2016 Cadillac CT6

Engineers worked hard to keep the structure above the front wheels as low as possible, and that helped the designers give the car an athletic, planted stance with the sheet metal draped over the wheels. The long dash-to-axle ratio indicates this is a rear-drive-based car. The short front overhang adds to the athletic look, while the long rear overhang gives a sense of direction and indicates this a large car.

Continuing beyond the long hood and past the cabin's relatively high waistline, the CT6 is also similar to the CTS from the rear. The shapes of the C-pillars and muscular rear haunches are close, though the CT6's additional length lets the lines play out over a larger canvas. Also, at the very rear, the CT6 shares the CTS's high rear deck and sharply vertical taillights.

Inside, the CT6 has a horizontal theme to emphasize the width. A single character line runs the full width of the dash, and the center peak from the exterior can be found on top of the dash as well. The shape of the opening for the 10.2-inch center screen echoes the chevron shape of the grille, and the same shape can be found in the seat pattern. Again, satin chrome is used to keep the car from looking too "blingy," and it is accented by wood, carbon fiber, and leather.

The result is a car that, in its lightest form, weighs in at just 3,657 pounds. That’s about 1,000 pounds less than the S-Class and 100 pounds less than the size-smaller 5 Series and E-Class. Of course, that’s only with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 and rear-wheel drive. Models with the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and all-wheel drive weigh in at 4,085 pounds. That’s still 225 pounds lighter than the lightest BMW 7 Series, but it means the CT6 doesn’t exactly spar against the welterweights.

Given its modest weight, you might expect the CT6 to drive like a sport sedan. However, there is simply too much car here to deliver the sporty handling of one of the best mid-size sports sedans on the planet. Instead, the CT6 combines a capable dynamic character with on-road comfort.

From the driver’s seat, all CT6 models have the vault-like, hunkered down ride quality of the top full-size luxury sedans, though the suspension is a bit firmer than you’ll find in the 7 Series and certainly firmer than in the S-Class. Similarly, the steering is heavier and more direct than you’ll find in the CT6’s full-size rivals.

The CT6 launches with a trio of direct-injected engines, all mated to 8-speed automatic transmissions: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 making 265 horsepower, a 3.6-liter V-6 with 335 hp, and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that produces 404 hp.

The purest expression of the CT6’s weight savings ideology is actually the 2.0-liter, rear-wheel-drive base model. With 428 fewer pounds to carry around, this version feels the most agile, the lightest on its feet, and the closest thing to a full-size sports sedan. The 4-cylinder provides good power, too. Cadillac quotes a 6.1-second 0 to 60 mph time and that feels right.

The new-twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 delivers strong, smooth power, cutting the 0 to 60 mph time to 5.3 seconds. However, it also adds more weight over the nose. That makes turn-in a bit slower and gives the car a tendency to understeer when pushed into corners. The lighter base model rotates a bit better and so do models equipped with the optional active rear steering system (part of the $3,300 Active Chassis Package), which can apply 3.5 degrees of opposite steering angle to the rear wheels to virtually shorten low-speed turns.

The driver’s seat is a luxurious place to command a very pleasant car, but it too trails the competition. The driver's seat is a bit too firm, without enough bolstering and too little range of motion in its adjustments to allow all types of drivers to find their ideal seating positions. Space, however, is not a problem, as there is plenty of room for even tall drivers.

Rear seat passengers will be even more comfortable than those up front. The rear seat has enough leg room for an NBA forward, and head room is plentiful, too. A large center console provides storage and a handy armrest. It covers what is otherwise a rather unfriendly middle seating position. The outboard seats are practically buckets and the middle occupant has to sit on a perch and deal with the transmission tunnel. A Rear Seat Package includes massaging and reclining rear seats, as well as a pair of 10-inch screens for entertainment.

The trunk is large with 15.3 cubic feet of storage space. However, the rear seats don't fold down to increase carrying capacity. Instead, Cadillac offers a rear pass-through that will accommodate long, skinny objects like skis.

Cadillac offers three other major safety packages. The Driver Vision Package comes with the Driver Awareness safety features, plus an automatic parking feature. The Driver Assistance Package adds adaptive cruise control, low-speed automatic front braking with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic rear braking. The Driver Assist Package comes with adaptive cruise control, front and rear automatic braking, and enhanced night vision, which identifies people and large animals as heat signatures on a display in the driver information center.

The CT6 hasn't been crash tested yet, but its solid structure should produce top results. 

The Luxury model adds a 10-speaker version of the Bose audio system, a heated steering wheel, and 16-way power front seats. It also gets a Driver Awareness and Convenience Package that is optional on the base model. It comes with forward collision alert, navigation, a following distance indicator, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, front pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic safety belt tightening, heated front seats, blind-spot monitors, intelligent high-beam headlights, power folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, low-speed automatic braking, and a panoramic sunroof.

The Premium Luxury model adds an Enhanced Vision and Comfort Package that comes with the rear camera mirror, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof. It also gets a larger 12-inch gauge cluster, a head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, and 19-inch wheels.

An Active Chassis Package features GM's Magnetic Ride Control suspension, 20-inch wheels, and active rear steering. A Rear Seat Package features power reclining rear seats with lumbar adjustment; heated and ventilated rear seats; a rear center armrest with media controls; rear seat entertainment system with two 10-inch screens, a remote control, an auxiliary input jack, an HDMI port, and two wireless headphones; and four-zone automatic climate control. A Bose Panaray 34-speaker audio system is a $3,700 option. The Platinum model comes standard with all of these packages, plus the Driver Assistance with Night Vision Package outlined in the Safety section.