This type of data is important as it helps give buyers a good idea of what they are getting. I would like to see the big auto mags do a DB recording for all cars tested. Then we can all get idea of how quiet a car really is before we buy it. Or better yet, make the manufacturer post those DB measurements.

 

Way too many factors to have it across various areas. Need to control for road surface, weather, etc.

Lots of debate as to whether decibels vs sones would be more appropriate as well.

And then people perceive frequencies differently.

 

And thats why you've seen the use of dB measurements fall off. Car magazines used to do that, MotorWeek even used to include them. Edmunds still does. Like pbm said there is a lot to control for, and dB doesn't tell the whole story.

If you read what they write they reference to the fact that they actually take these measurements they just don't publish them.

 

I can be done from the manufacturers level. Cars are already tested for others things with standards in place such as SAE engine rating etc etc.

 

But different manufacturers are going to test in different ways on different roads, etc.

In any event, this is something that is easy to test. If you want to know how quiet a car is to you, go drive it. They have testing criteria to be sure people aren't being sold something that has been advertised falsely where the real data is difficult or impossible for the buyer to test. Road noise is easy...just drive the cars and pick the one you feel is the quietest.

 

That's not on the S-class, I believe it's a photo from the previous C-class. The standard plungers were cheap in that car, but Mercedes had these high-quality accessory ones available.

 

Could you post a pic of the plungers of the LX for 2016 and what they look like?

 

Finally saw a CT6. There were two of them at the Cadillac dealer. Very impressive exterior. Didn't get a chance to sit inside. Lovely front end that does not have some stupid front end. Looks smaller in person but it still is big. I think the rear doors to the back is one of the best designs on the market.

 

What I was surprised by in person is how low and wide it looks...

 

Yep. It has a very nice presence.

 

Finally test drove the new CT6. (I could not resist). It was a white model with white leather (or it looked white), perhaps it was grey. MSRP was $79k. It was twin turbo non AWD.
Overall, materials inside feel very much like the BMW, kinda like the 5-series. The overall experience inside if very similar to that of the Escalade. The car feels smaller than a full size inside but larger than a mid size. It feels very 7/8th full size.

Pros:

Floaty and boaty but all of a sudden sharp handling (magnetic ride control really reacts)
Features galore
Touchscreen/hard buttons/steering wheel and mouse like pad can control almost everything
3.0TT has tons of power, is silky smooth and I doubt most will ever realize that it is not a V6.
Rear view camera mirror is a real marvel and shows everything behind
Has its own personality and identity inside (not trying to be a Lexus/MB)
Drives smaller than the size
Comfy seats
Very driver oriented like a BMW
Impressive acceleration


Cons:

Lacks some of the smoothness in operation of the controls like a Lexus or Mercedes
Some questionable materials in and around the doors frame inside
Some questionable plastics
Not exactly full size, it is clear that this things made for the world markets outside of the USA.
Heard a rattle in the headliner as I was returning to the dealer
Smaller than expected trunk

 

I assume you mean you wouldnt be able to tell its not a V8, it is a V6.

Magnetic ride control is a great feature.

I'm going to try and drive one too.

 

Thanks for the report. Sounds nice. Like you and SW15LS, I plan to drive one, too, when possible. I like the description of the ride....soft when cruising and firm when needed for sharp handling. That more less describes the latest 5.0L RWD Hyundai Genesis, without GM's magnetic suspension.

 

MotorWeek | Road Test: 2016 Cadillac CT6 - YouTube

Here is an honest, good review from Motorweek. I have always liked the reviews from Motorweek.

Claims its the best Cadillac ever, and I completely agree.

(I cannot seem to embed the video link) Can someone do it?

 

You're right...the video doesn't seem to be working, but I'll post the transcript among with it.

(the video DOES work if you actually watch it on Youtube)

Just FYI, Jill, I know Motorweek's John Davis....but somewhat casually; we aren't close friends. Motorweek's HQ at Owings Mills, MD isn't that far from where I live. I see him at the annual D.C. Auto Show, and sometimes other local car shows, and we talk (what else?)....cars. He's a really nice guy (I've always liked him)......not snooty like some other members of the auto press.

MotorWeek | Road Test: 2016 Cadillac CT6 - YouTube

Like many recent GMs, Cadillac's CT6 sedan seemed to be a long time coming. But that’s okay...if you’re launching an all-new flagship sedan to go after the world’s best, taking whatever time is necessary to get it right is prudent and smart. So, let’s take a look at Cadillac’s new take on global luxury; and see if they did indeed got the job done.

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.