2020 Cadillac CT6

Starting from an average score of 5, the CT6 gets a point above average for its interior. The exterior is sharp, although we’re not sure how many will notice it once it’s gone. It nets a 6 out of 10.

The CT6 is sharper and more angular than its contemporaries, notably the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series that are much softer. The CT6’s vertical headlights have now been plunked on to the XT6 three-row crossover that takes the sedan’s place as the default Cadillac cruiser. (The Escalade is its own animal, really.) 

Inside, the CT6 finds a balance between luxe and character. It’s far removed from the bling of other Cadillacs but expressive in its own right. The car’s dash plays up the CT6’s width and its big presence on the road. It’s functional and pretty, in an understated way that we wish Cadillac would explore further with the cars it plans on building past the CT6’s final year. 

Most CT6 sedans will be equipped with a 3.6-liter V-6 that makes 335 hp that powers all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic. It’s not especially quick, but it is confident and enough power to rip off mountain passes along Interstate 80 when called upon. There’s a mildly pleasant exhaust rumble from inside the cabin, and it’s hard to fault it when it returns more than 20 mpg combined, according to the EPA. 

The optional engine, which is wildly overpriced but likely a lot more fun, is a rare 4.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 that makes 550 hp and will live on far longer than the CT6. Called “Blackwing” by Cadillac, the engine is also paired to a 10-speed automatic and all-wheel drive and is the next sleeper at every stoplight. We haven’t yet driven the engine—it’s only available in very limited numbers in the CT6—and we’re not sure we ever will. At six figures for the engine and the car wrapped around it, it’s very expensive. But also very rare. And it’s likely to be an instant collectible when it goes on sale. 

Most CT6 sedans ride on a four-wheel independent suspension, although Premium Luxury and Platinum cars use adaptive dampers that make its ride smoother or sharper, depending on the setting. 

The front seats are comfortable and power-adjustable, but they're also firm and flat. There’s enough leg room for NBA centers to drive, but we’ve found it tricky to position the seat in a natural driving position for everyone else under the bell curve. 

The back seat is palatial and in top trims, highly entertaining. There’s enough room for just about any-sized body and Platinum trims get 10.0-inch touchpads to while away the time. The rear outboard seats can be heated too, for extra comfort in cold-weather climates. The center position is best for an armrest, not necessarily a fifth passenger, which we appreciated on a long slog. 

The trunk holds 15.3 cubic feet of cargo, which is spacious, and the rear seat folds down for more room. 

The base CT6 Luxury gets 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, power-adjustable heated front seats, leather upholstery, two USB ports, a wireless phone charger, active safety features (covered above), a 10.2-inch touchscreen for infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, keyless ignition, an 8.0-inch digital driver information cluster, keyless ignition, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and parking sensors. 

That good base equipment and its touchscreen net it two points above average. It’s a 7 for features. 

We’d go all-in on a CT6 Platinum that costs nearly six figures but is bound to be an instant classic among full-size domestic sedans. The headliner is a hugely powered V-8 engine that makes 550 hp, a 12.0-inch digital driver information cluster, dual 10.0-inch touchscreens in the rear seats, Cadillac’s Super Cruise driver-assistance package, 20-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, rear-wheel steering, 34-speaker Bose audio, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, aniline leather upholstery, head-up display, a surround-view camera system, four-zone climate control, and night vision camera. At $98,790 before options, it’s rich, but so is the noise that V-8 makes. 

Rare V-8-powered models manage 14/25/17 mpg, according to the EPA. Non-hybrid full-sizers from Mercedes and Audi are roughly similar, although some with plug-in powertrains do much better.