Since the 1920s mankind has been experimenting with autonomous driving. Nearly 60 years passed before the first real prototype with the technology was produced. Many more would debut just a little better than the last. Today autonomous driving has moved from the labs and test tracks to the roads and highways of the world. Lucky for me that I got to try out this hands-free driving technology behind the wheel of the 2018 Cadillac CT6 Platinum AWD.

Cadillac keeps its tradition of sophistication and class in the overall design of the CT6. Though it is smaller than its rivals, the CT6 makes up for its size with all of its styling detail and technology. Eye-grabbing vertical LED lights frame the classic grille. Distinctive lines and curves guide your eyes along the sleek body of the vehicle. The CT6 gives an elegance presence for a gorgeous vehicle.

Still excited about the exterior, I eagerly opened the door of the CT6 and was instantly impressed with the craftsmanship. Perforated stitching, wood accents, rich leather, the CT6 is luxury on 10! Comfort is paramount in the CT6. Front seats do everything imaginable from automatically heating and cooling based on inside cabin temperature to having 15 different massage settings to memorizing the seating preferences of driver and passenger. Rear seat passenger may also have the option of the massage setting and heating and cooling as well. Ample legroom and headroom is available in any seat. Space is also plentiful in the cargo area that can carry up to 6 carry-on size pieces of luggage in the area. Perfect for a road trip!

The quick responsive infotainment center cluster is fully loaded with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless phone charging, Navigation, real-time traffic and weather, and more displayed on a 10” color touchscreen. Operation can also occur on the touchpad located right behind the gear shift. In reverse mode, the screen will display three different camera views from a top view, front face, and surround view. I love the fact that it is equipped with a rear seat alert to remind the driver to check the backseat in case a little one is back there. Another nifty technology is the Teen Driver mode that allows parents to set things like audio volume, speed warnings and limits top speed to 85mph. It even turns the radio all the way off if front seat passengers are not belted in. Speaking of sound, the radio gives off clear crisp sound through the 34-speaker Bose Panaray audio system. A rear seat infotainment system is available with two pop-up screens in the headrests.

All of the elements make the Cadillac CT6 an amazing vehicle but the performance coupled with the Super Cruise gives it star quality. The CT6 is powered by a 3.0 L twin turbo direct injection engine with 404 horsepower 400 lb-ft of torque automatic start/stop. It is one of the rather quicker vehicles in the segment. Two other powertrains are available but if you like speed I suggest the twin turbocharged. Sharp steering and firm suspension account for the smoothness of the ride. Braking is extremely responsive. EPA estimates are 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

Safety features include blind spot alert, forward collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping alert, and auto braking. The front and rear cameras record and store driving experience on an SD card located in the trunk. (So you will have evidence if you ever needed for an accident of he said, she said.)

Now to talk about the entire point of this article, the Super Cruise. Cadillac introduces this hands-free driver assistance feature across the entire line by 2020 and will expand to other brands later. Cadillac is able to allow drivers to go hands-free use a system of cameras, Onstar, adaptive cruise control, precision light mapping, radar sensors, and GPS. Drivers can only use it when on freeways with on and off ramps. Engineers have driven 130,000 miles of limited-access freeways in the U.S. for this technology to work seamlessly. The hands-free driving has built in safety features of limited your speed to 85mph, freeway driving only, and making you stay alert.

After saying a prayer and building up my nerve I let go of the steering wheel to experience autonomous driving. It was the weirdest and coolest thing I had ever done. Surprisingly I actually felt safe doing this because although your hands are not on the wheel it doesn’t mean you can check out from the drive. The hands-free driving only works if you pay attention to the road. If your eyes ever dart from the road ahead a green light at the top of the steering wheel comes on. Do it again and a red light will flash. Continue to not pay attention and your seat will vibrate and a beep sound goes. Finally, a voice command will alert you to look at the road. Ignore all those warnings and you won’t be allowed to use the technology again until the car is restarted. Let’s say you ignore the alerts and warning due to a health problem. Cadillac has that covered as the vehicle will come to a stop, hazard lights will flash, and Onstar will alert medical professionals.

Above all else what is really cool about the Cadillac CT6 is that it is a full size luxury sedan with a modern look and feel and advance technology with a below average cost compare to others in its segment. The CT6 starts at $55,090 at the basic trim level and goes to $82,290 for the bells and whistles of the platinum trim like my test vehicle.

The Cadillac CT6 Platinum AWD is by far one of the coolest vehicles on four wheels on the road today. I highly suggest that you not walk but run to your local dealership to give this beauty a test drive and take it home. Find out more information via Cadillac.com.