2019 Cadillac CT6 Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Overview

Sleek styling and high-tech features help the CT6 shed the Cadillac clichés in an attempt to best its European rivals. Despite being smaller and cheaper than flagships from BMW and Mercedes, the CT6's halo status compels a comparison with those well-established rivals. Ultimately, the Caddy lacks the superior craftsmanship and mighty powertrains of its German competitors—reclaiming the company's Standard of the World slogan will require more. Still, the 2019 Cadillac CT6 has a remarkable ride and handles more like a sports car than a limousine. Its four- and six-cylinder engines are competent but unremarkable compared with the V-12s of some competitors. While the mack-daddy Caddy lacks the wow factor of high-end rivals, it offers elegant styling and singular driving dynamics at a more affordable price.

What's New for 2019?

Cadillac has announced a new CT6-V model for 2019 that will be powered by a twin-turbo 4.2-liter V-8 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The hot-rod CT6 will wear summer tires and comes with a limited-slip rear differential; it also boasts sharper exterior styling than lesser CT6s in the form of unique front and rear bumpers, a mesh grille, and 20-inch wheels. All CT6 models receive new front and rear lighting elements inspired by the Escala concept from 2016. Inside, the CT6 loses its fussy trackpad controller for the infotainment system in favor of a more user-friendly clickwheel located on the center console. A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is now the entry-level engine and comes with the 10-speed automatic. The plug-in hybrid model is dead. Speaking of dead, GM has announced that the entire CT6 lineup will be phased out after the 2019 model year.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

We like the twin-turbo version paired with the Sport model. It might not be as quick as the CT6-V, but it's got plenty of gusto and adds desirable standard features such as a panoramic sunroof and heated and ventilated seats. We'd also add the Super Cruise package, which includes GM's high-tech semi-autonomous driving mode and a host of other driver-assistance features such as automated emergency braking, night vision, and adaptive cruise control.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Likes: Range of engines to suit every buyer, gutsy twin-turbo V-6, genuinely athletic chassis.
Dislikes: Weak base engine, high-performance V model will be expensive, very firm suspension.

The engines of the CT6 get better, as you might expect, the higher their rated horsepower goes. That leaves the base turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder as the least satisfying of the bunch and the twin-turbocharged V-8 as the best. Sprinkle the non-turbo 3.6-liter V-6 and the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 somewhere in between. With the 3.6-liter, the CT6 managed a 5.9-second zero-to-60-mph time at our test track; the twin-turbo V-6 ripped to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. We're looking forward to testing out the new CT6-V model and its 550-horsepower twin-turbocharged V-8, but we'll gladly skip the turbo four.

Cadillac's decade-long chase for BMW-challenging driving dynamics has ended: the American brand has caught up—just as BMW has abandoned the concept. The CT6 is hands down the most satisfying large sedan out there to drive, even if its actual performance numbers fall short of the competition's. The only issue with the Cadillac's sharp steering, peerless body control, and firm suspension (with both the baseline suspension and the optional adaptive dampers with driver-selectable settings) is that we're not sure buyers in the luxo-limousine segment are looking for those attributes. But we sure appreciate them, since they compromise the CT6's ride comfort only slightly and its interior quietude not at all.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Among the lightest cars in its class and lacking optional V-12 power, the Cadillac CT6 unsurprisingly is among the most efficient. Every CT6 we've tested has exceeded its EPA-estimated highway fuel economy in our real-world fuel-economy test. Curiously, the higher-powered twin-turbo V-6 managed a 30-mpg result in our testing while the non-turbo 3.6-liter V-6 eked out only 28 mpg.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Likes: Plenty of connectivity tech, large trunk space, accommodating interior.
Dislikes: Busy interior design, navigation not standard, no folding rear seats.

The CT6 simply can't match the awe-inspiring interiors that grace its premium rivals. We'd call it unimaginatively styled, but someone put a lot of effort into cramming wood, carbon fiber, metal trim, and layers upon layers of different types of leather, vinyl, and cloth coverings onto the dashboard. You can't get the same fully adjustable rear seats as you can on other full-size luxury sedans; the Platinum model gets "articulating" rear seats and a rear-seat entertainment system.

Cadillac doesn't skimp on the CT6's infotainment features, loading every version with a 4G LTE onboard data connection that powers a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto phone integration, wireless phone charging, and a trio of USB ports are also standard. Navigation is optional only on the base CT6 and standard on the Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum models. Cadillac also offers a 34-speaker Bose Panaray audio system that sounds better to untrained ears; true audiophiles might want to take a listen before buying.

Despite its dimensional disadvantage and small trunk volume relative to larger rivals, the CT6 can fit a class-competitive amount of carry-on luggage; we fit six cases inside the trunk. As with many of its rivals, the Cadillac has rear seats that cannot be folded down, although there is a trunk pass-through.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have crash-tested the CT6, but the Cadillac is available with a variety of driver-assistance features as well as futuristic tech such as semi-autonomous driving aids and night vision. Key safety features include:

• Available Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving mode
• Available front and rear autonomous braking
• Available lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Cadillac's class-standard bumper-to-bumper and transferable powertrain warranty are bolstered by a generous six-year, 70,000-mile allowance for roadside assistance and a complimentary maintenance visit in the first year of ownership. The Mercedes-Benz S-class offers no such maintenance plan and the BMW 7-series offers far less powertrain coverage.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
• Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit