2019 Cadillac CT6 Sedan Review: Cutting Corners In A Luxury Sedan

Three years after it was released, the CT6 still seems to be struggling to find its identity within the large luxury sedan segment. Where it once offered two engine options, it now offers four, with the new standard 237-horsepower four-cylinder sacrificing power for efficiency, while the 500-hp twin-turbo Blackwing V8 does the opposite. And while the sedan is stylish and well equipped as standard, it offers fewer opportunities to customize appearance and equipment compared to more refined rivals like the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class. A small trunk undermines a spacious interior, and the good handling dynamics are countered by subpar ride quality. While these conflicting areas of focus make the Caddy less of an all-rounder, it does have the appeal of a much lower price tag than its competition, as well as better-than-average fuel economy. Still, rumors of the CT6's demise after 2019 abound, as well as hopes of hybridized Cadillac variants to rival the growing gas-electric fandom - pivotal moments in Cadillac history, when sales figures are lower than ever for the brand.

What's the Price of the 2019 Cadillac CT6 Sedan?

For a full-size luxury sedan, the Cadillac CT6 has a remarkably affordable starting price tag; getting behind the wheel of the Luxury trim will cost you just $50,495. Even the Premium Luxury, with its many additional features, can be picked up for as little as $58,095 in rear-wheel-drive, while the all-wheel variant will set you back around $62,595. The price does start to pick up quite a bit going beyond these two base trims as all-wheel-drive becomes standard and more powerful engines are installed, with the Sport costing $66,595. The top-of-the-range Platinum is priced like a true luxury sedan at $86,795. These prices are exclusive of tax, registration, licensing, or destination fees.

2019 CT6 Sedan Exterior

Dimensions

2019 CT6 Sedan Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

The large luxury Caddy earns its position within the luxury segment with impressive performance and handling, but it is held back from the frontrunners by its excessive weight and ride quality that doesn't match its status.

Steering is what you'd expect from the luxury segment, with the excessive lightness seeming to be overcompensating for the vehicle's sheer size. But it is accurate, albeit somewhat untalkative. The brakes are equally powerful, capable of stopping they hefty behemoth in as little as 102 ft from 60 mph without negatively impacting on feel or modulation.

The luxury sedan handles remarkably well given its size, however, where rivals seem to shrink around the driver as they speed up, the limousine-style CT6 never feels any smaller than it is. Also, this focus on controlling the chassis during high-speed maneuvers that this sedan has no business attempting means that it does sacrifice on ride quality.

Despite the luxury-level interior, the Cadillac is not as plush as the BMW 7 Series or Porsche Panamera, with comfort not being adequate enough to counteract some of the road imperfections that the suspension fails to manage. While the CT6 certainly has some strong points, it is not the capable all-rounder than many of its higher-quality rivals are.

2019 CT6 Sedan Interior

2019 CT6 Sedan Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2019 Cadillac CT6 Sedan A Good car?

The luxury sedan segment is a demanding one, with established pack-leaders clinging tooth-and-nail to their positions on the podium. Still, the CT6 makes a valiant effort at giving its rivals a run for their money. Sadly, Cadillac focuses too much in some areas while neglecting others, resulting in a sedan that feels less polished than its European competitors.

While it handles well for a luxury sedan, the CT6 six lacks the potent and refined powertrains that Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi have equipped under the hoods of their flagship sedans. Similarly, the American manufacturer presents buyers with a spacious cabin, capable of seating even the tallest of passengers, but it is not as lavish as it should be, and the trunk takes a serious hit, offering several cubic feet less than rivals.

If there is a silver lining here, it is that Cadillac doesn't expect you to pay through the nose for a car that clearly isn't up to par with its $100k plus rivals. Don't get us wrong, the CT6 is a good car; it's just that, in the luxury segment, good simply doesn't cut it. Buyers expect excellence if they are going to lay out this kind of money and, sadly, the Caddy doesn't warrant that kind of investment.

What Cadillac CT6 Sedan Model Should I Buy?

While the base-level Luxury is well-appointed and affordable, the Premium Luxury adds a significant number of advanced safety features without increasing the price too much. And with the Luxury trim dropped from the line-up part-way through the year, the Premium Luxury is now the cheapest model you can get. Still, it offers a good mid-way between the bottom and top rung. For those seeking a thrill, the 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 is certainly appealing, and you may be able to pick it up on a secondhand CT6 - it is sold out for the current production year, however, the engine will be returning for the 2020 model.

2019 Cadillac CT6 Sedan Comparisons

2019 Cadillac CT6 Sedan vs Lincoln Continental

Much like the CT6, the Lincoln Continental is more of an affordable large luxury sedan, with a starting price of $46,145. While it comes with a stronger standard engine, in the form of a 305-hp V6, and optional engines that rival the CT6's, the Continental lacks the value provided by the Caddy due to its rather poor mileage figures. Similarly, while the Lincoln sedan offers competitive interior space and a more spacious trunk, the CT6 is better appointed and uses higher-quality materials. Getting the most out of the Continental will see you spending up to $80k, while you can get the same in the CT6 for around $60k. Overall, the CT6 is the better choice here; unless you're willing to spend close to $100k, in which case there are better options out there.

2019 Cadillac CT6 Sedan vs Cadillac CTS Sedan

The CTS is the smaller, sportier brother to the CT6. Needless to say, the smaller sedan handles better than the large cruiser, but you can expect to pay the usual price for this. The interior of the CTS is more cramped, especially in the rear seat, and the trunk is even smaller than the CT6's embarrassing cargo area. The standard 268-hp four-cylinder on the CTS lacks refinement, making it far less efficient than the one found under the full-size luxury sedan's hood, but the optional V-sport engine is eminently capable. Naturally, the luxury sedan offers a lot more bells and whistles than its little brother, but the more features you want, the more you're going to pay. However, with a relatively low starting price, the CT6 still seems like the better choice here if you want to balance luxury and performance.