Cadillac XT6 2022: Luxury midsize SUVs promise that they are the ideal all-around. Though large enough to accommodate guests, family, pets, and all their accessories, they are compact enough to fit in the garage without requiring remodeling. They can tow sports activity items and go on exciting road vacations but also thrive at handling the rigors of a congested commute. Cadillac launched the midsize XT6 SUV in 2020 to fill the gap between the full-size Escalade and the tiny XT4, despite its delay in responding to the increased desire in this class.
Depending on the arrangement, the 198.5-inch-long XT6 may accommodate seven or six people in three rows while still having enough space for a typical quantity of groceries or athletic goods.
For the 2022 model year, the XT6, which is still in its first generation, got primarily cosmetic updates, including new exterior colors that are available (Latte Metallic and Rosewood Metallic), color-keyed floor mats for every seating row, and Brembo front brakes with red front and rear calipers on the top-tier Sport models.
The XT6 is precisely in the pack’s center compared to its rivals. It is neither as luxurious as the XC90 nor as roomy or eye-catching as the Lincoln Aviator or as athletic as the Acura MDX. However, the beginning price is less than $50,000, so passing up a decent deal is challenging.
Although the XT6 is a capable road fighter, neither its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder base engine nor its 3.0-liter V6 make it thrilling or fuel-efficient. An electric or hybrid drivetrain is not an option for the XT6, unlike other well-liked cross-shopped vehicles.
All versions available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims come with a good list of standard equipment. However, like many costly SUVs, customers will probably need to add pricey packages to furnish their ideal vehicle—especially if the objective is to turn heads. It’s hardly a show-stopper in any area, even with all the extras, but overall, it provides good value for the premium midsize crossover market.
Performance: Cadillac XT6 2022
Cadillac is a legendary brand that evokes images of elegant strength and is one of the iconic brands in the United States. Its finest representative of that heritage may not be the midsize XT6 SUV, but it does the job well enough.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder base model’s 235 horsepower and 258 pounds of torque make it the only engine available for the XT6. In comparison, the 3.6-liter V6 engine in the sporty and premium Luxury models has 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. When properly outfitted, the nine-speed automatic gearbox with both powerplants can tow up to 4,000 pounds.
The 4,441-pound crossover displayed nimble handling at highway speeds, and the V6 engine offered gratifying acceleration right out of the gate. However, it doesn’t seem connected to the road at sharp curves. To assist in adjusting the performance, comfort, balance, and road conditions, the Platinum Package has four selectable driving modes; nevertheless, enhancing the individual customization of the modes will significantly strengthen this function. The Sport model had a performance suspension system and other technical changes that may provide the tighter handling that the brand image purports to provide, but the less expensive versions did not.
Fuel Efficiency: Cadillac XT6 2022
While overall fuel efficiency has increased over the last ten years, there is still much space for improvement in the luxury midsize SUV market—unless you purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle.
When using the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Cadillac XT6 is expected to get 23 mpg combined, 21 mpg in the city, and 27 mpg on the highway; adding AWD reduces the vehicle’s fuel efficiency by one mpg. For cars with the 3.0-liter V6 engine and FWD, the combined fuel efficiency drops even further to 21 mpg in 18 cities and 26 highways; AWD-equipped vehicles only manage 25 mpg on the road. For the class, it is approximately average when equipped with traditional engines.
For instance, the EPA forecasts that the Acura MDX outfitted with a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 or a 355-hp V6, would get 17 to 19 mpg in the city and 21 to 26 mpg on the interstate. Drivers of Lincoln Aviators may anticipate the same fuel efficiency but with much greater power thanks to the robust 3.0-liter V6 engine. Similarly, depending on engine size, the Volvo XC90 is predicted to get between 19 and 21 mpg in the city and 27 and 30 mpg on the interstate.
For consumers who care about the environment, there is also the Avaior, which can get up to 56 mpg in combined driving, and the XC90, which can achieve up to 27 mpg when driven as a conventional hybrid or 55 mpg-e when fully charged, but comes at a high premium with a plug-in hybrid engine. Sadly, the XT6 lacks electric powertrain options. In its real-world test drive, the car’s thirsty V6 engine managed only 20.3 mpg, somewhat less than the EPA’s predicted mileage.
Tech for Safety and Driver Assistance:
Not to mention that it has a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, the Cadillac XT6 offers a lot of value in this category. Luxury brands are known for nickel and diming buyers to acquire the safety equipment one would expect in a vehicle with a starting hovering around $50,000.
The Cadillac Smart System is standard on all models. It has several features like lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, parking collision warning, rear seat reminder, and teen driver control. It also includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
However, a $1,300 Driver Assistance Package is the only way to add adaptive cruise control and rear automated emergency braking. The $2,350 Technology Package includes further optional advanced driver aid technology, such as rear pedestrian alert and head-up display; night vision costs an additional $2,000.
Coziness & Space:Cadillac XT6 2022
The luxurious Escalade’s reputation has raised high expectations for the Cadillac XT6, and although it falls short of those aspirations, the interior still impresses. Every model has a sunroof that opens up the interior. It comes standard with faux-leather upholstery and is optional with various opulent leathers.
Taller passengers will appreciate the supportive and comfy front seats with extensible leg cushions. The basic features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and automatic heated front seats that activate based on the outside temperature. However, the optional ventilated seats didn’t justify the noise they produced for the little cooling effect they provide.
Instead of a bench in the second row, two captain’s chairs may be added, and an outboard heated seat upgrade costs $750. The appeal of the third row for the occasional additional passenger is the midsize SUV’s primary selling point. Although the inside is spacious enough for occupants to walk to the backseat, there are just 29.5 inches of legroom available there, which is typical for the class but less than the Volvo XC90’s 31.9 inches of space.
To accommodate a passenger who is 5’6″ in height in the third row, the manually sliding second-row seats had to be in the forward-most position throughout the test drive. Consequently, this leaves little space for even the tiniest people in the second row to depart the car politely.
Infotainment: Cadillac XT6 2022
Despite the current trend of digital cockpits, the Cadillac XT6 maintains a traditional feel with its analog speedometer and tachometer, limiting the graphics to an 8-inch driver information screen located in between. Six USB ports, an integrated app store, an 8-inch voice-activated touchscreen display, and other Cadillac User Experience amenities are centered in the dash. The user profile customization feature never appealed to me, but if I owned the car, I would value it, remembering my preferences.
Cadillac has improved its electronics game and created an infotainment system that is so feature-rich, intuitive, and captivating that it occasionally surpasses smartphone use.
However, the fact that the XT6 has standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay doesn’t simplify the transition. The optional OnStar service is now a tedious and sluggish automated system, although it was once a responsive substitute for utilizing personal gadgets.
For those who want it, wireless device charging is offered; strangely, despite each row having two ports, there isn’t a 120-volt charger for corded appliances.
Storage & Cargo Space:
One of the primary reasons people claim they want an SUV is cargo space; however, the Cadillac XT6 has less room than a Honda Civic for storage behind the third row when a family is present.
The XT6’s load capacity, when the third row is folded down, is just 12.6 cubic feet, less than that of its rivals. Comparatively, the XC90 provides 15.8 cubic feet of room behind the third row, while the Aviator creates 18.3 cubic feet. However, the standard power-folding third row is a valid (albeit sluggish) feature for those who may have their hands full while filling the trunk.
Customers will likely have the third row folded flat, increasing the capacity to 43.1 cubes. Only the MDX, with a cargo size of 45.1 cubic feet, provides more room than its rivals.
The XT6 has suitable storage spaces further front in the cabin, including an angled slot that keeps phones from sliding around while driving and serves as an optional NFC wireless charger. There is also a passthrough under the console that can accommodate a medium-sized backpack.
Design: Cadillac XT6 2022
The Cadillac XT6 has a sleek appearance with controlled curves and precise lines. It is mounted on standard 18-inch wheels. It lacks the glitz of the baller-class Escalade, but it still has a sporty posture that isn’t too aggressive or tough, and the grille is distinctly Cadillac. The Radiant option ($3,995) brightens the grille and adds chrome wheels and lit sills, while the Onyx package ($4,695) completely blacks off all metalwork down to the tailpipes to improve its street appearance. Although those packages are pricey to make the car stand out, customers may independently add some of the most eye-catching elements, such as the Cadillac crest puddle light ($285), on an as-needed basis. However, while dressed up, it still lacks some of its more fashion-forward rivals’ attention-grabbing embellishments.
Is the Cadillac XT6 2022 worth it?
The introductory price of the Cadillac XT6 Luxury variant, which includes the $1,395 destination charge, is an appealing $49,990. However, as many consumers prioritize safety when choosing a midsize SUV, they must upgrade to the Premium Luxury model to get the whole suite of cutting-edge driver-aid systems, which are now practically required in high-end cars. Moving up a trim level, however, brings the MSRP to $54,390, and that’s before you add the $2,350 Technology Package and the $1,300 Driver Assistance Package. Twenty-inch wheels, greater horsepower (but therefore more fuel expenses), and other cosmetic enhancements like flashy finishes are also part of that upgrade. Additionally, for less than $60,000, purchasers who are picky about their outside upgrades may get a fashionable, cozy, and well-equipped three-row SUV.
What is the cost of insurance for the Cadillac XT6 2022?
The XT6’s insurance costs are comparable to most of its rivals. A typical 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record should pay around $2,224 in premiums. In contrast, the Lincoln Aviator costs $2,280, the Acura MDX costs $2,000, and the Volvo XC90 costs $2,130.
Cadillac XT6 Generations
First Generation
2020 to Present
Cadillac said the XT6, a brand-new, three-row, full-size crossover SUV, will be produced in 2019. In June 2019, the 2020 Cadillac XT6 went up for sale. A new four-cylinder turbocharged engine and a new basic “Luxury” trim were introduced in 2021.
Verdict
The Cadillac XT6 of 2022 successfully balances performance, elegance, and utility. Its appearance is bright without being fussy, athletic, too aggressive, and urban and trendy without being overly dazzling. It’s a Goldilocks-type midsize SUV that will satisfy every need for a customer seeking a luxurious, spacious, three-row SUV. However, it still lacks the unique characteristics to persuade consumers to choose this midsize luxury crossover over closely related rivals. That may be the message some drivers want to make, but as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with a five-star NHTSA crash test rating and a starting price of around $50,000, it’s a decent value and wise pick for its class.
