2017 Cadillac CT6 Road Test and Review

2017 Cadillac CT6 exterior front angle by Nicolas Stecher ・ Photo by Nicolas Stecher

Cadillac is currently undergoing a serious product offensive. By 2020, GM’s most elevated marque aims to deliver eight all-new vehicles—and the CT6 is first. The flagship luxury sedan is entering one of the most brutally competitive and expensive segments there is, facing stiff competition from the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar FJ, and Audi A7. But as part of a $12-billion product investment promised by General Motors to “expand and elevate” its resurgent prestige marque, the CT6 has the full force of America’s best engineers (and designers) behind it. Featuring an all-new aluminum-intensive chassis, three different powertrains, and a litany of futuristic technology—including some segment exclusives—the CT6 is coming to the party prepared. Autobytel sampled this opulent cruiser for a week in Los Angeles.

Omega Chassis

All cars start with the chassis, and this executive saloon sits on a brand new “Omega” architecture GM developed strictly for the CT6. Engineers reportedly conducted over 50 million hours of computational analysis and 200,000 structural simulations to perfect the innovative chassis.

Although two-thirds aluminum, the Omega uses 11 different materials and GM’s most advanced manufacturing techniques. The results are a stiff, lightweight chassis—the most rigid in its highly competitive segment. You can feel this holistic integrity throughout the driving experience; the CT6 just feels solid.

Photo by Nicolas Stecher

Three Powerplants

The Cadillac CT6 is available with three different engines. The base is a turbocharged 4-cylinder 2.0-liter making 265-horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. The mid-level engine is a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 with direct injection and active fuel management. It offers 335 hp (at 6,800 rpm) and 284 lb.-ft. of torque (at 5,300 rpm). In its top trim, the CT6 receives a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 generating 400 hp and 400 lb.-ft. of torque.

All three powerplants come mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. With the turbo four all power is directed to the rear axle, while both V6s boast active-on-demand AWD standard. In Tour mode, 60 percent of the torque goes rearward; in Sport, that's ramped up to 80 percent.

Photo by General Motors

Driving Experience

The remarkable rigidity of the aluminum-intensive chassis lays the framework for superb handling and driving dynamics, especially for a vehicle of this size. With the 400-hp V-6 and GM’s Magnetic Ride Control—magneto-rheological dampers that can alter the car’s suspension from cloudlike wafting to surefooted tautness—make for a full-size sedan that handles like a midsize offering. Don’t be fooled: The CT6 is fun to drive, and it does not sacrifice dynamics for pillow-soft comfort.

The Magnetic Ride Control is part of the Active Chassis package, which also includes Active Rear Steer. This rear-steering system, which makes its debut in this Caddy, pivots rear wheels up to 3.5 degrees. We’ve seen this technology in cars like the BMW 7-Series M, new Porsche Panamera and Alfa Romeo Guilia Quadrifoglio—all high-dollar sedans that set driving dynamics at a premium. Active Rear Steer is a nice touch and may make you bolder than you ought to be. Should you find yourself moving too fast, 4-piston Brembo brakes are a quick press of the pedal away, scrubbing speed with authority.

Photo by General Motors

Considerable Considerations

The CT6 is full of generous conveniences for the driver. Walk up to the Cadillac and all the concierge lights illuminate to help you see your key. Turn the ignition and a Panaray speaker rises ceremoniously from the top of the dashboard. This luxurious 34-speaker Bose system comes standard in Platinum trim, or can be purchased as a stand-alone option in Luxury and Premium Luxury trims ($3,700).

All four seats are heated, with the front two buckets offering muscle-limbering massage settings at the push of a button. One of its most underrated luxuries is the silence of the cabin. When the CT6 launched, execs promised “bank vault” levels of quiet, mostly thanks to the integrity of the aluminum chassis. Turns out they weren’t lying: the Cadillac is as whisper quiet as segment-leading German offerings like the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-series.

Photo by General Motors

Tech Wizardry

Any executive saloon worth its crystalized LEDs these days will come bristling with technological wizardry. It’s essential in establishing the sort of exemplary feeling you want from a flagship sedan. And in the technology department, the Cadillac CT6 doesn’t disappoint. There’s wireless phone charging, and OnStar 4G LTE to make the CT6 its own Wi-Fi hotspot. On the driver display, something called Enhanced Night Vision will identify people and large animals via heat signatures so you can avoid them in the dark.

There’s more. The CT6 can continually film from both the front and rear cameras, or switch to a 360-degree view when activated by the security system. That’s an industry first, as is the Rear Camera Mirror—a screen integrated into the rearview mirror that plays the feed from the rear camera to display a wide, unobstructed view of what’s behind you.

Photo by General Motors

CUE Entertainment System

Cadillac’s CUE entertainment system summons much ire from automotive journalists, but the hate is no longer justified. Frustrating lag issues are mostly a thing of the past, and the intuitive system offers nice touches like a bar along the bottom of the 10.2-inch capacitive touchscreen where you can set anything instantly available. It could be a home address, airports, radio stations, phone number–whatever you use with regularity available at the touch of a fingertip.

The large, crisp, high-def CUE screen dominates the center stack, and can also be manipulated via a handwriting-recognizing touchpad on the center console.

Photo by General Motors

The Cadillac of Interiors. Finally!

GM has burned a lot of calories paying lip service to an improved cabin experience. And while many Cadillacs have displayed marked improvements here and there, the CT6 is the car that finally nails it for GM: Without a doubt, the layout of the CT6 cabin is GM's finest. The cabin is laid out horizontally, with smooth leather over the top of the dash, and a perforated leather motif running up the center stack. The CT6 tested by Autobytel featured glossy wood veneer on the doors above the driver's air vent and above the passenger glove box. There's even carbon-fiber detailing and hints of real metal on the door handles, vents, seat controllers, and climate controls.

Photo by General Motors

Rear Command

The rear seats are one of the finest touches of the CT6; they look properly sculpted from a combination of fine perforated and smooth leather. Passengers are also offered plenty of knee and headroom—more than five exrtra inches of rear legroom as compared to its CTS little brother. The rear buckets aren't as chauffeur-focused as those of some of Cadillac's German or Korean rivals (no removable tablets or hot stone massages to be found), but in America that's irrelevant. Nobody driving the CT6 will likely hire a full-time chauffeur. And they would be fools to, for the driving experience of the Cadillac is great, a unique mix of luxurious comfort and throttle sizzle.

Photo by General Motors

Final Thoughts

In an example of design trumping function, the sideview mirrors are really too small. It's unfortunate because you know some designer fought tooth and nail for the smaller mirrors and they add a lot to the exterior design, but they're simply too narrow to offer a confident view. Otherwise, the 2017 Cadillac CT6 stacks up incredibly well in price point to its more celebrated S-Class and 7-Series rivals, and offers much more size and value than their respective E-Class and 5-Series cousins.

Photo by General Motors