2016 Cadillac CT6 3.0TT Platinum: First Drive
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I thought Cadillac was passed the “tweener car” malarky, but the 2016 Cadillac CT6 suggests otherwise. At 204 inches in length, the CT6 is very much a full-size executive sedan. Yet with the 2.0L base engine, the MSRP is a relatively cost-effective $53,495. Almost half that of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class starting price. Some industry experts are even saying that the amount of vehicle for the price is enticing enough for the CT6 to lure buyers away from its smaller (yet slightly heavier) brother, the Cadillac CTS. We’ve seen this before.
Yet! Option out a CT6 to where its powertrain and content levels are more in line with the likes of the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, etc… and it paints a different picture. One that is more balanced and in-line with the German competition. This happens when the CT6 is equipped with the all-new LGW 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine with 404 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, paired with an in-house 8-speed automatic transmission. This is the CT6 we’ve been looking for, on paper, at least. For the most luxurious experience Cadillac can offer, opt for the Platinum trim level. At that point, there’s the choice of going with a loaded-to-the-gills 2016 Cadillac CT6, or a very base-level S-Class for a few grand more. But only try-hards get the base models.
We’ve long been anticipating something above the Cadillac CT6, which would fulfill the need of a large flagship luxury sedan. This sort of statement is necessary for a brand that built itself off large flagship luxury sedans. Hopefully that isn’t lost on the marketing department, or the product planners.
We’ve driven the CT6 previously, albeit in rear-wheel-drive, 2.0L turbo form. Proponents of that guise tout both its lightness and weight distribution. Ze Germans use a word called “dynamism” to describe those characteristics, we believe. The Cadillac CT6 3.0TT can only be had with all-wheel drive, and as a result carries more heft, while adding over 100 more horsepower. And while it has over 400 horsepower, we won’t dare describe the CT6 twin-turbo as a V-sport, let alone a full-on V-Series. But not in a negative connotation. Rather, the CT6 3.0TT is an equilibrium of both power and opulence. Will this formula make American luxury sedans great again? Let’s see.
Just looking at the CT6 from the outside… there’s a very, very subtle menace to it. A sort of umami flavor of intimidation. And while, yes, it still pales in comparison to the presence of any of the three astonishing Cadillac concepts that have rolled out over the past five years, it can still hold its own. Especially in the segment full of restrained design. The size of the CT6 definitely helps with its ubiety, but those reverse-goth teardrop headlights help it more. They’re highly distinguishable in the gloom, and emanate the impression that the CT6 is tearing out beams of light down its fascia. While I personally think there’s still more room for some moxie in the design of a Cadillac flagship, I have indeed grown to like it over time.
Inside, there’s a Platinum-exclusive suede headliner that cascades over the cashmere-hued interior (with “maple sugar accents,” as Cadillac puts it), and chevron-perforated leather seats that felt nothing short of indulgent. Otherwise, there wasn’t much change from the interior in the Cadillac CT6 2.0T that was previously tested. But putting it that way doesn’t do much justice. Because with the CT6 Platinum; the Bose Panaray sound system, driver convenience package, dual retractable 10-inch rear seat entertainment with a remote, four-way climate control, a rear armrest control console, a trio of rear sun shades, panoramic moonroof, radar-based adaptive cruise control, front/rear automatic braking, a 360-degree parking camera… and on, and on… are all standard. There has never been a more contented Cadillac.
Not seen in lesser models is a very sophisticated night vision system that displays in the digital instrument cluster – locking on to things such as road signs, and moving objects such as cars, animals, and people. Yes, it works with the lights off. It should be in a mafia movie as a, um, instrument of significant story development. Stop scowling.
Blemishing this $90,945 sedan (as tested), however, is the fact that the same plastics that can be found on lesser models remain unchanged with the Platinum, which comes in roughly $35,000 higher. They couldn’t find it in that wide margin to utilize better materials for, say, the seat adjusters? Or they couldn’t find anything other than what looks like a sticker as the front emblem, because of the adaptive cruise control radar?
It’s like serving a perfectly cooked wagyu burger with a perfectly toasted brioche bun, with perfectly caramelized mushrooms… and friggin’ Heinz mostly-corn-syrup-but-somehow-passes-for-ketchup. At Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, it’s known better not to blend budget ingredients with haute cuisine. Even if that is the premise to Andy Milonakis’ Fat Prince, and even if it is an entertaining YouTube show to watch – it doesn’t mean it should be practiced outside the realm of comedy.
Maybe it’s not fair to compare a fully loaded 2016 Cadillac CT6 to a base Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which starts (starts!) at $96,600. Though it does plainly show what league Benz is in with its flagship sedan when it comes to opulence. However, the Cadillac has an ace. And where developers may have short changed a few little things – the driving dynamics are bang. on. The vehicle behavior of the 1,100-lb heavier S-Class feels as if it were made of wood and stones, where the mixed material body structure of CT6, is a masterpiece of modern engineering.
Where the CT6 3.0TT Platinum differs here from the 2.0T model we’ve previously tested is that mandatory all-wheel-drive. This is not a 404 horsepower Australian drift machine. This is a business luxury sedan, and it should be composed as such. The AWD is then amplified by the standard active rear steering. Not only does four wheel steering aid in decreasing the overall turning radius (a relatively tidy 18.5-inches – 1.5 feet less than that of the S-Class), but it also aids in road maneuverability. With four wheel steering, the CT6 Platinum shifts into lanes with less roll than before. This gives the big Cadillac an unprecedented agility for its size. With a 54/46 front/rear weight distribution, the base model is more balanced on paper, but the 3.0TT and active steering is my recommendation for the enthusiasts’ choice. Perhaps even the choice for those who want to channel their inner Statham in the Transporter films.
As much of a wonder as it is to drive, there remains a paradox. The CT6 is likely a vehicle that one would be driven in, just as much as the owner would drive it. Where if the owner was indeed routinely driving a CT6 Platinum in this case, they’d likely have the money to opt for Cadillac’s fastest car, the 640-hp CTS-V. And who’s going to pass that up?
More importantly, does the Cadillac CT6 Platinum feel special? Yes, but not in ways that are initially immediate. Like the beginning of any strong relationship, it takes some getting beyond the initial visuals to really understand what’s below the surface, and takes some savoring. And to find that point can be rather blissful with the CT6. However, shallow buyers are likely to overlook it.
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It seems like this car is a 8 out of 10.
Mostly very good but with a few blemishes.
This car is imposing and striking in person but it is unfortunate that Cadillac missed the mark. They should have gone the full monty and made this car more opulant and even more striking.
Hate to say it but I think the Continental is more true to form for this segment than the CT6 is.
True the CT6 is dynamically superior and traditional in being a RWD based full sized luxury sedan but there is something missing.
The marketing hasn’t helped as well to try and showcase the car.
I saw the Continental commercial for the first time yesterday and it was sexy as hell.
I do not like Matthew McConaughey as an actor very much and generally Lincoln’s are not my thing but the commercial hit it out of the park.
There was a sense of presense, purpose and prestige in how they showed the car that to me seems to be missing from the CT6 spots I have seen.
Judge for yourself;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVmBEaeXw14
Lincoln’s commercials are really good.
To get to where they need to be the blemishes need to go away.
The Continental has even more blemishes.
The one issue is the CT6 has two major problems. One they are seldom seen. There is not all that many around. That is good for exclusive but not good to be seen.
Second the real issue is at a distant glance it appears to be a CTS to the untrained Eye.
I expect Cadillac to make some changes in the CTS to set this and later the CT6 apart more in the looks department. Even Benz used the coupe style sedan styling to good effect to set their models apart.
As I have said the CT6 is a great car but it still lacks in execution. They need to enhance the quality feel and set the styling apart more.
If you want someone to step up from a CTS to a CT6 you need to give them a damn good reason. At this point we are still lacking the reason.
Lincoln will garner some more attention but they are still a long way off from gaining much respect. They really need to get their own platform. I expect they will at some point but Ford is reluctant to commit fully like GM has to Cadillac. The longer they wait the more difficult they will move up.
Lincoln can focus for now on the volume lower luxury segment. Chrysler had a great opportunity there with more investment in the 300 but Sergio threw it all away and let the car age and now discount it to sell at near Malibu prices. It has it all going and was a good launch but FCA failed the pubic.
I did not say that the Continental was better but that their advertising better highlights the vehicle and the feeling that I think is needed and that from a product standpoint the Continental is more plush which is what is expected in this category of vehicle.
There is no doubt that the CT6 is a more technologically advanced vehicle period.
Late to the game. But, I believe you are mistaken in the comparison of models. Yes, you have the right idea, but it is not the CTS customers Cadillac needs to convince, it’s the XTS customers. I’ve seen it, several times, where a buyer would go in for the largest model, love the CT6, but leave home with the XTS. They were never cross-shopping the CTS. They couldn’t justify the ~10k premium for a CT6. The XTS continues to dominate, and that should tell Cadillac something. Also a lack of advertising all around is a problem. It’s amazing how well the XTS does with Cadiliac shoppers, yet zero advertising. At least the CT6 has the “Dare Greatly” commercial.
Ya the the problems for the CT6 at this point….is the styling and there is too much hard plastic inside and out….I find it vary hard to spent $90K on a car with the same hard plastic and has the same stying as the ATS and CTS.
Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen has another misfire as the CT6 is good; but it needs the 640 horsepower LT4 to transform the CT6 with something that can compete against every super luxury sedan in the world.
JDN had next to nothing to do with this car. The program was set in motion well before he came on board. If anything, this car was given approval under GM lobbyist Bob Ferguson, who had no business running the brand, ever. He probably thought the plastics on a $90,000 car were “fine.”
As Manoli said JdN has nothing to really do with the design program that brought this vehicle to life.
I will say that if Cadillac does put a high performance engine in the CT6 they should do their proposed DOHC 4.2TT V8 instead of the small block based LT4.
Sure it is more powerful but it is perceived as less high-tech and cutting edge than dual cam multivalve engines.
The problem with a bargain offering from Cadillac is your attracting buyers either looking at cars like the Kia k900 and Genesis g90 or cars from Infiniti and Volvo. Not a great place to be in my opinion. The car may compete with Germans but it really isn’t there to compete if that makes sense.
I am not sure that is entirely correct. The CT6 is still a German big 3 competitor despite it’s shortcomings.
Making a significantly more expensive vehicle is not the key. I think the key is just make a better full sized luxury car.
The CT6 is a beautiful car and it does look low to the ground and looks smaller than it looks in traffic when it is not. The car is an understated aggressiveness on the streets.
Downfall with this car is the interior GM needs to address immediately. Also along with more features and tech that is missing from what the competitors are offering.
Sales of the CT6 is on point so nothing to worry about. Full size luxury cars entering this segment for the very first time, sales are not going to be very good for the first generation. It took them generations of successive models to built cache and the 7 Series and S Class is a good example of this. The A8 sales are better now compared to when they first came out but far behind in sales compared to its German competitors. Not sure what is going on with XJ but that car has no liking to the general public. The Lexus LS when started, had strong sales in the beginning, the third generation was there best selling model. The current generation have not sold well unfortunately. However, the CT6 will gain volume in several years.
It would be a good value if it had the same discount percentages as GM pickup trucks but that doesn’t seem to be the case. It’s nice but overpriced.
Wait until the CT6 Hybrid arrives, then do a second evaluation as a luxury sedan, not as a second sports sedan, since most CT6 buyers don’t care about sport driving.
That’s going to be tough, seeing as the CT6 PHEV is supposedly the quickest one yet. And it’s RWD only.
Is that a stated fact that the CT6 PHEV suppose to be the quickest of the bunch so far?
they cheaped out on the outside too….there is too much plastic inside and out….the one thing I don’t like is the plastic door handles that wiggle when you try to open the door….the CT6 is a cheap out.
I don’t see any more or less plastic on this car then on any other luxury car. I’m pretty sure the wood is wood and not plastic and the plastic parts seem to be n spots where only plastic could be used. Usually I have heard that the leather isn’t of the same quality as some others but it looks nice to me. I like the car. Not sure exactly what blemishes you guys keep talking about. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so if you don’t like the look then that’s a matter of opinion. I’ve seen plnety of Ugly German cars. Not all are Home Runs
The CT6 has a lot of cheap plastic. Other cars also use plastic, just not as much and a much higher quality.
The leather is also the cheapest kind available on the market.
And ofcourse the slow CUE and lack of buttons.
But the biggest problem is the horrible transmission.
How can GM deliver a new car with such a terrible cheap clunky transmission.
The next gen CT6 and XT5 will have these escala interior and exterior, and all new Cadillacs models will be escala enhanced.
So they will all look like Audi’s (a very cheap version), with extremely cheap and tacky cloth interiors in a sea of cheap plastic?
No thanks.
Escala enhanced interior will far better. These ct6 and xt5 were build before JDN ever got here.
Have you looked at the pictures of the escala?
The exterior looks like a cheap Audi A7 knock off.
The interior has more cheap plastic than the fisher price factory, the cloth instead of leather is downright pathetic, and the fit and finish is appaling.
It’s a true GM car for sure.
I agree…..before the CT6 came out I hoping that it would be inspired by the Elmeraj and Ceil and with 500hp V8 and good quality…..but we got a bigger more boring CTS with a lot of cheap plastic and materials and no V8…..just a total let down.
This car is grossly overpriced! 90K and the interior is only slightly better. For real? When a 45k Lincoln Continental has a more upscale interior than your top end Platinum model there is a very serious issue. GM’s temperamental 8 speed shifting issues is also inexcusable in this day and age. How hard is this? It is especially ludicrous considering that GM had some of the best shifting transmissions in the world during the early to mid 90’s with the 4T60E/4T80E units which was 26-27 years ago! Why do they keep messing this up? Why? I seldom hear these complaints on any Hyundai/Kia 8 speed unit. Even FCA’s 8 speed in the Charger/300 are superior shifters.
There is also no place whatsoever for the 2.0T which is a heavily used engine in the Chevy and Buick lineup and is offered on far cheaper Cadillac’s. This is there current flagship wether they want to admit that or not. For 55K this car should at the very least have the 3.6 with 335 HP. Note that the new Continental has the 3.7 with 305 Hp as std not some weaker noisy 4 cylinder. Regarding the interior door panels they should be some type of padded material and higher quality than the hard easy to scuff hard plastic on them now. Even the older XTS does this better. Don’t get me wrong. I like this car very much and would consider one. But the interior quality needs to improve along with the materials used. The 3.6 should be std at these price points. The Platinum should have far more upscale materials inside and the price should be more in line with the Continental.