With the introduction of the 2020 Cadillac CT6-V, it looked like General Motors had finally built a world-class performance luxury sedan. Then, before anyone even had a chance to drive it, the CT6 was discontinued along with the brand-new Blackwing V8 that reportedly cost $16 million to develop. Poor CT6-V, it never stood a chance.
Only around 1,500 CT6s rolled off the assembly line with the Blackwing engine, most of which were V models. This level of rarity could make the CT6 a future collectible, but as of right now, the car has very little hype surrounding it. If trends continue, a used CT6-V could be a very smart buy.
Why You Should Buy One
The Cadillac CT6 was always a reasonably competent full-size sedan, but it lacked a definite edge to put it above German rivals like the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class. Cadillac's Blackwing engine finally gave buyers a reason to consider a CT6 over a European sedan. We think the CT6 is among the most handsome interpretations of Cadillac's recent design language, and the added aggressiveness of the V model makes it look even more attractive. Since fewer than 1,000 CT6-V models were ever built, it could be a valuable collectible in the distant future.
The Price
When it was new, Cadillac priced the CT6-V at $94,895. This is a reasonable price compared to performance versions of the German rivals like the M760i and S63, but Cadillac still struggled to sell the CT6-V at MSRP and thus offered discounts. Cadillac only sold the CT6-V for two model years (2019 and 2020), but used examples are already coming down in price.
We found a certified pre-owned 2019 example with fewer than 10,000 miles on it for just $78,572. This may not be a massive depreciation hit, but we think given a few more years, these will continue to plummet in value before they (potentially) go back up.
The Performance
A 4.2-liter twin-turbocharged V8 called the Blackwing sits under the hood of every CT6-V. This V8 is an oddity for GM because it not only features twin-turbocharging instead of supercharging, but it also uses dual overhead camshafts instead of a pushrod design. In the CT6-V, the V8 produces 550 horsepower and a whopping 627 lb-ft of torque going out to all-wheel-drive through a 10-speed automatic. A lesser version produced 500 hp and 574 lb-ft of torque in the CT6 Platinum and is, in fact, the rarer car of the two. The CT6-V is quick for a full-size luxury sedan, with 0-60 mph taking just 3.8 seconds.
The Interior
Cadillac's interiors have been hit and miss recently, but the CT6-V feels like more of a hit. A large central touchscreen packs all of the modern goodies you'd want from a luxury car, and premium materials like carbon-fiber trim make the cabin feel sporty and luxurious. A combination of analog and digital gauges blends the best of both worlds and helps the CT6-V look modern. The CT6 is plenty spacious and packs some highly advanced semi-autonomous functions like Cadillac's stellar Super Cruise system, which enables hands-free driving on certain highways.
Verdict
The Cadillac CT6-V is a story of tragedy. It was killed off before it ever had a chance to be successful. But Cadillac's losses could be your gain if prices continue to fall. The CT6-V isn't a budget bargain just yet but in another year or so, we can easily imagine these cars dropping into the $60,000 range. That's a ton of performance, luxury, and rarity for the price, with the added benefit of possibly going up in value someday.