Decline of the American Luxury Sedan: A Look at Cadillac and Lincoln

A Comparison of America’s Leading Brands: Cadillac and Lincoln

When asked to name a premium automotive brand representing the United States, most people would likely mention Cadillac or Lincoln. These two brands have a long and storied history in the U.S., with their premium flagship sedans being especially famous. They have been trusted and used by many U.S. presidents.

However, the popularity of large flagship sedans is not what it used to be worldwide. This is reportedly due to a growing emphasis on practicality, making it difficult to find large, imported flagship sedans abroad and domestically. Let’s revisit Lincoln and Cadillac, the epitome of American luxury sedans, and take a closer look at these fading vehicles.

Low Demand for American Large Sedans
Steady Popularity in China

First up is the Cadillac CT6. Unlike the brand’s previous large sedans, the DTS and XTS, which were front-wheel drive, the CT6 was launched as a rear-wheel drive. After changing such a facelift, it first debuted in South Korea in 2016, and it even outsold its then-rival, the Lincoln Continental.

However, as previously mentioned, the CT6 was discontinued in 2020 due to the declining demand for large sedans in North America. It continues to be produced in China, with a steady demand for large luxury sedans. After the discontinuation of the CT6, the new electric Celestiq is expected to take its place.

The Continental, succeeded by the Lincoln Z
A Comparison with the CT6…

The Lincoln Continental was a formidable rival to the Cadillac CT6. The model has a deep history, produced from 1939 until 2023. It has always been one of the top vehicles mentioned in the history of American large sedans. However, due to declining demand for sedans, it was discontinued, and in China, the model was integrated into the Lincoln Z.

Let’s take a look at the specifications of both models. The Cadillac CT6 measures 205.8 inches in length, 74.4 inches in width, and 58-58.3 inches in height, with a 2.0L gasoline engine that produces 233 horsepower. The Lincoln Z measures 196.1 inches in length, 73.4 inches in width, and 58.5 inches in height, with a 2.0L gasoline engine that produces 238 horsepower. With the integration of the lineup, the Lincoln Z has become a midsize sedan, which is somewhat smaller than the Cadillac CT6. Other than that, there are no significant differences.

Hard to Find in Korea…
Clear Limitations of American Sedans

American sedans are not particularly popular in Korea. However, some prefer the unique comfort and sentimentality only American sedans can provide. Therefore, the discontinuation of these two models is all the more regrettable. While we can reasonably expect Cadillac to launch new models in Korea, the future of Lincoln is uncertain, as Ford has announced its withdrawal from the Korean market.

Despite their long history and proven performance, which have earned them much love domestically, American cars always struggle in foreign markets. We’ll conclude this article by briefly comparing and examining two flagship sedans from two luxury brands.