2016 Cadillac CT6
The 2016 Cadillac CT6 is indeed an all-new flagship sedan that doesn’t replace anything currently in the lineup, but rather looks to extend the range while raising the profile of the entire Cadillac brand.
Slightly longer than an XTS, both the CT6’s overall length and 122.4-inch wheelbase are just shy of benchmark large luxury liners Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series; but it’s much bigger than four-doors like the Acura RLX that straddle the midsize/fullsize line.
This car is clearly full-size and it is also beautiful; sleek and sophisticated, far more gorgeous going down the street than it ever looked on an auto show stand.
Yet it still appears very American, and there are plenty of traditional Caddy cues. Proportions are just right.
Standard 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder power might be a stretch for a large global sedan, but its 265-horsepower is certainly adequate. And most Cadillac owners never know what’s under the hood anyway.
A 335-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 is the next step up, but the hot ticket for now, is our test car’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. Horsepower here is 404, accompanied by 400 lb-ft. of torque. We imagine a V8 will appear sometime in the future.
8-speed automatic transmissions for all.
More significant is the return of a rear-wheel-drive architecture. Of course, all-wheel-drive is available as well.
And consider our minds blown when we checked the rearview mirror only to see it’s actually a wide video display from the rear mounted camera. It takes a little getting used to as you lose your normal frame of reference, but you can always switch back to a normal mirror.
Applying lessons learned with the ATS, lots of aluminum is involved in keeping weight down, more mid-size than full at just over 4,000–lbs. with the turbo-6; and you certainly feel it.
Highway ride is quite plush, yet nowhere near bloated; and it doesn’t go to pieces when pushed hard through corners.
It’s actually impressively solid, stays almost flat thanks to magnetic ride control, and has a joyous bit of oversteer at the limit.
Steering is very direct with a performance sedan feel and excellent feedback.
Things actually do get sporty in sport mode, and the car seems to shrink as you push harder; yet it remains incredibly smooth.
Off the line it certainly feels like 400-horsepower, with a quick leap to 60 in 5.4-seconds. With all-wheel-drive, there was gobs of traction and plenty of bold power laid down.
The engine revs quickly, and automatic shifts come on just as fast; but the car remains super stable at speed, hitting 105 at the end of the ¼, after 13.7-seconds.
The interior is a huge step up for the brand, nicer than the XTS, and even more inviting than the XT5 crossover that we’ve also recently spent a lot of time in. Most materials like wood and chrome are excellent. The leather-work, not so much. And, there are still a lot of different materials and surfaces going on in here.
Most of us aren’t fans of having strictly touch controls, though things have come a long way since the original CUE interface; we could live with this setup.
CT6 front seat comfort is truly spectacular; and, with almost a foot more wheelbase than the XTS, rear seat room very plentiful, as is trunk space.
Every safety system you could expect is available including night vision and automatic braking, which waits until the absolute last possible second before aggressively taking over and bringing you to a safe stop.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 18-City, 26-Highway, and 21-Combined. We averaged a good 22.8 miles-per-gallon of Premium.
For an average Energy Impact Score of 15.7-barrels of oil consumed and 7.0- tons of CO2 emitted yearly,
Style and sophistication come with hefty price tags, but Cadillac does seem to have a CT6 for everyone from a base CT6 at $54,490 to Platinum trim with twin-turbo V6 at $88,460
So does the 2016 Cadillac CT6 really have what it takes to compete with the world’s best luxury sedans? Well, it’s close with only a few details that need addressing. Still we think the CT6 easily exceeds its traditional buyers’ expectations, while giving new converts won over with the CTS and ATS a car to aspire to. It is a bold move up in style, stance, and interior features; and worthy of its flagship banner. It’s also clearly the best ever from Cadillac, and an effort we gladly praise.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.0 liter twin turbo V6
- Horsepower: 404
- Torque: 400 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 5.4 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 13.7 seconds @ 105 mph
- EPA: 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 15.7 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 5.0 tons/yr
- Transmission: 8 spd automatic
2025 Honda Civic Si & Hybrid
More Fun, More Refinement, More Civic
If you’re looking at buying a Honda Civic Si instead of a standard Civic, chances are, you’re the kind of driver that actually enjoys being behind the wheel and wants a fun-to-drive car that injects some pure enjoyment into your daily grind. Well, good news! There’s an updated Civic Si that promises to deliver more fun and refinement than ever!
The 2025 Honda Civic Si spearheads a revised Civic lineup that also sees the return of a Hybrid to the roster, something that’s been missing since 2015. This 11th-gen Civic first arrived for 2021, and gets a slightly more aggressive look for ‘25 with an updated front fascia and grille.
And while it remains available as either a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, the Si comes only as a sedan with a hex pattern grille, gloss black trim and aero enhancements, both up front and in the back, with a decklid spoiler. Other Si upgrades include larger brakes and 18-inch V-spoke wheels for the optional summer performance tires.
Honda claims the chassis has been stiffened and the suspension retuned for 2025; and it certainly makes for a fun driving little car, though it’s hard to call this current Civic little anymore, as dimensions and interior space are more midsize these days. Under the Si’s hood is Honda’s tiny but mighty 1.5-liter turbo-four engine, furiously spinning up its 200 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. The Si comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission with a miniature shift knob and very light clutch enhancing its definitely playful vibe.
At our test track, once we got some heat in the front tires and figured out the best traction control settings, we were able to rip off consistent 6.9-second runs to 60. Not crazy quick, but the free-revving engine and manual trans made for a totally engaging experience. Our best quarter-mile, 15.1 seconds at 94 mph. But it was in our handling course where the fun really jumped up, slicing through the cones like we were in a video game. Yet it also felt well planted the entire time, grip was plentiful, and body roll minimal. Consistency, too, in braking runs, repeatedly stopping in a mere 92 feet from 60 mph.
Our handling course [is] where the fun really jumped up, slicing through the cones like we were in a video game.
No matter which Civic you choose, you’ll get plenty of standard content, including auto climate controls and illuminated steering wheel controls, plus more color choices for ’25. The funky lattice-style dash trim carries over, the Si getting racy red accents and manually-adjusted cloth seats that definitely are sporty. While over in the Hybrid, things take a classier turn with Sport Touring getting leather-trimmed seats, the 9-inch version of their touchscreen infotainment setup with Google built in, a 10.2 digital instrument cluster, 12-speaker Bose audio, and wireless phone charging.
Following Honda’s current marketing strategy, the returning Hybrid will be available in upper trims only, specifically Sport and Sport Touring. It uses a combination of naturally aspirated 2.0-liter I4 engine and Honda’s Two Motor Hybrid system for a 200-horsepower total. Yes, that’s exactly the same as the Si, and the Hybrid setup out-torques bigtime with 232 lb-ft, 40 more than the Si.
The hatchback’s Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 50 city, 45 highway, and 48 combined. We only managed to wrangle 43.5 mpg of regular in our wintertime driving loop.
The Sedan’s numbers are a little better than the hatchback’s; and while that additional fuel economy is great, with all of that torque, the new Civic throws it back to the original Accord Hybrid, having a bit of a performance bent to it, including a Sport Drive mode that heightens throttle response and tightens up steering. It also gets a unique gauge display and active sound inside the cabin. There are also four levels of regen braking with shifter-style adjustment paddles on the back of the steering wheel. And unlike the Si, you can get the Hybrid as a five-door hatchback, which most of our staff really enjoy looking at and everyone can appreciate its 24.5 cu.-ft. of cargo space and folding seatback flexibility.
Civic pricing starts at $25,400 for a base LX sedan. Hybrids start with Sport Hybrid at $30,100. The hatchback is a bit more at $31,300. Si comes in at $31,400, just below the range-topping Sport Touring Hybrid at $33,100.
While at times the Civic has been more of a blank canvas that buyers could customize to make it their own, this 11th-gen already offers something for just about everyone, whether you’re a high-revving gear shifting driving enthusiast, a luxury-minded fuel sipper or something in between. The 2025 Honda Civic is the total package. One high quality, not-so-small car that delivers more fun and more refinement than ever.
Specifications
Civic Si
- Engine: 1.5-liter turbo-four
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 200
- Torque: 192 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 6.9 second
- 1/4 Mile: 15.1 seconds at 94 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 92 feet
Civic Hatchback Hybrid
- Engine: NA 2.0-liter I4
- Transmission: eCVT
- EPA: 50 City | 45 Highway | 48 Combined
- Horsepower: 200
- Torque: 232 lb-ft
- MW Fuel Economy: 43.5 mpg