2021 Cadillac XT6 Review

　　

2021 Cadillac XT6 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　In years past picking a Cadillac SUV was pretty simple. You had the Escalade, the even bigger Escalade ESV and, well, that's it. But recently Cadillac has expanded its lineup with new models. One of them is the XT6 that debuted last year.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Cadillac XT6 Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$199/mo  for XT6 Luxury

　　XT6 Luxury

　　Luxury 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $47,995 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $49,995 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV (3.6L 6cyl 9A) (Most Popular) - $52,795 MSRPPremium Luxury 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $54,795 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (3.6L 6cyl 9A) - $57,195 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The 2021 XT6 is a three-row crossover SUV that's meant to rival luxury SUVs such as the Acura MDX, Audi Q7 and Lincoln Aviator. Whereas the Escalade remains a truck-based SUV powered by a thirsty V8, the XT6 is smaller and lighter and has either a four-cylinder engine or a V6 under the hood. The four-cylinder is new for 2021 and is only available on the also new-for-2021 base Luxury trim level.

　　We like the XT6's roomy and quiet interior, but a variety of other drawbacks keep it from being a prime choice for a three-row luxury SUV. Check out our detailed XT6 Expert Rating to learn more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.3

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the XT6 drive? The XT6's 3.6-liter V6 engine propels the XT6 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, which is sufficient for a vehicle of this size but a fair bit behind the segment leaders. Oddly, the all-wheel-drive system doesn't engage automatically, so you have to switch it on manually when you think you need it.

　　Other disappointing driving traits include torque steer — that's when the steering wheel pulls to one side when you mash the gas — and tricky low-speed drivability because of an overly sensitive gas pedal. Also, the front chin spoiler, which helps with aerodynamics, scrapes on some driveways — a sign that you'll want to avoid off-roading.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the XT6? The fairly comfortable front seats have effective heating and cooling functions but lack some adjustability. Lumbar support is only adjustable two ways, for instance, and there's no thigh cushion extension for those long of leg. The reclinable second-row captain's chairs are relatively comfy but nothing special. As for ride comfort, our test XT6 Sport did a good job of softening hard road impacts but didn't control well the residual up-and-down body motions that followed. This trait could be a problem for motion-sensitive rear passengers.

　　The automatic climate control system works well and responds immediately to your temperature demands, though the primary controls are split between physical buttons and the touchscreen, which is never really optimal. However, the cabin is pretty well insulated from sound. The XT6 isn't as quiet as an Audi Q7, but it's quieter than many luxury SUVs.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Cadillac decided to add a rotary controller to complement its touchscreen interface at a time when most other automakers are getting rid of them. We applaud this decision, but some of the remaining touch-sensitive controls are finicky to use.

　　Entering and exiting is a breeze thanks to squared-off door openings and a low stepover height. Even crawling into the third row is pretty easy if you get the second-row captain's chairs. Once you're in, there's a pretty good amount of room in all rows. Visibility is good all around and is aided by low-mounted side mirrors and an optional surround-view parking camera system.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The optional Bose audio system has enough output to let you really bump up your tunes with decent sound clarity. Unlike some weaker competitor systems, this one sounds loud at even half the volume. The native navigation responds to natural language and is fairly easy to use. For those who prefer their smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and there is no shortage of charge options. (We counted six USBs plus a wireless phone charger in our test XT6.)

　　We generally like the XT6's driving aids. Adaptive cruise works well, but the lane keeping system is more of a prevention aid than an active centering aid. Don't bother getting the expensive Night Vision option because it doesn't work very well.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Power flat-folding third-row seats are always nice to have, especially if they work quickly, as they do in the XT6. There are controls both at the cargo hatch and the rear passenger door, which is convenient. The cargo area's liftover height is a bit high, and storage behind the third-row seats, at 12.6 cubic feet, is below average. Max cargo capacity is a more appropriate-for-the-class 78.7 cubic feet.

　　Small-item storage in the cabin is also average. Others in the class offer more clever solutions. We had trouble finding space for sunglasses, for instance. And the upper tray under the armrest is a bit cumbersome to remove, especially if you have the USB cables plugged in. For family duty, the XT6 offers sufficient space in the second row to fit a large rear-facing car seat behind the driver.

　　Properly equipped, the XT6 can tow up to 4,000 pounds. This is enough for a small trailer, but most other three-row luxury SUVs can pull 5,000 pounds or more.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The XT6 is estimated to return 22 mpg combined (17 city/24 highway), which is about where most of the competition falls. We achieved an average of 22.6 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, which is in line with our expectations, and possibly an indication that the XT6 should match its window sticker targets.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the XT6 a good value? The XT6 from a value standpoint is sadly less than the sum of its parts. The interior cabin materials are actually quite nice, but the execution of how those materials are put together is lacking. This cabin doesn't quite meet the level of sophistication of other competitors at this price, or even competitors that are thousands of dollars cheaper. Cadillac's MSRP seems too much for what you get. Many competitors have more to offer, whether it's lower cost or better luxury.

　　Cadillac offers a better powertrain warranty than the Europeans, and its roadside assistance coverage is better than most others. It also offers one year of free scheduled maintenance, which is a small plus.

　　

Wildcard

7.0/10

　　We dig the XT6's styling overall and its instant recognizability as a Cadillac. The interior design is also cohesive and works with the underlying design, but it doesn't feel as upscale as others, especially at this price. Where this XT6 mostly loses us is the driving experience. At times we thought to engage the all-wheel-drive system full time just to get rid of the torque-steer issue, but that would come at the unnecessary cost of fuel efficiency. That probably detracts the most from the luxury experience.

　　

Which XT6 does zzdcar recommend?

The new Luxury trim is tempting because of its significantly lower price than the next trim up, the Premium Luxury. However, it has the new four-cylinder engine, which might not have enough grunt if you're frequently taking along a lot of passengers and cargo. Cadillac also limits the number of options you can get. As such, the Premium Luxury is our pick for most XT6 buyers.

　　

2021 Cadillac XT6 models

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 is a three-row midsize SUV that seats six or seven passengers. It's available in three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport. The Luxury trim comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (237 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque). All other XT6s get a 3.6-liter V6 (310 hp, 271 lb-ft).

　　Luxury

　　This base trim's feature highlights include:

　　18-inch wheels Nine-speed automatic transmission Front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive Sunroof Roof rails Power liftgate Remote ignition Tri-zone automatic climate control Second-row bench seat (seven-passenger configuration) Heated front seats 8-inch infotainment display Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Eight-speaker Bose audio system Six USB ports Onboard Wi-Fi hotspotEvery XT6 also comes with:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane keeping assist (steers the XT6 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Front and rear parking sensorsPremium Luxury

　　The midtier trim is eligible for several options and also adds more standard features:

　　20-inch wheels Hands-free liftgate Power-folding mirrors Rain-sensing wipers Power-adjustable steering column Heated steering wheel Wireless charging pad Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)Sport

　　This trim tops off the standard features list with:

　　Unique styling treatments Adaptive sport suspension Standard sport-tuned all-wheel drive Bundled option packages are limited to the Premium Luxury and Sport trims and include:

　　Platinum package

　　The Sport's adaptive sport suspension Premium leather upholstery Simulated suede headlinerDriver Assist package

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the XT6 and the car in front) Enhanced forward collision mitigation system Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)Enhanced Visibility and Technology package

　　Digital gauge cluster display Head-up display Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the XT6 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)Many stand-alone options are also available for the top two trims and include:

　　Second-row captain's chairs (reducing capacity to six passengers) Ventilated front seats Heated outboard rear seats Navigation system Night vision system 14-speaker premium audio system Dual-screen rear entertainment system Wired tow hitch and added rear camera views

　　

2021 XT6 Highlights

Trim: LuxuryPremium LuxurySportLuxury

　　

Base MSRP	$47,995
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$199/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles