The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Cadillac hits the jackpot with new flagship CT6 sedan
The definition of the word flagship is: 1. the ship in a fleet that carries the commanding admiral. 2. The best or most important thing owned or produced by a particular organization.
As t he brand undergoes a lineup transformation, Cadillac has unveiled its new flagship sedan, the Cadillac CT6 (not to be confused with the shorter CTS). After spending a week in the CT6, I must say the definition is fitting. If this was a fleet of ships, the CT6 would most definitely be the admiral, and it is the best and most important thing Cadillac currently produces.
The introduction of the CT6 comes as Cadillac works to firm up its position in the luxury car marketplace against the usual foreign brands that dominate the market, and it’s a bold and necessary move.
Looks
As my test vehicle pulled up, even from a distance I could tell it was a beautiful, long black Cadillac (one of the most classic types of American cars there is), and that I was going to like what I saw up close.
On the outside, It’s got a face that’s easy to love, not too flashy but still radiating a sense of importance, and will turn the heads of those who normally might not even notice cars.
The uniquely Cadillac design helps it stand out and not blend in with other lux- ury vehicles on the roadways.
Inside you get an extremely cozy setup, with tons of leg room in both rear and front seats, a slightly undersized trunk, and of course a luxurious interior design with highend leather seating and no cheap-feeling parts to be found.
Visually, the infotainment system is set up well and controls are accessible, though the operation of the system isn’t always that great (more on that later).
Engine, horsepower
There are a few engine options on the CT6, but my test vehicle had the best one: A 3.0-liter, V6 Twin Turbo engine featuring 404 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque. It also had an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Other engine options include a 2.0-liter four-banger (265 horsepower) and a 335hp 3.6-liter V6. My test vehicle was all-wheel-drive, but rear-wheel- drive is standard on base model.
With the type of compe- tition the CT6 is facing (all the german heavyweights, among others), the ride has to be perfect for potential buyers to take it seriously.
I have to give GM kudos here, as they nailed it with the CT6. This is amodel any driving enthusiast would be thrilled to wheel every day. The use of lightweight aluminum on the CT6 means that even though it’s longer than the CTS, it doesn’t gain any weight and can remain easy to maneuver.
It’s fast off the line, and when driving it does what you need to do, when you need to do it. If I were to hop out of the CT6 and into an Audi, BMWorMercedes equivalent, at worst the experience would be labeled a draw. There would be no disappointment going back to driving the CT6.
And that’s a big compli- ment. All those vehicles are legendary for their performance, and this newest Cadillac has stepped up to that level.
Technology, safety
As is to be expected with GM vehicles, you get OnStar and all that comes with it, from automatic accident assistance to help with directions, and much more.
WiFi (4G LTE) is standard on the CT6, and the vehicle is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems, keeping it up to date on currently in- car technology trends.
Offered on the vehicle are: RearVision camera, Enhanced Night Vision (a cool feature for low light driving, which includes pedestrian recognition), Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, front and rear automatic braking … and more.
The optional massaging seats are a treat and work very well (actually feels good, not just something poking you in the back).
There is a very cool rear seat entertainment setup, with the screens coming up out of the headrests. Audiophiles will enjoy the 34-speaker Bose Panaray sound system that is offered.
The one major flaw here, as per usual, is Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system. It’s among my least favorite infotainment systems in terms of user-friendliness and design, and a clear flaw in a vehicle that could otherwise be described as a true gem.
MPG
Official fuel mileage numbers on the CT6 are 18 city/26 highway/21 combined. I experienced numbers a bit lower than that, averaging just over 17 mpg during my time in the vehicle, though to be fair I wasn’t exactly soft-pedaling it all week.
Price
My test vehicle was just over $88,000; with a base price starting about $53K. These numbers compare well to its rivals, which are generally more expensive. A base Audi A8 starts at $82K, base Mercedes S- Class starts at $96K, base BMW 7-series starts at $82K, base Jaguar XJ starts at $75K, base Lexus LS starts at $73K, and base Maserati Quattroporte starts at $101K; All these rivals top out between $95K and $169K, while I tested the highest priced version of the CT6, at $88,460.
Bottom line
If Cadillac would improve or replace the CUE system, the CT6 would be an easy five stars out of five. It’s that enjoyable to drive and comfortable to be in, and with its affordable price compared to rivals, should shake up the marketplace for luxury sedans. Matt Myftiu can be reached at matt.myftiu@ oakpress.com, or on Twitter @MattMyftiu. His past reviews can all be seen online at autotechreviews.com.