Having made its debut for the 2016 model year, the Cadillac CT6 full-size sedan is taking GM’s prestige-luxury brand to new heights. And according to a recently-published order guide, Cadillac is looking to continue the model’s success by giving the range-topping sedan a series of updates the changes for the 2018 model year — its third year on the market. In general, the changes and updates should make the vehicle more competitive and more attractive to consumers while delivering a better user and ownership experience.
On the outside, the 2018 Cadillac CT6 loses four colors and gains three new ones:
Deleted Colors
- Red Passion Tintcoat
- Phantom Gray Metallic
- Moonstone Metallic
- Dark Emerald Metallic
New Colors
- Satin Steel Metallic (available at extra charge; no additional charge on Platinum)
- Stone Gray Metallic (available at extra charge; no additional charge on Platinum; late availability)
- Red Horizon Tintcoat (available at extra charge; late availability)
The exterior changes are rounded out by the addition of a high-pressure washer to the rear-facing camera lens that provides the video feed for the CT6’s Rear Camera Mirror.
Inside, the 2018 CT6 adds auto-ventilated front seat functionality as well as an automatic heated steering wheel, which can turn on the ventilated functionality after the vehicle has been started. In addition, the range-topping CT6 Platinum trim level gets a leather-wrapped driver-side airbag cover (on the steering wheel), and the illuminated trunk sill plate is now installed at the factory, rather than an LPO-level item installed by the dealer.
Arguably the biggest updates to the 2018 CT6 come in the form of in-vehicle technology. Specifically, the 2018 CT6 sees its CUE infotainment system updated to version 2.6, thereby enabling two new features:
- Collection: essentially an app store for the CUE infotainment system, CUE Collection enables users to easily browse, select and install apps that enhance the driving experience. Using the vehicle’s touch screen, users can customize their content with music, audiobooks, weather and more (data plan rates may apply). CUE Collection is only available with the CUE system with navigation (IO6).
- Teen Driver: a configurable feature that lets you activate customizable vehicle settings associated with a key fob to encourage safe driving behavior. The Teen Driver feature can limit certain vehicle features, and prevents certain safety systems from being turned off. An in-vehicle report gives you information on your teen’s driving habits and helps parents continue to coach their new driver.
In addition, GM’s Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control can now be switched to Regular Cruise Control by the driver and Automatic Park Assist adds pedal operation, meaning that the 2018 CT6 can fully park itself without the intervention of the driver.
The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may be different for other markets.
For the U.S. and Canadian markets, the 2018 Cadillac CT6 is assembled by GM U.S.A. at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant near Detroit, Michigan, USA. The 2018 Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid, meanwhile, is assembled by GM China and imported to North America.
More Information & Reporting
- Cadillac CT6Â info
- 2018 Cadillac CT6Â info
- 2018 Cadillac CT6 changes, updates, new features
- 2018 Cadillac CT6 order guide
- 2018 Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid info
- 2018 Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid changes, updates, new features
- 2018Â Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid order guide
- Cadillac CT6 sales numbers
- Cadillac CT6 news
Comments
What’s a leather wrapped driver side airbag?
Still trying to figure that out. Stay tuned.
Leather wrapped drivers airbag is the air bag in the steering wheel
Just like in the CTS Premium and Escalade Platinum, and XTS Platinum, all three have the nice looking airbag/horn cover that is leather wrapped.
Yup, that’s correct gents. GM’s terminology here was a bit misleading… I would personally call it a leather-wrapped airbag cover rather than a leather-wrapped airbag. Glad you guys figured it out 🙂
I was going to say not sure how I would feel about a leather wrapped airbag
Incorrect. Adaptive cruise is getting the ability to turn into regular cruise. That’s it. The vehicle was already equipped with full speed range adaptive cruise, but it was always on.
Also, auto heated steering wheel and auto vented seats operate after the vehicle has been turned on. The car already had the ability to do this during remote start.
You are correct, Paul. Thank you for the note. Article updated.
And Super Cruise feature?
High pressure washer for the camera huh? they must have found it was vulnerable to build up of debris and dirt in inclement weather driving or something. IMO another quick fix for tech. that we didn’t really need I guess. Leather wrapped air bag to give good facial scuffing when it goes off. ha.
Most of this stuff I thought the CT6 already had available. The illuminated trunk sill was available from the start as was the auto heated seats and steering wheel like someone else pointed out. Also full range adaptive cruise is far from new on this car. However I still see no mention of super cruise that everyone keeps saying is coming.
The illuminated trunk sill was available from the start as an LPO-level accessory… not from the factory. That’s the change for MY 2018.
The seats were not auto-vented and the steering wheel was not auto-heated before the 2018 MY. Those features were both available as on-demand (driver turns them on) or during a Remote Start operations. By contrast, both of the features now have the ability to turn themselves on automatically when the vehicle after the vehicle has been started.
Super Cruise might arrive for 2018i (interim)… or for 2019. Mum’s the word on that at the current point in time.
Alex
Not sure what LPO translates to(limited production option) but illuminated trunk lighting is detailed on all 2017 configurators I’ve seen and used.
Martin — this is a bit inside baseball but I wouldn’t mind shedding some light on it.
LPO is an option that (in GM parlance) is not installed at the factory but is usually produced and shipped to dealers or to accessory distribution centers (ADs) separately from the vehicle. In other words, the part is considered an accessory. For 2016-2017 CT6, the illuminated trunk sill was an LPO that carried RPO code 5RU. It was available to dealers from GM’s ADs (accessory distribution centers).
Previously, this feature was shipped to the dealer and installed in the vehicle by the dealer during PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) — the same process in which dealers prepare the vehicle for delivery by removing the plastic seat wrapping, installing the license plate mounting hardware, etc.
For the 2018 CT6, the illuminated trunk sill plate is built into the car from the factory… which in my opinion is how it should have been from the start. In addition, it now does not carry an RPO code, as it’s simply installed in the car at the factory as part of the build sheet/build bin.
The reason you see it in the online configurator is that the configurator bundles RPOs and LPOs together to make the process seamless for the customer (as it should be). It’s the same reason you see other accessories in the configurator as well. But the difference, as I have explained, is on the implementation level.
To summarize:
– For the 2016-2017 CT6, the illuminated trunk still plate was standard in the CT6 Platinum and installed by the dealer. It was also available as an accessory for non-Platinum models.
– For the 2018 CT6, the illuminated trunk sill plate is included in the CT6 Platinum as a standard feature from the factory (thereby circumventing its handling by dealers). Because of this change, the part might also might cease to be available as an accessory… but I’m not sure about that at the moment.
Alex
Appreciate it. Thanks!
any news about super cruise and v8 bi-turbo?
Not yet. It would seem that those features would either be 2018i (2018 interim model year) or 2019 model year altogether.
Cadillac seriously needs to get that 4.2L TT V8 out or they might as well pack up and close shop
And no apparent additions on interior color choices!
Platinum, $88k+model with TWO interior color choices!
On Premium luxury, depending upon packages ordered you are entitled to black. If you order the Premium carpeted mats, you can only get black. Sorry, that is no way to entice me to spend $81k of my money.
Luxury partially equates to options! The lowly 3 series probably offers twice the interior colors!
Agreed, if I was going to spend 70k+ on a car, I better be able to choose a gray interior at the least, not just black. This goes along side another issue I have with the car, there are no options, just packages that include things I don’t want and don’t want to pay for.
I have bought or leased 15 new Cadillacs and currently have a 2017 CTS 3.6 Luxury and a 2012 SRX Performance Edition. Both are Crystal White Metallic. I have loved and enjoyed all of my Cadillacs, but it bothers me that all but 2 colora are extra cost options and all cost $995.00. That translates to about $25.00 a month on a lease. I think Cadillac should offer more standard colors including a plain white.
Totally agree there should be more color options. The palette hasn’t changed much in awhile.
Regarding the cost, the Red Obsession and the Crystal White are generally $995, but the other optional colors are less–$595 in the CTS line. Radiant Silver and Raven Black as the only standards is just plain cheapo/econobox!
Martin,
I agree with you. The salesman on my last purchase was pushing black interior/exterior on me. I finally told him they can put me in a black Cadillac when I’m dead. He got angry!
I bought red obsession. First time someone tried to down sell me.
Black Cadillacs are beautiful but require too much attention for a daily for me. Love a clean black car.
I think I’m finally beginning to understand the luxury car business and am ready for a trip to Tomorrow Land. High-pressure performance operation content super illuminated automatic infotainment platinum heated full-speed adaptive auto-ventilated multi-word extra charge paint code experience edition app fob.
One thing I would like to have seen is the rear door sill plates light up instead of the trunk’s .
If this car is meant to chauffeur people around I think it would be a nice touch .
Also on the delete items for 2018 is that pumpkin orange leather that they call cinnamin , that is even used on GMC’s .
I know people that do not like leather seats , I also would like to see an option for cloth seats escpecially now that you can get them heated . In the Escala that was a major focus on the car was the fabric used for the seating which was carried on to the door panels .
If GM can come up with a washer for the rear camera for that rear view mirror could they not come up with a way to also wash the rear back-up camera .
And not one of these changes will do squat for sales. Two exterior colors that don’t cost a lot extra. Cheap door panel plastics.
A base 4 cylinder engine that is shared in lesser Chevy models that cost less than half as much and has no place in this car. No RWD V6 model. Grossly overpriced. No V8 and a Chinese hybrid that hasn’t shown up yet. It’s no wonder Cadillac is failing to the end degree in passenger car sales.
I think you’re spot on, Joe