Sticker shock from Caddy’s halo sedan
There was a lot of hand-wringing over what, specifically, the CT6 is supposed to be — what niche it fills — in our look at the four-cylinder model a few weeks back. Now that I’ve spent some time in this twin-turbocharged V6 CT6, I wish I could give you a clearer idea, but whatever answers this model provides with its 404 hp, it then obscures behind an $82,000 sticker price.
Variables aside, the CT6 Premium remains a large car with fantastic interior space for both front- and rear-seat passengers, loads of luxury features (the USB ports and power outlet below the center rear seats is one of those “why doesn’t everyone do this?” treats) and lovely sense of lightness behind the wheel. In other words, as big as it is, the CT6 doesn’t wallow around in turns like an old Crown Victoria; it feels more like an Audi A6 than a Fleetwood, helped by the powerful turbocharged engine under the hood.
To counter editor Wes Raynal’s complaints about the sound of the four-cylinder in our earlier CT6 tester, this growly V6 both sounds and feels like it belongs in a big luxury sedan. Here’s the weird part, though: There’s a shudder that makes it nearly impossible to come to a smooth stop. This could be an issue unique to our tester — if I put my mechanic’s hat on, I’m going to look at the torque converter clutch, because it feels as though it’s not disengaging early enough. Otherwise, it’s difficult to fault the CT6 Premium’s powertrain — a premium full-size sedan with all-wheel drive and 400-plus hp that can return 21 mpg combined is remarkable.
But have market trends (and marketing decisions) already marginalized the best big Cadillac ever? Consumers in general have abandoned large sedans in favor of crossovers; more troubling is Cadillac’s questionable focus on marketing to millennials via branded coffee shops in trendy New York neighborhoods.
With fewer than 700 sales in May, it’s got nowhere to go but up.
2016 Cadillac CT6 AWD
OPTIONS: driver assist package including front and rear automatic braking, adaptive cruise control and enhanced night vision ($4,380); Bose sound system including 34 speakers ($3,700); active chassis package including magnetic ride control, rear active steering, 20-inch ultra-bright machined aluminum, silver premium painted pockets wheels ($3,300); crystal white tricoat ($995); comfort package including heated rear outboard seats and ventilated front seats ($900)
