Cadillac CT6 checks off all the technology boxes

The 2018 Cadillac CT6, when loaded with Super Cruise, gets this luxury flagship ever so close to autonomous driving. It’s technically driver assistance, but you can also call it semi-autonomous. And you better believe I used this technology to the fullest.

The Super Cruise essentially combines, and advances, lane departure with automated cruise control. That’s simplifying something that is way cooler than that. You must experience the CT6 with Super Cruise.

General Motors mapped out many highways in the US and loaded it into the system. There are sensors all around that watch the road. When the CT6 is on the highway, a light will come on that indicates Super Cruise is available. Push the button and engage. The car takes over steering and maintains speed and distance. I drove my CT6 up I-75 from Middletown to past Troy, all hands- and foot-free. The car maintained the lane, navigated the curves of the road and never ran into anything. It sped up and dropped the speed as traffic flowed. It was quite remarkable.

There’s a “spy” mounted on the steering wheel that would keep the driver honest and engaged. If you began fiddling with your phone or took your eyes off the road, the system would disengage and you’d have to resume driving. That safety feature was nice and provides a little more peace of mind.

I admit this system takes a significant amount of trust in the technology. But it worked and was quite memorable.

On top of all the technology, the CT6 is fantastic as a luxury vehicle. The looks are big and bold, with a modern flare. However, the styling is not so garish that it will become dated or not typify a luxury sedan.

The CT6’s performance is also on point. The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 provides significant power. There are 404 horses to get you off the line fast, but the overall performance is quite refined. It doesn’t feel like a blazer, even though it’s fun to drive.

The 8-speed automatic transmission is outstanding. My tester had all-wheel drive which added to the confident performance of this car. The performance is perfect for the executive that would buy this car. It’s not a showboat, yet.

Cadillac announced the 2019 version will get a 4.2-liter twin turbo V8 to the tune of 550-horsepower. Now that I’d like to drive – and I wouldn’t even want to be autonomously driven in that car.

Inside, the CT6 looks the part of a Cadillac. All seats are covered in soft leather. Both front and rear seats have a massaging feature and are heated and cooled. Rear passengers will enjoy the ability to recline the seat at a perfectly comfortable angle.

The panoramic sunroof is gorgeous and runs the full length of the roof. The trunk has 15.3 cubic feet of space, which is on the small side for a vehicle this size.

Cadillac’s CUE system looks great on the 10.2-inch touchscreen. CUE is one of my favorite infotainment systems. It has a small learning curve and thus could be more intuitive, but once you learn it, it’s a great system that offers WIFI, two USB ports and easy integration with all smart phones.

One of the coolest features that almost trumps the Super Cruise technology is the night vision system. Engage it and a night vision screen is beamed just above the steering column which will light up to reveal any heat source, whether it be human or animal. This is an incredible and highly advanced safety feature that most cars on the road today don’t have.

All this technology comes at a price, for sure. My tester was the top-of-the-line Platinum trim and had an MSRP of $88,295. This kind of pricing does move it toward a very limited consumer, but those who want all the technology and all the luxury, plus a smooth and comfortable car will appreciate the Cadillac CT6.

2018 CADILLAC CT6 PLATINUM