LOOKS

The CT6 is without question the best sedan offered by Cadillac, and its price is indicative of that. A CT6 at the top trim level, like my test ride, will come in over $90,000, though the base version is actually quite affordable for the segment, in the mid $50K range.

Inside the CT6, you get high quality leather seating, and attractive wood grain touches up front. The center console setup is well designed, and flows well up to the screen. Even the shifter looks great, mimicking the angles of the CT6’s front end design (actually, many parts of the interior of the vehicle actually mimic this shape, a good continuity move). There are also nice touches offered like a power rear window sunshade (and manual shades in rear windows).

On the exterior of the CT6, you get the unique and fresh look of modern Cadillacs that's not going to be mistaken for anything else on the road. Their profile is not meant to blend in, and it’s one of the best-looking designs you’ll see in the segment, which is saying a lot considering the competition. The vehicle I tested also featured attractive 20-inch alloy wheels.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER

The 2018 CT6 is not just a big luxury sedan, it offers some big power.

My test vehicle featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, which boasts an impressive 404 horsepower.

There are also other engines offered, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (265 horsepower), and a 3.6-liter V6 (335 horsepower). There is also a plug-in hybrid version offered.
The CT6 comes in either RWD or AWD, and all CT6 vehicles are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Driving the CT6 with the twin-turbo is a blast, and you can tell it wants to go fast (and responds quickly when you ask it to do so). Also, despite being a large sedan, the CT6 is surprisingly nimble for its size and handles well on twistier roads.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

As is often the case with GM products, tech and safety features are a highlight of the CT6.

For those who would like to provide some entertainment on the roadways, a rear-seat entertainment system is offered and is well-hidden, as the screens come up from into seat backs when in use, and hide when not in use. This is much better than hanging a screen in the middle of the vehicle and blocking driver’s rear view. These screens are very clear, and especially great if you have kids.

You get the option of 4G LTE Wi-Fi, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard. There’s also a 34-speaker Bose/Panaray stereo offered that sounds excellent.

The Cadillac CUE infotainment system has had a rough reception over the years, but it is improving in terms of user-friendliness and responsiveness. I found it to be a better experience than I’ve had in past years. It features a 10-inch color display.

On the CT6, you get options to control various parts of the system, including:
-- The touchscreen

-- A mouse pad (which I don't recommend using since it’s a bit touchy)
-- Virtual "buttons" for climate controls
-- And last but not least, voice controls (which work very well)

As per usual with GM, Onstar is included with the five-year basic plan, plus one year of Guidance plan with auto crash response, navigation and more.

With your phone connected via Bluetooth, the CT6 will reads text messages to you if they come while you are driving, which is a great safety feature that limits any urge you have to pick up your phone while driving. The CT6 also warns of upcoming traffic delays -- a feature that saved me some time on a couple occasions. Wireless charging is also offered, and the Head-Up Display helps keep your eyes on the road.

Among other safety features: Rear camera; Lane Change alert with Side Blind Zone Alert; Rear Cross Traffic Alert; Forward Collision Alert; Front Pedestrian Braking; and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning.

And since this is a flagship luxury vehicle, you need some high-end touches. Massaging seats are offered for supreme comfort. And just for kicks, there is a virtual button to open the glove compartment (no handle required).

Last but not least, Cadillac is keeping up with the future, as we move toward the inevitability of automated vehicles. Higher trim levels on the CT6 offer Super Cruise, a big step toward automation which can take over control of the vehicle when on certain roads (it only works on freeways where oncoming traffic is separated from ongoing traffic).

MPG, PRICE
Official fuel mileage numbers on the CT6 are 18 city/26 highway/21 combined. These numbers lag a bit behind some of the competition.

But in the end it all evens out (and then some), because even though you may pay a bit more for gas, most of the competition is priced much higher.

For comparison:

-- The CT6 I tested was decked out and came in just over $92,000; and base price starts about $55K.

-- A Benz S-Class runs from $97K up to $170K
-- The Audi A8 starts at $83K and heads up toward $100K
-- BMW 7-series starts at $82K and goes up to $150K
-- Only the Lexus LS (which starts at $73K) and the Genesis G90 (which starts at $69K) are remotely close to the base price of the CT6.

BOTTOM LINE

Between its sharp look, powerful and responsive drive, high-end technology and competitive pricing, there is no question that the CT6 is a quality vehicle worthy of the Cadillac nameplate. If you’re looking for an impressive flagship, choosing the CT6 over its luxury competition won’t be a matter of settling by any means, and for those who prefer domestic vehicles it’s a no-brainer to go with the CT6 in this category.

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.