Until recently, the Cadillac brand was synonymous with luxury vehicles, in fact, professional heavyweight boxing legend Smokin’ Joe Frazier preferred them over others. Over the last few years, it seems that the automaker’s reputation is beginning to slip. And it doesn’t appear the 2020 Cadillac CT6 is going to help.

How does the Cadillac CT6 stack up?

U.S. News ranks the Cadillac CT6 in seventh place among large luxury cars behind competitors such as Acura, Audi, Kia, and Mercedes. The Cadillac CT6 is available at a competitive price point starting at $58,995 and climbing to $96,495 as options are added.

U.S. News indicates that the CT6 is a good car for the price, but it didn’t rank very highly in their review because the class competition is high. The 2020 Cadillac CT6 buyers can choose between Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Platinum trim levels.

Cadillac CT6 configurations

A Cadillac CT6 in Luxury trim starts at $58,995 and comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 producing 335 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque. Driver-selectable modes enable the 10-speed automatic transmission to deliver precisely tuned power through the all-wheel-drive system.

Standard safety features include forward collision alert, following distance indicator, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, side blind zone alert, front pedestrian braking, front and rear park assist, and several airbags to protect occupants in the event of an accident. Premium interior features that come standard include an eight-speaker Bose sound system, 14-way adjustable front seats, hand-crafted leather interior, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Upgrading to Premium Luxury trim increases the starting price to $74,995 and retains the standard safety, features, engine, and drivetrain. Upgrades include magnetic ride control, active rear steering, and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The Premium Luxury trim also includes adaptive cruise control, heated power-folding side mirrors, front cornering lamps, and illuminated door handles. Premium sound is delivered through a 34-speaker Bose audio system.

For the ultimate in Cadillac luxury, buyers should consider ordering their CT6 in the Platinum trim starting at $96,495. In addition to features included at lower trim levels, upgraded features for Platinum trim include a twin-turbocharged 4.2-liter V8 that produces 500 hp and 574 lb-ft of torque.

Interior upgrades for Platinum trimmed modes include 20-way adjustable ventilated front seats with heat and massage on demand and a 10-inch high-definition rear infotainment system with HDMI input and a pair of wireless dual-channel headphones.

What are some other options?

U.S. News ranks the Audi A7/S7 in its top spot in its review of large luxury cars. The A7 is available with a 335-hp V6 engine backed by a seven-speed automatic transmission, or you can choose the S7 version to get a 444-hp V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission powertrain. Other positives noted by U.S. News include a plush ride, easy-to-use technology, and a large interior that provides ample space for passengers and luggage or groceries. Being the best car in the class comes at a price as the Audi is the most expensive car included in the review.

The Kia K900 ranks in the No. 3 spot and is the least expensive of all the contenders in the U.S. News review. With only one trim available at $59,900 and one available option package adding another $4,400, Kia offers a plethora of standard features aimed at providing passenger comfort over sportiness.

While the emphasis is on comfort and not performance, the K900 is powered by a respectable 365-hp twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine producing 376 lb-ft of torque. As the premier entrant of Kia’s lineup, the interior of the K900 is mostly up to expectations, although there are more painted plastic surfaces present than desirable for a car in this class.

Buyers in the luxury car market would be best served to look at other models than the Cadillac CT6 based on the review by U.S. News. Other luxury car models offer more features, better reliability, and higher luxury at competitive price points.