-series heritage. It's the best of both worlds: a luxurious, comfortable daily driver that can absolutely tear up a racetrack on the weekends.

I respect your passion for speed, but a Cadillac is not a sports car. A Cadillac is about effortless, silent comfort and a commanding ride. For that reason, I have to nominate the 1993-1996 Fleetwood Brougham. This was the last of the truly big, body on frame, traditional American luxury sedans. It was a massive car with a silky smooth ride and a powerful V8 that made it feel like you were floating on a cloud. It had a classic, elegant style and a luxurious interior with plush seats. It wasn't about being fast or nimble, it was about delivering the ultimate in traditional American luxury. It was the last great example of the very thing that made the brand famous in the first place. If it weren't for the fact that the Town Car was chosen for limo service, it would have surely outlasted it.