Today’s Question of the Day isn’t our typical lighthearted, open-ended Choose Your Own Adventure inquiry. It’s serious business, pitting two serious flagship sedans against one another.
At the end of this post, you’ll have to choose: Lincoln Continental, or Cadillac CT6?
Though several large sedans remain on offer from luxury brands today, the vast majority no longer wear American badges on the grille. By virtue of being new models, and at the top of the price lists for their respective brands, the Lincoln Continental and Cadillac CT6 must duel for the patriotic American customer. Said customer does not want a Lexus badge, and is unwilling to shop at German lots. Key to this customer, both sedans are made in the United States, in different zip codes of a state called Michigan.
First, a few rules for good measure:
- The trims will be specified below, so our competitors match (relatively) on a dollar and trim basis.
- You must choose either the Continental or the CT6 as your new ride of choice, and preferably inform us as to why.
- Suggestions of any other vehicles as “substitutions” are invalid, and will likely face ridicule.
Your competitors are outlined below.
Competitor One: Lincoln Continental
Ranging from $44,720 to over $68,000, the Continental is available in a front-wheel or all-wheel-drive configuration.
Selection:
- $59,340 Continental Reserve
- 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6
- All-wheel drive
- 4,523 pounds
- 400 hp @ 5,750 rpm
- 16 mpg city / 24 mpg highway
Competitor Two: Cadillac CT6
The CT6 range is at a price disadvantage against the Continental, as it starts at $53,795, and ranges to over $87,000 in top trim. Opposite of the Continental, the CT6 comes in rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive.
Selection:
- $64,695 CT6 Luxury
- 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6
- All-wheel drive
- 4,085 pounds
- 404 hp @ 5,700 rpm
- 18 mpg city / 26 mpg highway
There they are — two big American cruisers. One is costly, lighter, longer, and more efficient. The other less expensive, heavier, wider, and wearing arguably better styling. Transverse front-wheel drive versus a longitudinal rear-wheel setup. Both vehicles loaded up with all the latest infotainment technology their makers can muster, with similar engines and power ratings.
Which one is taking up residence in your perfectly organized garage?
[Images: Ford Motor Company, General Motors]
I really want to like the Continental, but it’s a bit too bland for my tastes. And I cannot believe I’m saying this, but the proportions as a FWD, large vehicle make it look a bit frumpy.
I appreciate Cadillac’s design language, but as a brand I prefer Lincoln.
So, I’ll just go buy an Audi A6. ;-)
“You must choose either the Continental or the CT6 as your new ride of choice, and preferably inform us as to why.
“Suggestions of any other vehicles as “substitutions” are invalid, and will likely face ridicule.”
Be advised, Viper one: inbound ridicule
It makes me sad when the very first comment is by someone who didn’t bother to read the full post.
They read the full post, they just want to show off how much better they think they are.
Nice try, JimZ, but that wasn’t the intent.
Funny you mention the Cadillac design. I find it tired, this angled or chiseled or whatever Sajeev would call it has got to be 15 years old now?
Cadillac needs to move on with their exterior design in my humble opinion.
And BMW with their kidney grilles and Hofmeister kink? It’s tired and about time they tried something else.
They will be doing so with the Escala design-language.
Great description for Lincoln “FRUMPY” Is this the best they could do ???????????
Would choose the CT6 – RWD-based and actually one of the more fun to drive full size luxury sedans.
And in actuality, the XTS is the more direct Cadillac competitor to the Conti.
Bd2, good point about XTS vs Conti.
CT6, but debadge it and add Fleetwood badges.
Cool, that way everyone who stopped buying Fleetwoods won’t buy the CT6 either.
Hahaha.
As someone who enjoys cleaning, waxing and staring at my stingray and Mustang GT in the garage, with a glass of wine and music in background, I can’t establish the same type of relationship with the Lincoln. It looks like a Ford 500/Taurus with that short hood. It may be great inside and all, but I don’t enjoy its looks.
Wish Caddy put the braveheart 6.2 Corvette engine in CT6 instead of those silly engine choices.
Upcoming 4.2TT V8 though.
A real beast under the hood would make a huge difference in the appeal of this Caddy. All of a sudden…yeah, I could see why they call it the flagship. Without it, not so much. IMO, engines are really important in this category.
Actually, I’d say the key thing the CT6 needs *before* a new engine is a massively uprated interior. The current one isn’t bad, but it doesn’t look or feel like money, and that’s a baseline requirement in this class of car.
Cadillac needs to poach everyone who did the interiors on the current line of Mercedes sedans.
“Cadillac needs to poach everyone who did the interiors on the current line of Mercedes sedans.”
To be fair, so does everyone else.
There will be an upgrade/higher trim interior for the MCE, but the CT6 was never intended to be Cadillac’s flagship sedan and the CT8 has been put on hold and not canceled.
Except that they don’t call it the flagship – a point they’ve made over and over again. (e.g. http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-cadillac-ct6-review )
CT6, the Lincoln looks strange to me dimensionally but whenever I see CT6 I always catch myself staring.
The Conti is a morphing of MKZ and something else when I see them on the road. Just undescriptive.
I vastly prefer the looks and interior of the Continental (and that true of it vs ANY full size luxury sedan not just the CT6), but I despise transverse engine vehicles, I’m not terribly fond of the feel of AWD, and the CT6’s absurdly low curb weight just sounds fun to drive. I’d probably be fine with the 3.6L naturally apsirated RWD V6 too; the CT6 hasn’t got that much weight to push around.
“I’d probably be fine with the 3.6L naturally aspirated RWD V6 too”
Does not exist. RWD is only available on the hybrid and turbo-4. Both V6s have mandatory AWD.
Well damn. The 3.6L NA should offer RWD only. I guess I’m a small minority in not wanting AWD.
Not like I’m in the market anyway. If I could drop $60k on a vehicle I’d have a nicely equipped Suburban.
AWD is pretty much the norm for this class of cars these days. Even if a model offers a RWD-only option, availability anywhere but warm-weather-only climates is strictly theoretical.
“AWD is pretty much the norm for this class of cars these days.”
Holds true not only for this class, but for many others, especially those with premium or luxury aspirations.
But for some reason, if Subaru, pushes AWD they’re deceiving the public into buying something they don’t need while other manufacturers take the money, while skipping to the bank singing show tunes.
IMO most don’t need AWD, but most don’t buy only what they need. There’s a whole lot of “want” rolled into car purchases.
“There’s a whole lot of “want” rolled into car purchases.”
Literally the entire point of the whole luxury segment.
CT6 all the way. Continentals are great looking cars, but they’re not anything special inside.
And I’d take an E-class Benz or A6 over either of these.
A STRANGE GAME. THE ONLY WINNING MOVE IS NOT TO PLAY.
C’mon, 28, these are both pretty cool rides.
Not in suggested configuration. I can get something better to induce headaches.
Personally, I think Corey picked out two pretty good configurations but what’s your thought?
I do agree, it is an excellent challenge. Assuming I can deviate from the Commandant’s selection, FWD Conti N/A V6 for 28. Because I don’t relish visiting the dealer 6-12 times a year, and Cadillac has never been more of a cartoonish joke.
A 3.7 FWD ‘Select’ in Jade Green with the 30-way seats and 13-speaker Revel audio is $51K.
Unfortunately, the FWD Conti is at a price point where the CT6 does not stoop. So at that level, they’re no longer competitors.
S**t, if you’re gonna take a base Continental with the 3.7 and FWD, you might as well scout out a CPO MKS. Might even be some new ones out there as well you could pick up for a song.
(BTW…base Continental has pleather.)
Do we have actual reliability results on the 3.0TT anyway? Hard to call it Son of Northstar without the DNA test.
@Freed
Depends if I can see out of it, I cannot see out of the MKS. If they both are equally bad in this regard, than “used saves” as the bookstore stickers used to say.
“BTW…base Continental has pleather”
The Church may have to issue a papal bull or fatwa over this injustice.
“Do we have actual reliability results on the 3.0TT anyway? Hard to call it Son of Northstar without the DNA test.”
The *platform* is basically Northstar.
@Corey
Good point, I see your logic.
I really love them both and would choose either over comparatively priced German or Japanese entries. Honestly, the Lincoln is a much more realistic price for me at this stage in my life and not in the trim chosen unfortunately. I would be very happy to have a Continental in my driveway. But assuming I have 60 to 70 grand to spend on a car, I would pick the Cadillac CT6. Regardless what auto journo types say, I simply love Cadillac’s designs. I love long low cars. I would be very happy to have the weight advantage in every day driving. The Caddy is geared more toward sport sedan than the Lincoln. In practice, it really wouldn’t matter, I am not tracking them, I am a commuter primarily, but do enjoy a bit of spirited driving where I can safely get it.
So, money no option, Cadillac is easy choice for me.
Continental.
The Lincoln has a real name and GM eschewing a V8 for turboz p*sses me off.
The Lincoln uses a turbo V6 as well, but at least that is a transverse platform and Ford’s EB engines are nicer than GM’s lag master 3.0T.
4.2 TT V8 incoming!
The CT6 with the Northstar Series II will be better than the 3.0T, but it will likely be kissing $90K to start and it’s still needless wank when your stable has the 6.2L.
I agree with you, but you know how Cadillac has to have special, worse engines. Is it really going to be similar to the N*?
Does anyone have any actual data to suggest the 3.0TT is Son of Northstar, or is that just anecdotal?
“but you know how Cadillac has to have special, worse engines.”
Deep in Soho, Johann the Zohan calls his minions together…
JdN: Why is “Cadillac will always offer special unreliable and expensive engines” listed in our brand charter?
Pen Boy: Well, we need Cadillac buyers to feel they have joined something special.
Melody: People don’t buy Cadillac for Cadillacs, its all about the brand.
Voice of reason: But doesn’t it hurt the brand when the product consistently fails?
Melody: As if! Because the products fail, it makes owners feel more special. They get special attention from our 933 dealers. Then when the next version comes out, they will buy more. Because, the brand!
JdN: What about time wasted in repairs and towing, isn’t time the greatest luxury of all?
Pen Boy: ….
Melody: ….
The CT6 is flawed, but at least still a big RWD sedan with a bit of presence. The Conti is a really nice Fusion (a heavy one too – I didn’t absorb that it was 500lbs more than the Caddy until now). GM’s got my hypothetical nonexistent dollars.
That said, if Ford would toss a few more thousand at the Lincoln to get rid of some of the Ford-grade stuff, it could sway me.
CT6. I wouldn’t want anyone to confuse me with Matthew McConaughey.
Alright alright!
“I wouldn’t want anyone to confuse me with Matthew McConaughey.”
Oh my – THANK you for saying that. I KNEW there was another reason I chose Cadillac!
Cadillac CT6. The Lincoln looks TOO MUCH like the lower level MKZ. Except for the door handles and rear end, it is a MKZ.
That said, I do like the way FMC hid the door handles on the Continental.
Besides, I’m a fan of RWD. And a true luxury sedan is RWD. FWD is for the “common” sedans.
RWD should be for EVERY sedan. FWD sucks. It wasn’t that long ago that you could buy all manner of non-luxury RWD sedans. Now you can buy a Dodge Charger or a Dodge Charger.
Oh please. FWD does not suck. The benefits of FWD far outweigh the negatives in all but the most performance oriented driving which 99.99% of the population NEVER does.
Transverse drivetrains are much more difficult to service in most cases.
You’re right, FWD doesn’t suck…when it’s in a compact or midsize with around 150-200 hp. In a 400-hp Continental, it’d DEFINITELY suck, and hard, unless you just can’t get enough torque steer.
Must be why Audi does not offer the A7 and A8 in FWD form in the States and will soon be killing off the FWD A6 (and this is with a longitudinal layout).
The main advantages for a FWD/transverse layout are two-fold:
1. More efficient use of space.
2. Cheaper
I wouldn’t buy either. But if you put a gun to my head and said choose, I’d go with the Cadillac.
Mopar or no car.
Thanks for not playing.
Mopar is my fave but I have to go with the Caddy just on looks alone.
Problem with Cadillac and Lincoln is that they are just a Chevy and Ford with better leather. If I’m going to spend $60k on a car, I’m not spending it on a Chevrolet. And no matter what Cadillac does, it doesn’t change the fact it will always be a Chevrolet.
You’re wrong there. The CT6 is on a platform used by NO other vehicles. Check your facts, so you can come back informed.
You expect an Internet Car Person to be “informed?”
you forget the mindset is “I just assume what I already think is right and resist any attempts by others to correct me.”
I mean, I’m okay with lightly uninformed, but the sanctimoniousness really gets to me.
And not only that, there are Mercedes models which are lightly re-skinned Renaults or Nissans (but with a better interior).
Oh great it has its own platform!! Whoopee!!
It’s still made by UAW workers in Detroit using the same suppliers GM uses for their other cars.
A Chevy by another name.
Obvious troll is obvious.
So you think something like the E-class gets its own factory, and does not use the same suppliers as the lowly CLA?
Yeah, what Freed said.
Pretty sure 90% of cars use the same suppliers as each other. There’s something in a Rolls Royce from the same supplier as a Mirage.
And with that, you have officially put a smile on the face of every Mirage owner in the world.
The ATS easily out-handles the C Class and the 3 Series due to its excellent platform (unfortunately, the Alpha platform giveth and taketh – taking away passenger space).
“I’m going to spend $60k on a car, I’m not spending it on a Chevrolet.”
I’ve got no problem spending 60 large on a Grand Sport.
Heck, have no problem spending $80k+ on the upcoming mid-engine Vette.
They ride and feel completely different from the blue collar siblings they were birthed from.
They were born from white-collar prestige which neither can claim any more. It’s at least partially because they share platforms with the lower-priced “siblings” that they’ve lost that prestige.
To quote Rush; “if you choose not to decide you still have made a choice”.
I choose the Red Barchetta…
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand.
CT6 all day, but only because I’m one of the few weirdos left who still enjoys driving and has a commute that enables that. The Continental is the better car for more people.
I’m with 28-Cars: wouldn’t have either of these on a bet.
Caddy
Pro: Rear wheel drive, trademark Art and Science styling.
Con: Nice try, but Art and Science styling has never worked.
Lincoln
Pro: At least they got rid of the hideous angel wing front grille.
Con: Front wheel drive chassis, a frumpy Ford gussied up a bit is still a frump.
Bottom line:
If you gave me either one I’d trade it for something decent.
You know me fairly well, but I wouldn’t knock the Conti as a frump. I would say it needs to offer two motors, not three, and both they and the transaxle must be anvil reliable. Like Merc 4Matic, Voodoo AWD would simply be an option on all trims, base, Signature, Black Tie or whatever. I would minimize the use of LCD/LED interfaces and encourage bluetooth connectivity for creature comforts. The water pump servicing would not be a twelve hour job, and all fluids would be accessible to end users for change. I would improve the styling drastically, but as-is it is acceptable.
Gifted either, I would drive the Conti as-is in FWD V6 form and probably like it.
In this area, these cars are 99% the rides of Uber/Livery drivers. The other 1% is the guy in the Continental I saw with the MAGA 1 license plate.
I suppose I’d take the Caddy, but I’d never be excited about spending $60k on either of these.
“I suppose I’d take the Caddy, but I’d never be excited about spending $60k on either of these.”
And there it is. The value proposition for these cars just doesn’t exist. Neither car is that luxurious and neither is inexpensive enough to show that GM and Ford are making an effort to buy market share.
Eventually F and GM will have their toe tag sales for these. They’re not bad cars, but they’re not good enough.
These cars are the 2012 equivalent of the Hyundai Genesis, but they’re priced like Audis.
I like them both, but I want to pay used Accord prices for them, on account of I’m not paying over $30k for a new car and there reliability adds to my ownership costs. How long before I can get one for $12,000 with 30,000 miles?
You want a cheap CPO Caddy get an XTS. Under 20,000 miles 1 year old examples being listed for sub $35,000 with 6 year 100,000 mile warranties.
Bingo, check this V-sport out:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/699063776/overview/
It’s sad that I could pick up a CPO XTS for less than a brand new Lacrosse (with Caddy having more toys)
I wish the XTS didn’t look so woeful.
I’m a fan of the XTS’ looks, actually, particularly in that candy apple red metallic. Love those proto-tailfins in the brake lights.
“I like them both, but I want to pay used Accord prices for them, on account of I’m not paying over $30k for a new car and there reliability adds to my ownership costs. How long before I can get one for $12,000 with 30,000 miles?”
and people wonder why automakers ignore you.
Cadillac in black. It’s got a great stately presence to it, yet it’s lighter and probably nimbler.
I love its door handles and seats, but the Conti looks like its cosplaying as a Silver Cloud for Comic-Car-Con.
I didnt care for the sound of the doors Of the Conti when you opened them. It reminded me of an old truck with all the clicking. I liked the front end and the side of the car but for the back of the car it does not look proportioned right.
Will they ever make a CT6-V? That would be epic.
I love the 3.5TT in the Lincoln, and the advances they’ve made in tech will make it a great, 55% depreciated car in three years.
But I’ve gotta go Caddy, here and now. Black, please. It’s sinister.
The test drive would tell the tale.
CT6. That Lincoln is a proper grandpamobile. Hard pass on that. Of course, there are several options I would choose over this Government Motors offering, but those fall outside the rules of this game.
“Government Motors”
I’ll let you in on a couple little secrets:
1) Obama is no longer president,
2) Hillary didn’t win in November.
Jim, GWB got the ball rolling with the bailout of GM and Obama signed the checks. Both own the bailout.
HRC wasn’t involved.
Jaeger’s comment wasn’t D v. R political, but thanks for taking it there.
“Jaeger’s comment wasn’t D v. R political, but thanks for taking it there.”
Oh GFY. Anyone still saying “Government Motors” in 2017 is making a political statement. You’re just like every other chickens**t here; you say just enough to make your point but cloak it in code words so when someone calls you on it, you can blame *them* for making it political.
It was a non-political statement. Certainly a consumer one. Sentiments I agree with.
Oh and Hillary did win in November.
“Oh and Hillary did win in November.”
Which is why she’s president today.
Oh wait…
That Lincoln *is* a proper grandpamobile.
I want one.
Neither. They’re both ugly and bear almost no resemblance to their historical purpose as luxury cars. The Caddy looks like it’s trying to be a sports car and the Lincoln looks like a Kia.
Thanks for failing to participate. Good job. Can always count on you!
I did pick my poison; it was neither.
I’ll put it another way: Whichever one pays me the most money over $1M will be the one I pick. Until then, they’re equally poisonous.
2. You must choose either the Continental or the CT6 as your new ride of choice, and preferably inform us as to why.
I chose neither because I would not choose either… and I explained why. Neither one is what their brands represent.
That is not how the game works.
Corey: Lets play basketball
Vulpine: I hit a home run
Hahahaha. I wonder if I can configure AdBlock to block out certain letter combinations…
Corey, you should have added a third choice.
3. Stomp your feet, refuse to choose and complain about why it’s an unfair question.
It’s fine, I’ve now made a decision now never to waste *any* more of my time bothering with it. On any topic.
I never said it was an unfair question; I simply stated I wouldn’t choose either one. Neither one of them has what I want in a car and neither one of them is worth their MSRP. Simple as that. I wouldn’t buy one if my life depended on it.
If you want a choice, then roll a die. Even pips it’s Caddy, odd pips it’s the Lincoln. But don’t expect me to pay for either one and if they’re given to me I’d sell it before I added any more miles to it.
Q: Adriana Lima or Karlie Kloss?
A: I’ll just go give myself a low-five.
So in the question of Conti vs CT6, Vulpine chooses death.
Let’s just say I’d rather take my chances walking instead. Who know? Maybe I’d find a horse wandering loose and ride it back to my compact pickup truck.
CT6 so that I’ll finally be able to see one in more than a picture Once the Continental has been around for a while I’m sure I’ll see some of those in my area. But they’ll be “imports” as I don’t think there is a Lincoln dealer left here. Of course the Caddy dealer has almost no stock – so almost the same situation.
My friend wanted to test a Cadillac there and the salesman tried to sell him some used beauty instead. Hard to sell what you can’t see, touch and smell.
Le Continental all day everyday for me.
I want to like the Continental, but for me, a car like this needs to look and feel like money. The Continental looks the part, but aside from the door operation (which is AWESOME, by the way), and the fancy seats, it doesn’t feel like expensive goods. It feels like the world’s nicest MKZ, and from everything I’ve read, apparently it drives that way too.
The CT6 lacks premium feel, but from all reports, it’s special to drive. And if Cadillac unleashes the folks who did the Escalade’s cabin, this car’s one glaring fault can be fixed.
But there’s just no getting around the Continental’s family-sedan roots. No sale.
The Continental definitely is nicer to drive than the MKZ. It just feels wider and more substantial, and feels like nothing can faze it. The MKZ just feels like a cramped Fusion with flimsy switchgear, and has a relatively jarring ride. Even when they both have the 3.0t the Continental still feels faster somehow.
Interesting observation.
Though I have issues with the interior ambience and the transmission, I’d take the CT6 without hesitation.
Your reservations have been duly noted.
Meh.
I’d have to drive them, but I can’t imagine any large sedan in my driveway that isn’t a Charger RT/300C.
The specs on the Caddy look favorable (power, weight, RWD layout) but look at it. The Lincoln is classier looking by a mile (at first glance I though it was a Jaguar).
For my ~$60k give me a Ram 2500 Laramie Mega Cab Cummins.
Same, but gimme some Powerwagon
You fail.
I’m just auditing this class.
I could never afford either, but, if I could, I’d go with the Lincoln.
The Continental has no presence. There’s no disguising the blobby FWD proportions. It’s big, but nothing about it looks big. There’s no hood, there’s a giant sail C pillar instead of a back deck. It’s an 11/10 scale Camry, which is to say in the wild with nothing to measure it against it’s just a regular Camry. At least it has a name and a notion of what it’s supposed to be.
That sense of identity is far more than the Cadillac has, store brand BMW has been an embarrassment from day one, but at least it has a hood line and looks expensive.
I’d drive a Chrysler 300, hoodrat dubs and all, over either of them and I wouldn’t think twice about it.
CT6. Got to drive the hybrid version at a Cadillac event. Not sure if the spec’d trim comes with massaging seats, but they’re nice.
Does either one offer a manual transmission?
Then no thanks, I am not signing the contract to have to take one or the other. (Creating this false dilemma creates a postable article, but it’s like asking which will you have for lunch – haggis or kimchi? Or which woman would you marry – Lena Dunham or Rosie O’Donnell?)
Grandma can have her 16 MPG 4000 or 4500 lb leviathan to carry her to the Senior Center. I’ll drive something that won’t put me to sleep.
“Does either one offer a manual transmission?”
Surely you jest.
I had kimchi for lunch.
It was delicious.
Continental.
why? the seats.
Oh, those magic seats.
I’d go with the Cadillac. I actually like the looks of the CT6 and CTS, while finding the ATS too rounded. The Lincoln has presence in person, but the longer I look at it, the more out of proportion it seems.
Hard to believe these two “luxury flagships” are priced at “nice truck” money.
For the price, I would of course pick something else.
I think it’s harder to believe that nice trucks are priced at luxury flagship money. $80-90,000 for a truck? WTF.
Cadillac.
Why? I’ve always liked Cadillacs (Cimarron and Catera not withstanding). I like the styling of the CT6. It is more edgy and in your face. I have not sat or driven either car, so my opinion is purely from what I’ve read or seen.
I’ve seen a few CT6s in the wild but I don’t think I’ve come across a Continental on the streets.
IF I were in the market for such a flagship conveyance, I would seriously have to check out both, but my heart tells me that I’d lean toward the Cadillac.
Why the Cadillac?
I feel the Caddy would be the better car to buy, and I prefer GM cars to Ford, that’s why.
Now that I have a Lincoln, I feel like the Cadillac is probably better-built. Having driven both, it definitely drives better. I’m sure both of these will be depreciation specials and I’ll be able to pick them up for $30K or so.
So…I’ll take the CT6, please, which really isn’t a bad price for that powertrain when you could blow $70K on a four-cylinder E-Class or 5-Series.
What type of Lincoln did you get? I’m thinking of getting rid of my Acura for a 300C Platinum or a MKZ. Two different class of cars but thats what I want.
Grouping all modern Lincolns with the MKS isn’t fair. The MKS is the most dated and most Ford-like of all Lincolns. It’s one of few times that it makes sense to strongly consider a Taurus Limited instead.
Couple of observations:
1. The Continental in Black Label trim can be optioned into the mid-80s.
2. The Escalade and Navigator are brands most expensive vehicles. Escalade bases at $73,395 and goes to just over $100k in Platinum ESV trim. My SWB Platinum had a sticker of $94,595. The 2018 Navigator starts at $72,055 and in Black Label Trim can touch $90k.
The prices listed are not with all options, but rather the base price for the top trim.
Top of the price lists was referring to sedans.
The Escalade is most definitely NOT the car for me, but man…that Platinum interior is gorgeous. I could live in there.
CT6 for me as well, especially if that 34 speaker sound system is included. It would pain me to spend $60k plus on a car without 8 cylinders, but the Caddy at least has a nice stance and road presence. I haven’t been impressed with either the style or specs on the Lincoln since I first saw it.
Some things to consider. The atp on the continental’s have been pretty favorable for buyers, especially fleet purchases. I’ve heard of pretty steep discounts on multi vehicle purchases. The Cadillac price wise tries to justify itslef as a sort of jaguar xj competitor (maybe Maserati ghibli price wise), which in my opinion is probably the closest at least in terms of performance and drivetrain/chassis setup. However, given the fact these are aimed as traditional big American cruisers I’d probably go with a continental given that I don’t find vehicles with these type of dimensions to be particularly sporty, whatever people may say. As a “cruiser” it’s the better option. The biggest issue with the caddy is its pricing (both msrp and real world transaction prices). Especially when you consider that Cadillac doesn’t want you to think of this as they’re flagship. What I want to know is how many escalade and new navigator sales does it take to subsidize the production of these vehicles?
…….CT6, nah. I don’t want a hey look at me I’m trying to be a BMW kind of car. If I wanted a big sedan, I would go with the Conni, a more comfortable big highway cruiser. That’s why you buy a big car in the 1st place.
Also, I’m always nervous on what dark cost cutting Chinese sourced method was employed buried deep in the driveline that will render the CT6 dead on I-40 between Winslow and Gallup.
…. Oh but wait, I don’t have to make the decision, I have my 96 B -Body.
Whichever is roomiest and has the cushiest ride, so probably the Lincoln. Unfortunately, my local Lincoln dealer (who also sold Ford) went belly up in the great recession and has not been replaced. The competing, larger, Ford only dealer won’t pick up Lincoln because they want “too nice a showroom.” So, Lincoln’s are very thin on the ground here, and with the MKZ sharing front end styling with the Continental, I’m not sure I’ve EVER seen a Conny in the wild.
So, I’ll take the mulligan and the ridicule and say I’m far more interested in the ’18 Navigator. Since I have no interest at all in a ‘Slade, Lincoln the brand takes it.
Not a huge fan of either, and I’ve only driven the Continental (I’ve only seen one CT6 on the road ever), but I like the underdog so I’d choose the Continental since Lincoln has less of a reputation than Cadillac and will say less about me for owning one, even though I’d prefer something RWD-based. They both look super China-focused, both goofy looking, I don’t know why the Conti’s trunk is so stubby.
I think the trunk is stubby because they needed all the passenger room they could get, and were at the limits of what the platform could carry.
The CT-6 for me, but only if I can persuade the dealer to install the convertible look vinyl roof, fake wire wheel covers, and a continental kit to give it the proper elegance of a real Cadillac.
What? No two-tone paint?
What color do you suggest to go along with the pink?
I choose the Lincoln because it is 500 lbs heavier and I prefer the interior to the CT6’s. I also prefer the subtler styling of the Lincoln. I could also use the $5k price difference for some sweet Lincoln accessories.
“Sweet Lincoln accessories”
I’m sure you can get a landau top for <5k.
Opera lights are extra.
CT6, no question. Despite my disdain for GM, I actually like Cadillac’s sedans, and the CT6’s lighter RWD-based chassis and cleaner styling make this an easy call. In fact, if Cadillac’s pricing weren’t so delusional and I was in the market for a full-sized luxury car, I’d consider the CT6.
I am a 2 Caddy Man… 2nd Gen CTS4 w/ the 3.6 DI V6 and currently on a XTS4 Platinum non TT V6. I love my highway cruiser XTS. That being said….I would choose the Lincoln just because I think it is a better highway cruiser over the CT6. The CT6 also lacks anything interesting in the interior; it’s just too efficient and bland. Especially if Lincoln does the offering up a private driver service you can arrange for your Lincoln when you want/need a driver. I like that idea rather than taking a chance on getting a sub-par black car showing up at your house for a run to the airport.
I’d take the Continental, mostly because of the styling. It has a beefy, solid look.
Cadillac’s design language just doesn’t do it for me, even though I appreciate they have created a unique look for themselves. The CT6 is probably the best looking iteration of their design language though.
I haven’t driven or even sat in either of these so my opinion amounts to nothing, but I find the CT6 far more striking and I like the curb weight advantage. It is a sharp car and it has presence. It also supposedly handles surprisingly well. So Cadillac it is–sharp reflexes and a brittle ride from a big American sedan sounds like an interesting dichotomy.
Just don’t compare depreciation to the Escalade the other people in the showroom are buying.
Great question and tough choice! Both cars appeal to me for different reasons. The Caddy is sharp looking (I like Cadillac’s design language – very distinctive), but I have to say the Conti gets my vote. A friend bought one and visually it has a presence like no other. Drives well too.
I have to go with the Lincoln because the idea of the largest Cadillac sedan having a trunk (15 cubic feet) smaller than that of a Honda Accord is not something I can or will deal with.
Personally, I would pick the Lincoln over the Cadillac. To me, it seems like Lincoln hit the target they were going after, a comfortable, compliant luxury car. As for the Cadillac, they threw everything into the pot, and hoped to come up with a winning formula. In some cases the CT6 succeeds. It’s light, has RWD, and it brought a few more customers into the Cadillac showroom. However, it doesn’t feel complete as a luxury flagship. Why did they make it just as big as the 7-Series, and not a full-on luxury limo like the S-Class? While the Platinum trim has nice leather and all, the fit and finish is still typical GM. I sat in a dealer demo, it was a Platinum, and the rear reclining seats didn’t even work..it has 5K miles on it. Lincoln has the winner here, and they’re doing even better since they’re about to launch the Navigator.
The Continental TOTALLY! Cadillac builds GM JUNK! The Northstar wasn’t that long ago…talk about JUNK!
At least the Lincoln has a REAL NAME…WTF does CT6 even mean? Especially when the base model has a 4 cylinder. What a joke.
Plus, the Continental has style!
I’ll play along. Having had some time in both within the past year, I can state without reservation that the Conti is better in almost every way…from inside the cabin. Trod out the “dressed up Ford” line as much as you like. The fit/finish/feel of the Lincoln is so far above and beyond that of rental-grade Fusion that no one besides geeks like us (and/or industry insiders) would ever know they’re platform mates. Drive a Lexus ES and Avalon/Camry back-to-back and tell me you can say the same? Everything about the Conti looked and felt premium to me, and uniquely so, something I have not felt about any Lincloln MK-whatever in the past decade (many of which *did* did feel too much like “warmed over Fords”). This one doesn’t feel like nicer Ford. It feels special. Like first gen Phaeton special. Like current gen Volvo(!) V90 special. Yeah, it’s that good. It also rides every bit as nice as it looks, though plenty of others in this segment do the same.
The problem is that the Conti’s distinctiveness ends the second you look beyond that fabulous interior. It’s not particularly quick and it’s not a particularly good drive. Not that it wants to be of course. The Caddy, meanwhile, is everything the Conti isn’t. Like its smaller (and apparently not long for this world) CTS/ATS siblings, the CT6 is an absolute joy dynamically. I only had the briefest of time to drive one, but I wouldn’t argue with anyone who dubbed it among the best “driver’s cars” in it’s class and price point. It was certainly among the best, if not *the* best, handling “big cars” I’ve EVER driven. The current 7-series feels like an overweight pig by comparison.
But that’s Caddy’s problem, isn’t it? A stable full of attractive, dynamic, great driving, priced-well-for-their-class cars that no one really cares to by. It’s a bigger, nicer CTS. People (who can afford one) should love it. And buy it. They won’t, of course. It’s the wrong mark, wrong pedigree, and wrong era, and I don’t know if GM/Caddy will ever be able change this. Such is the problem when you spend too many years building shit cars(Northstar era, anyone?). You reach a point where you can’t bring the defectors back simply by building good, even great, ones. Sad.
As for the “pick one” challenge, it’s not much of a contest, and least not at this stage in my lifecourse. The CT6 is one I would buy, and certainly the one I would drive. The Lincoln is the one I would rent, particularly for a long trip and/or if I had people along for the ride.
I’d choose the Caddy. But I’d want those chrome door handles replaced for body colored ones and the chrome trim replaced for black.
IMO, no car, especially one with premium or luxury aspirations should have chrome door handles. Looks tacky and cheap.
I’d take the Continental. I have driven a recent model CTS and didn’t like it. I know, not the same….but the infotainment and seats were the deal breakers. While the CT6 is longer and wider than a CTS, the way you have to interact with them doesn’t appear to have changed significantly enough that I’m interested. No buttons and that gigantic touch screen. UGH. Plus, the Art & Science design has never appealed to me.
The Continental looks more anonymous, but that’s its appeal to me. An American highway cruiser all the way, which is the point of any full size sedan, but especially a luxury brand. I doubt anyone is buying these to drive mountain roads in a ….’spirited’ manner.
Plus, real buttons for sound control and HVAC seal the deal.
Please tell me that in this hypothetical, we can at least reduce the wheel size on either vehicle? Or is this an “As its sold on the lot” comparison?
If we CAN change the size, I’d take the 18″ wheels from the Select trim over what appear to be the 20″ wheels in the photo. The CT6 also would need the 18″ wheels from the base 2.0l trim to look and probably ride better.
The Caddy clearly. It’s more comely, the Lincoln looks like a (whether it true or not) tarted up Fusion/Taurus. What’s more is that – even when saddled with AWD – it will walk away from the Lincoln on your favorite road.
Are looks and spirited driving the only important things in a luxury car? No. But it is the most important things to me.
I’d go with CT6.
I currently drive a Gen 2 CTS, and the CT6 is the first Caddy to come out since the Gen 2 CTS that has really caught my eye. It looks great IRL and really has road presence, which is important to me.
The Continental SHOULD have road presence, but something about the styling – inside and out – is…not sophisticated. A commenter above said the Conti “looks like its cosplaying as a Silver Cloud for Comic-Car-Con” and I think it sums it up perfectly.
The Conti (and new Navigator) is almost like a caricature to me. Rather than take ideas for the past and modernize them, the Conti is too LITERALLY retro – those “yacht club” blue interiors and everything seem like literal recreations of the Givenchy / Pucci / Bill Blass days from the ’70s. The whole thing comes across as cheesy and forced. Like the ’02 T-bird.
I also already associate the Conti with livery / Ubers. I work adjacent to LAX so I see all the black cars, and I have exclusively seen the Conti IRL in livery form. On the other hand, all CT6s I’ve seen have been retail (XTS is a different story; that is definitely a livery workhorse, but I suppose that was the point all along.)
I also think it was a mistake to put the Conti front end on the MKZ before the Conti even hit the street! It took all character away from MKZ and made its styling schizophrenic while cheapening the styling of the Conti. No winning in that situation. Very “Chrysler Lebaron / Chrysler TC by Maserati” of them.
I’d go with the Conti for the nicer interior, but only after waiting a couple of years for the new GM/Ford 9-speed to replace the dim-witted 6-speed. That transmission is the Conti’s Achilles’ heel.
Pick Cadillac CT6
* Better platform and handling.
* Styling befit of a luxury car.
Pan Continental
* Generic FWD platform.
* Generic styling.
This pains me too because I am a Ford fan.
I would go with the Cadillac. I prefer the styling, as it has much more presence – and the lighter weight is a plus too.
Of course, I was born in the ’50’s and grew up in the early ’60’s, when a Cadillac was a Cadillac, fins and all.
The only other car I test drove before buying my A5 several years ago was a CTS coupe, but it seemed more about bling than driving enjoyment.
Have been a caddy man but will have to go with Lincoln here.
Consistent with tradition GM offering is more substantial yet the execution is better at Ford. I am finally getting mature enough to see past specs and think about how I will use the product and here better execution with Lincoln (nicer interior, exterior detail compensating for frumpy FWD proportions) wins.
BTW, I haven’t come across any head to head comparison between the tow at MT or C&D.
So…an awful rebadge of a Fusion or a proper luxury car.
Why is this even a question?
My new theory is that you’re a false flag planted by Ford to make its detractors look as bad as possible.
How many Northstars can I put you down for, sir?
CT6. Every time I see one on the street I catch myself admiring the stance and lines. I was excited Lincoln was resurrecting the Continental but when I see them in the wild I just find them boring. Of course sharing the same front fascia with the MKZ does not help. The door handles are the only thing that give it away as being a Continental when approaching from the opposite direction. It needs more presence to be asking those prices for purchase.
I remember back in the 90’s when car reviewers were dictating that only RWD was acceptable on a true luxury sedan so the only possible response is the CT6. That said, I also think the Cadillac is more advanced than the Lincoln and a better looking car. I’m going to cheat a little here and say that I would opt for the Platinum trim on the CT6 rather than what was mentioned.
The Continental, its by far the classier ride. I just wish it had the CT6’s rear drive proportions. The Caddy leaves me cold from its alphanumerically bland name to its weird front end styling.
The Caddy… The Conti looks too generic. That and my GM retiree discount .
You rock, Mikey!
Still driving my 2012 Impala, chrome door handles and all!
Is the CT6 the Caddy that Zigs? If so, I’ll pick that.
The Cadillac as it’s a better drivers car. But both are left wanting in the details department, especially when you consider the price you pay.
Cadillac:
Manual Rear Sun Shades on the doors when Hyundai uses power
Door lock plungers are disgustingly cheap looking
CUE
Other controls that are clearly out of an Impala. The door mirror L/R selector switch is stupid cheap in look and feel
CUE (yes it deserves a second mention)
Bose Panaray– although loud, is not a Bowers & Wilkins system. The wired headphone jack for rear seat passengers is nice–compared to using wireless which can have issues with sound quality. CD player is optional *rolls eyes*
Lincoln:
Fit and finish is poor (the trunk alignment is horrid on a lot of cars)
Steering column shroud fit and finish is awful with large gaps, poor parting lines on the molding
The push buttons for the transmission are a joke—on an $80K car they couldn’t have used a better plastic?
Revel sound system isn’t very impressive
6 speed automatic gets frustrated and will slam into gears. I noted the same behavior on a MKC that was on loan here
Overall quality is iffy. I would not get the 30 way seats as I’ve read of warranty spikes due to issues with individual bladders and the vehicle I got to drive around had issues with the seat shifting around when you drove it. Not a lot mind you, but enough that you could feel some movement in the seat sections.
What a pertinent question as this has been coming up in my household lately.
Starting to see the end of the need for large people movers with all of the kids leaving the house in the next several years. When the FLEX is ready to move on, the Continental has the inside track as a replacement. I have never seen myself as a Lincoln owner but maybe Lincoln isn’t as upscale/un-obtainable as it used to be or maybe I am just getting older.
I believe driving a large highway cruiser would be a wonderful thing.
Everything I have read about it seems to place it squarely in the All-American large car category. What is wrong with that? I don’t “track day” it (How many people really race their cars? really?). And while I rarely will drive just the speedlimit, I am not out to race anyone. I feel that the 400 hp of the Continental is more than enough to get me to whatever cruising speed I want.
When I broached the idea to my wife she was against having an old person car, but once she looked up the pictures and descriptions she was all on board.
I think the Cadillac is trying to be both a sport car and a luxury car. Does it do both well?
I drove the CT6…so Continental all day long.
I’m going to bend the rules. For the price of the proposed CT6, I can get a Black Label edition of the Continental with money left over for a couple of options on top of the already premium trim.
I already prefer the looks of the Lincoln. It’s not going to tromp on Nuremberg, like the Caddy has the potential to. It’s not supposed to. It’s a full size luxury car and pulls that off better than any other car in it’s price point.
Cadillac. To me it looks properly expensive. I’m not tired of “art & science styling” because it has evolved over the years while still looking distinctly American. I think the Lincoln is a handsome car but the interior looks cheap to me. I sat in one at a car show and the dash and console were underwhelming.
The Caddy, but I will wait to get a two or three year old one off-lease at a massive discount.
Cars in this class deserve RWD.
The question should really be, which toast would you like, wheat or rye.
Rye.
Absolutely. Rye.
Every time I see the Continental in person, I’m surprised again at how much I like its exterior, and the Caddy design language looks to me like it’s trying way too hard on the CT6. Maybe it’s shallow to just go on surface appearances, but…
The CT6, because as you stated, “One is costly, lighter, longer, and more efficient. The other less expensive, heavier, wider, and wearing arguably better styling. Transverse front-wheel drive versus a longitudinal rear-wheel setup.” (Other than that more costly thing.)
These cars are among the best Detroit has ever built. In fact the CT6 maybe one of the best handling luxury sedans in the world. The Lincoln is a handsome sedan in the American tradition. For some reason Detroit can still build decent luxury cars, but has lost art of making competitive family sedans. Perhaps that is due too much design and engineering outsourcing. I believe the best engineering and design in America is taking place at both Cadillac and Tesla. You can also throw the Corvette in there as well.
The Cadillac, because it’s the best-handling big sedan ever. I’d quietly take the salesman aside and see if a RWD one can be delivered rather than an AWD one. If I’m compromising space and quietness for handling, I should get what I’m paying for.
Pick: CT6
Styling, lighter weight, interior content, exterior proportions, TT-V6 is slick.
Shows a 70-75% effort level of what Cadillac can truly do.
I was pumped at the Continental concept, but the production model made little key changes that really lost me. And doesn’t use a modified Taurus platform which is fairly old anyway? But in that sense, it’s a nice try. The Lincoln brand needs all “regal-type” sedan models.
Hard choice. I prefer the CT6’s styling, but after sitting in two of them – one at an auto show and the other via an Uber ride, I was not impressed with the quality of the interior materials. The Continental only gets interesting after you stuff it with options (Black Label Thoroughbred), but it has frumpish FWD proportions…why couldn’t they have mounted the engine longitudally and give that longer hood. In photographs it looks like a blinged out Camry. But the CT6 is lighter, better handling I gather, and better economy, and the Panaray sound system is killer. So I’ll say CT6, though tonight I might change my mind.
longitudinally…damn spell check.