2017 Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid Preview
CARS.COM
Competes with: Acura RLX Hybrid, Lexus ES 300h, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid, Tesla Model S 75
Looks like: Some jerk parked his big ol’ Caddy in the Green Vehicle Parking space
Drivetrain: A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and two electric motors, combining to produce 335 horsepower and 432 pounds-feet of torque; electric variable automatic transmission
Hits dealerships: Spring 2017
More 2016 L.A. Auto Show Coverage
There aren’t a whole lot of direct competitors in the full-size luxury plug-in hybrid sedan segment, but the 2017 Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid sets the bar (and, for that matter, the price) pretty high. The range-anxiety-free electrified alternative to the regular base CT6 gets about 40 more mpg — at an estimated mpg equivalence of 65 mpg — and costs some $20,000 more. Compare that, however, to nearest rival the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550 Plug-In Hybrid, at a $97,525 starting price, and it may spark some interest in this plug-in Caddy.
Exterior
Apart from hybrid badging on the rear passenger door, lower doorsills and trunk lid, it looks like one would have to actually pop the fuel compartment to find the plug-in port in order to distinguish it from the gas-only version. The plug-in otherwise bears the same three-bladed hexagonal grille with large Cadillac shield, black lower-body element spanning the width of the front end and long LED strip extending downward well below the narrow LED headlights. This is definitely a car for people not preoccupied with preaching their ecofriendlier-than-thou beliefs to all who pass.
Interior
Cadillac hasn’t yet announced a lot of detail on interior appointments, but it did say the plug-in would be equipped comparably to the Premium Luxury model of the regular CT6, the second highest trim level. The plug-in will start at $76,090 when it hits dealerships in the spring, compared with the $64,590 starting price of the Premium Luxury gas-only model (all prices include destination). Standard equipment, Cadillac says, will include a rear-seat infotainment system, enhanced night vision and a rear camera mirror.
Under the Hood
The electrified CT6 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine paired with two electric motors. These join forces to send 335 hp and 432 pounds-feet of torque to the rear wheels and mate to an electric variable automatic transmission. Cadillac says the plug-in will boast an all-electric range of 30 miles and a total range of 400 miles. That’s in addition to a zero-to-60-mph sprint of 5.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 150 mph (78 mph all-electric).
The combined 65 mpg equivalence of the CT6 compares with its regular gas version’s 25 mpg and with competitors such as the Acura RLX Hybrid (29 mpg), Lexus ES 300h and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (both 40), and Tesla Model S 75 (98).
