2022 Cadillac XT6

Luxury midsize SUVs offer the promise of being the perfect jack-of-all-trades vehicles. They’re big enough for family, friends, pets and their myriad of accompanying gear, but still small enough to fit in the garage without a renovation. They offer the ability to tackle adventurous road trips and tow sports activity toys but also excel at mastering the demands of a traffic-filled commute. Cadillac was late to the game to meet the growing interest in this segment, but it introduced the midsize XT6 SUV in 2020 to satisfy that missing link between the compact XT4 and the full-size Escalade.

At 198.5 inches, the XT6 can seat six or seven across three rows, depending on the configuration, and still have room for an average amount of groceries or sporting equipment. 

Still in its first generation, the XT6 received primarily cosmetic changes for the 2022 model year, such as new available exterior colors (Latte Metallic and Rosewood Metallic), color-keyed floor mats for all seating rows, and Brembo front brakes with red front and rear calipers on the high-end Sport models.

Stacked against its competitors, the XT6 falls squarely in the middle of the pack. It’s neither as spacious nor flashy as the Lincoln Aviator nor sporty as the Acura MDX, and it’s not as plush as the XC90. But with a starting price just below $50,000, it’s hard to turn down a good bargain.

Available with either a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter V6, the XT6 is a competent road warrior, but it’s not particularly exhilarating or fuel-efficient. And unlike other popular cross-shopped models, the XT6 isn’t available with an electrified or hybrid powertrain. 

Offered in Luxury, Premium Luxury and Sport trims, buyers will find a solid list of standard features in all models. But like many high-ticket SUVs, buyers will likely need to add expensive packages to outfit their perfect ride, especially if head-turning style is the goal. Even with all the options, it’s not a show-stopper in any category, but as a whole, it offers a solid value for the premium midsize crossover segment.  

Performance: 10/15

As one of the U.S.’s icon brands, Cadillac is a storied name that inspires impressions of refined power. The midsize XT6 SUV may not be its best ambassador to represent that legacy, but it gets the job done. 

The XT6 is available with only two engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 235-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque in the base model, or a 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque found in the higher-grade Premium Luxury and performance-oriented Sport models. Both powerplants pair with a nine-speed automatic transmission; it’s capable of towing up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The V6 engine produced satisfying acceleration out of the gate, and the 4,441-pound crossover demonstrated agile performance at highway speeds. But it doesn’t feel particularly connected with the road around tight turns. However, four selectable drive modes are included with the available Platinum Package to help tune the performance and comfort balance and road conditions; making the modes more individually customizable would significantly improve this feature. That said, the Sport model features performance suspension and other mechanical tweaks that may deliver that tighter handling that the brand image promises, but the lower trimmed models lacked.

Fuel Economy: 7/15

Although fuel economy has been increasing over the past decade across the board, unless you’re buying an electrified or hybrid model, the luxury midsize SUV segment leaves lots of room for improvement.

The EPA estimates the Cadillac XT6 will return 23 mpg combined, 21 in the city and 27 on the highway when equipped with the base 2.0-liter turbocharged engine; adding AWD drops the city fuel economy by one mpg. The fuel economy falls further to 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway for models with the 3.0-liter V6 engine with FWD, while AWD-equipped vehicles see only 25 mpg on the highway. That’s about average for the class when fitted with conventional engines.

For example, the Acura MDX receives similar estimates from the EPA, with 17 to 19 mpg in the city and 21 to 26 highway when equipped with either a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6 or 355-hp V6, respectively. With its meaty 3.0-liter V6 engine, Lincoln Aviator drivers can expect that same fuel economy but with much more power. Similarly, the Volvo XC90 is estimated to achieve between 19 and 21 mpg city and 27 and 30 mpg highway, depending on engine size.

For the more eco-minded buyers, the Avaiior is also available as a hybrid that returns up to 56 mpge in combined driving and the XC90 with a plug-in hybrid powertrain for a very steep premium that advertises a 55 mpg-e when fully charged or 27 mpg when driven as a conventional hybrid. Unfortunately, electrified powertrains aren’t an option for the XT6, and its thirsty V6 engine fell a tad short of its EPA estimates returning a 20.3 mpg in its real-world test drive.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 14/15

Luxury brands have a reputation for nickel-and-diming buyers to acquire the safety equipment one would expect in a vehicle with a starting hovering around $50,000, but the Cadillac XT6 offers a lot of value in this category, not to mention a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA.

All models are equipped with the Cadillac Smart System, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, parking collision warning, rear seat reminder and teen driver controls, among other features.

However, adding adaptive cruise control and rear automatic emergency braking is only available as part of a $1,300 Driver Assistance Package. Additional optional advanced driver assistance tech, such as head-up display and rear pedestrian warning, is included in the $2,350 Technology Package; the optional night vision is a $2,000 upcharge.

Comfort & Room: 11/15

Although the interior of the Cadillac XT6 doesn’t quite meet the high expectations established by plush Escalade’s reputation, it doesn’t disappoint either. All models feature a sunroof that helps open up the cabin outfitted with standard faux-leather fabric and available with a range of sumptuous leather. 

The front seats are highly comfortable and supportive, with extendable leg cushions for taller passengers. Automatic heated front seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel (activated depending on the exterior temperature) are standard equipment, but the optional ventilated seats weren’t worth the noise generated for the negligible amount of cooling they provide. 

The second row can be equipped with dual captain’s chairs instead of a bench, and outboard heated seating is a $750 upgrade. The allure of third-row for the occasional extra passenger is raison d’etre of the midsize SUV. While the cabin is roomy enough for passengers to make their way to the rear-most seats, when they get there, they will find only 29.5 inches of room to stretch their legs back there, which is average for its segment, but less than the Volvo XC90 with 31.9-inches of space. 

During the test drive, the manually sliding second-row seats had to be in the forward-most position to provide enough space for a 5’6” passenger in the third row. In turn, this leaves very little wiggle room for even the smallest of passengers in the second row to exit the vehicle gracefully.

Infotainment: 14/15

Although digital cockpits are all the rage, the Cadillac XT6 keeps it real with an analog tachometer and speedometer and restrains the graphics to an 8-inch driver information screen nestled between them. Centered in the dash are a voice-controlled 8-inch touchscreen display, six USB ports, integrated apps and other features that are part of the Cadillac User Experience. I never found benefit in the customizable user profile, but I’m sure I’d appreciate the vehicle memorizing my preferences if I owned the car. 

Cadillac has upped its electronics game and has done a phenomenal job developing an infotainment system that’s feature-rich, easy to use, and compelling enough to make it preferable to using a smartphone. Sometimes. 

But that the XT6 is equipped with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto doesn’t make it easier to make the switch. While the optional OnStar service was once a responsive alternative to using personal devices, now it’s a laborious and slow automated system.

Wireless device charging is available for those who need it, but oddly enough, although there are two ports in each row, there isn’t a 120-volt charger for corded appliances. 

Cargo Space & Storage: 9/15

Cargo space is one of the main reasons people say they want an SUV, but with a full house, the Cadillac XT6 offers less storage capacity behind the third row than a Honda Civic.

With the third-row seats up, the XT6 has only 12.6 cubic feet of cargo area, which trails its competitive set. For comparison, the Aviator carves out 18.3 cubic feet of stowage behind the third row, and the XC90 makes 15.8 cubic feet of space available. However, the standard power-folding third row is a nice (but slow) feature for those who may have their hands full when loading the trunk. 

For the most part, buyers will probably have that third row folded flat, in which case its capacity rises to an ample 43.1 cubes. Of its competitors, only the MDX offers more space with 45.1 cubic feet in the cargo area. 

More forward in the cabin, the XT6 offers nice compartments for holding everyday items, such as an angled slot that prevents mobile phones from sliding around while driving (also doubles as the optional NFC wireless charging), and a passthrough under the console that can store a medium-sized bag. 

Style & Design: 7/10

Set on standard 18-inch wheels, the Cadillac XT6 is attractively styled with tight lines and restrained curves. It has a sporty stance that isn’t too aggressive or rugged, and the grille is unmistakably Cadillac, but it lacks the flashiness of the baller-class Escalade. To enhance its street presence, the Onyx package ($4,695) blacks out any metalwork down to the tailpipes, and the Radiant package ($3,995) does the exact opposite by brightening the grille and adding chrome wheels and illuminated sills. Admittedly, those packages are a steep price to make the vehicle turn heads, but buyers can individually add some of the more expressive features, such as the Cadillac crest puddle lamp ($285), a la carte. But even all dressed up, it still lacks the attention-demanding detailing of some of its more fashion-forward competitors. 

Is the Cadillac XT6 worth it? Which XT6 is the Best Value? 

The base Cadillac XT6 Luxury model has an attractive starting price of $49,990, including the $1,395 destination fee. But because safety is a top priority for many buyers shopping for a midsize SUV, they’ll need to upgrade to the Premium Luxury to get the full suite of advanced driver assistance systems that have become almost must-have features in premium vehicles. However, stepping up a trim increases the MSRP to $54,390, and that’s before adding the $1,300 Driver Assistance Package and $2,350 Technology Package. That upgrade adds more horsepower (but also higher fuel bills), 20-inch wheels, and other exterior improvements, such as bright finishes. And if buyers can be selective with additional exterior enhancements, they’ll get a very stylish, comfortable and well-equipped three-row SUV for under $60,000.  

How much does it cost to insure the 2022 Cadillac XT6?

Insurance rates for the XT6 fall in line with most of its competitive set. We expect a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record to end up with a premium of around $2,224. That compares to $2,280 for the Lincoln Aviator, $2,000 for an Acura MDX and $2,130 for a Volvo XC90. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.