Cadillac CT6 AWD is high-end but still perfect for family: Safety, comfort and style put it at the top

Peter, my next door neighbor, hovered around the Cadillac CT6 Platinum AWD like a moth to a flame. “Really beautiful,” he started. “It’s classic with a sporty feel.” Once he went inside and sunk deep into the rich leather seats, an audible “Awww,” went out. And, he didn’t even try the heated seats or the seat massager.

Yes, the Cadillac CT6 AWD is a car that will get plenty of applause. The car is a beast wrapped in luxurious bells and whistles that will rival the best top-end vehicles. By a beast, we mean it has more than 500 horsepower and is available in a 4.2L blackwing V8 turbo engine and can zoom from 0-60 in 4.4 seconds.

The 10-speed automatic transmission is meant to deliver performance, and with the active chassis system and the Magnetic Ride Control that adjusts vertical suspension almost instantaneously, you have a magic carpet ride as you maneuver all the bumps, pot holes and curves Atlanta delivers. In fact, I went over a speed bump at full speed and didn’t even notice it until I saw the speed bump in the rear view mirror. That’s how glorious the ride is!

We will admit that this isn’t the typical family vehicle but it is one for the family to ride in wearing their Sunday best, going out to dinner or just feeling that mom’s and dad’s hard work is paying off. This is a car to help you enjoy the good life. In fact, we must admit during the deepest weeks of the quarantine, we went into the car, turned up the 34-speaker Bose Panaray® sound system, reclined the heated seats, turned on the massage seats and just chilled. It was so comfortable. It was an oasis in the middle of a pandemic!

The interior continues the luxury vibe with real wood veneers, carbon fiber trim and generous leg room for rear seat passengers. The exterior is striking. As my neighbor noted, it is classic but with a bit of a bad boy edge to it. The grill has the look of a Cheshire cat that knows the secret of what’s under the hood. It’s masculine with the signature headlamps taking the spotlight with style and function. They employ bi-LED high-/low beam projectors to help increase visibility.

From a safety perspective, the Cadillac CT6 is perfect for families with its Lane Change Alert with Side Line Zone Alert, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking and Automatic Emergency Braking.

The vehicle comes in three trims. Luxury starts at $58,995 and features a 3.6L engine with AWD and 10-speed automatic transmission, UltraView power sunroof and automatic emergency braking. The Premium Luxury starts at $74,495 and brings Super Cruise™, Automatic Park Assist, Nigh Vision and magnetic ride control to the table. The Platinum starts at $96,495 and features all the bells and whistle: a 4.2l Blackwing Twin Turbo V8 engine, Super Cruise™ Driver Assistance, 20-3ay adjustable heated, ventilated and massaging seats, rear seat infotainment and 20”Platinum Twin 5-spoke alloy wheels.

When looking for an elite car under $100,000, the Cadillac CT6 should definitely be on your list — if not at the top.

Local Cadillac dealers include: Hennessy Cadillac, Classic Cadillac of Atlanta, Capital Cadillac, Heritage Cadillac, Southtowne Cadillac, Cadillac of Lake Lanier.

— Mary Welch