2020 Cadillac CT6-V

Cadillac once proclaimed that its cars set the standard in terms of luxury, but today that statement seems to lie a bit farther from the truth than it used to. The CT6 range of cars is aimed squarely at German rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, but falls short in terms of quality and lacks a certain amount of prestige. The good news is that instead of altogether canning the project, Cadillac offers the massively powerful CT6-V, which makes use of a hand-built twin-turbo V8 producing 550 horsepower, and will redefine what you think a large luxury American sedan should be. For 2020, its last year of production, Cadillac has added a few active driver assistance systems, but other than that, the CT6-V carries on delivering a knockout punch in relative obscurity. It might cost a pretty penny and loses out to its German rivals in some regards, but we think the CT6-V deserves a look, especially if you've got some gas pumping through your veins.

Sitting at the very top of Cadillac's price list, the 2020 CT6-V will set you back $94,895, which excludes tax, registration, a destination fee of $995, and a gas guzzler tax of $1,300. This makes the CT6-V almost $20,000 more expensive than the next in line Escalade, which starts at $75,195. That might seem steep, but looking at the asking prices of its competitors, the Cadillac starts to look like quite the bargain. The 2020 BMW 750i xDrive starts with a six-figure MSRP of $103,000. The Mercedes-Benz S560 4Matic creeps even higher to $107,450.

If you thought that the 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood was the show-stopper, wait until you get behind the wheel and actually throw the CT6-V around a set of corners. Simply put, the CT6-V is one of, if not the best driving car in this segment when you look at it from a dynamic viewpoint. It even rivals the traditionally superior BMW 7 Series. What then lies behind this capability? Well, first of all, the chassis setup on the CT6-V is true class: there's Cadillac's famed magnetic ride control in play, as well as a mechanical limited-slip differential, which lays power down to the tar beautifully. Steering is sharp and controllable on the edge, despite the hefty curb weight, and the magnetic ride control suspension setup keeps things flat and stable when pushing on. The flipside of this dynamic capability is that the CT6-V feels harsher than its limousine-like competitors. Steering feel is not as direct as some, but it gets the nose pointed in the right direction. Braking is taken care of by a set of high-performance Brembo front brakes, which stop the CT6-V on a dime.

A long time has passed since Cadillac ruled the roost in the American luxury car market, and it comes as no big surprise that this segment is dominated by German offerings such as the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. While this might be true, Cadillac has taken a less common route with its luxurious CT6-V: instead of pandering to the old school who love a smooth ride and linear power delivery, this Caddy offers more or less the same space as the abovementioned competitors, but wraps it up in a more aggressive package that not only looks bolder but drives more aggressively. The 2020 Cadillac CT6-V is one of the more dynamically pleasing cars to drive in this segment, thanks to a well-sorted chassis, large Brembo brakes, and Cadillac's magnetic ride control keeping the big CT6-V in check at all times. The twin-turbo V8 under the hood is a tour de force in the way it delivers its power in the mid-range. This Caddy might not be on the same level as the Germans in terms of interior quality or standard tech, but it's a refreshing take on the classic luxury sedan.

Seeing as there is only one trim to choose from, your decision has basically been made for you. Now the reasons why you should buy it becomes more important. Firstly, it looks great: the classic V-class angular design language works well in the CT6-V, which looks more aggressive and sport-focused than rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz S560 4MATIC. Secondly, the CT6-V is one of the most fun cars you can drive in this segment. We understand that the full-size luxury sedan class isn't known, or expected to deliver razor-sharp handling dynamics, but the CT6-V with its magnetic ride control and Brembo brakes does. Another reason to get behind the wheel of this large caddy is that hand-built twin-turbo 4.2-liter V8 engine under the hood, which is a true torque monster. Lastly, the 2020 Cadillac CT6-V goes for a good few thousand dollars less than its German rivals, which sweetens the deal even further.

You know someone has arrived when they pitch up in a BMW 7 Series, especially in a 2020 year model. Its nostrils are absolutely massive, and take the classic BMW kidney-grille concept to the next dimension. BMW's halo model is offered with a range of potent engine options, but we'll be focussing on the 750i xDrive, which employs a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 gas engine producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. In this guise, the 7 Series offers strong performance and feels just as fast as the CT6-V in everyday driving situations. The standard air suspension systems offer a silky-smooth ride, which stiffens up progressively when demanded. The BMW is one of the more dynamic cars in this class but feels more luxury-orientated when compared to the Cadillac. The interior is a beautiful place that's better appointed and put together. We would go for the BMW in this case.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has come to represent cutting edge technology and peerless luxury and is the standard to which most other car manufacturers hold their vehicles. For 2020, the Mercedes-Benz S560 4MATIC, the CT6-V's closest rival, offers a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 463 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. That power level is significantly lower than the Cadillac, but with more of a focus placed on comfort and luxury, the Mercedes-Benz is more than powerful enough. The S-Class is unrivaled in terms of on-road comfort and ride quality, but can't match the Caddy in the bends. The interior of the S-Class is on a different level: the exquisitely designed cabin rivals cars that are almost double the price, and the number of features on offer can get intimidating, to say the least. The S560 is an expensive beast, and with a long list of optional features, it gets even more pricey.