2022 Cadillac XT6 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Our 2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury test vehicle arrived wearing polished 20-inch alloy wheels, Stellar Black paint, and a Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior. Getting in, we felt like a black suit and tie, crisp white shirt, and dark sunglasses would be appropriate to wear, ready to load luggage, open a rear door, and whisk someone famous off to the airport. “Hello, did you call for an Uber Black?”

The Cadillac XT6 is attractive, in a blandly inoffensive way. The towering front running lights taper inward as they drop toward the ground, making the XT6 look too tall and too narrow. Around back, the taillights are too similar to what GMC uses; simple vertical lights that don’t bleed into the liftgate would be better. But the XT6’s proportions, forms, and most details convey a conservatively tailored image that fits with the rest of the automaker’s lineup.

Cadillac sells the XT6 in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels, and prices in Canada start a little under $60,000 before the destination charge. The Caddy costs more than an Infiniti QX60, about the same as an Acura MDX, and less than a Lexus RX L and Lincoln Aviator. Roughly half of Jeep Grand Cherokee L models cost less than the XT6, while the rest cost more.

With options, Cadillac XT6 prices rise fast. Our test vehicle had almost everything on it, including Cadillac’s impressive Super Cruise and Night Vision technologies, and its Canadian new car Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $84,747 when you also tack on the $2,200 delivery charge. While that might seem a little nutty, a similarly optioned Volvo XC90 is about the same and a loaded Audi Q7 goes for an additional five grand. Considering the quality of the Cadillac’s interior materials and the sophistication of its driving assistance technology, it is priced right.

Unfortunately, the interior doesn’t look like it belongs in a luxury SUV that costs this much. We have no complaint with the rich materials that line the cabin of an XT6 Premium Luxury, or even how it smells inside. Visually, aside from the bronze-tinted carbon fibre dashboard trim, the XT6’s controls, displays, and overall layout could serve duty in any GM crossover SUV from the Chevy Equinox on up.

For example, the XT6 has analog gauges. Digital instrumentation is now expected in this segment. In addition, the touchscreen display measures 8 inches across and essentially runs the same software that you’ll find in the aforementioned Chevy. Don’t get us wrong; the tech is simple, intuitive, and offers terrific voice recognition capability, but there isn’t much sizzle to go with that steak, like what you find in the larger Cadillac Escalade.

In short, though our test vehicle was decadently trimmed, the XT6 Premium Luxury’s interior just didn’t look special or seem particularly different from other vehicles with lower price tags. It feels unexpectedly narrow, too, due to its relationship to the GMC Acadia instead of the Buick Enclave.

And this is one reason the XT6 reminds us of the Cadillac Cimarron.

Similarly, the Cadillac XT6 employs the same engines that you’ll find in the GMC Acadia. In standard specification, a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder delivers meager power specs of 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque to the XT6 Luxury’s wheels, driven by standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada, through a nine-speed automatic transmission. That’s less than what you’ll find in the base versions of the Audi Q7 and the Volvo XC90, which also have turbo-fours as standard equipment.

Bump up to Premium Luxury or Sport trim, and the XT6 employs the same tried-and-true 3.6-litre V6 engine that you’ll find in other GM crossovers. It makes 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, less than the upgrade powertrains in the Audi and Volvo, and it doesn’t benefit from turbocharging for that extra zing at lower engine revs.

Our test vehicle allowed us to choose to drive in front-wheel-drive (FWD) mode or AWD mode. Additionally, Tour and Sport driving modes were available.

The V6 is sufficiently powerful, and in FWD mode, it is easy to break the front wheels loose and experience torque steer. The engine sounds good, too, the Cadillac’s added layers of sound deadening and isolation filtering the drivetrain whine that we’ve experienced in other GM models with this engine.

Our test vehicle had an adaptive-damping performance suspension upgrade paired with the Premium Luxury model’s standard 20-inch wheels. For an extra $1,150, you can upgrade to 21-inch wheels with wider, lower-profile tires. While our test vehicle didn’t have the more aggressive tires, the XT6 proved remarkably athletic on a twisty mountain road, its behaviour lending credence to Cadillac’s decision to make Brembo brakes with red-painted calipers newly available for the 2022 XT6 Sport models. Plus, with these suspension components and the 20-inch wheels and tires, our XT6 effortlessly bounded over residential speed humps and soaked up shopping centre speed bumps with ease.

However, while the Cadillac XT6 is quick enough, isolated enough from unwanted noise, and unexpectedly competent with regard to driving dynamics, it’s not all that enjoyable to drive. Not that the Premium Luxury trim needs to be fun, but from the smooth and syrupy steering and responsive brakes to the quietly capable ride and handling qualities, the sensations lean toward serenity instead of cornering excitement. Except for the creaking and squeaking panoramic sunroof in the test vehicle, which had less than 6,500 kilometres on the odometer.

As far as fuel economy is concerned, the official Natural Resources Canada fuel-economy rating for the XT6 V6 is 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. On our testing route, with half driven in AWD and Tour mode and the other half driven in AWD and Sport mode, the XT6 Premium Luxury’s powertrain returned 12.0 L/100 km. If we had driven in FWD mode, the result likely would have been slightly lower.

Perhaps because of brand associations or the XT6’s position in the lineup, we expected this three-row SUV from Cadillac to be larger inside, more like a Buick Enclave. Instead, the vertical exterior lighting that makes the XT6 appear tall and narrow represents a preview of this SUV’s interior and driving position.

In front, the power-adjustable driver’s seat and passenger seat are comfortable, especially when wrapped in the optional semi-aniline leather. They’re heated and ventilated, too, but do not offer the same range of adjustment or a massage function as some of the XT6’s rivals. The power-adjustable steering wheel is heated, and its thick rim is pleasing to grip. In addition, the XT6’s triple-zone automatic climate control system blasts plenty of cold air on a hot summer day.

Our test vehicle had sliding second-row captain’s chairs. With the chairs in their rearmost position, the XT6 offers good legroom and decent foot room, but the third-row seat is uninhabitable for adults. Taller people in need of headroom can slide the second-row seats forward to their midway position and still squeeze in behind the front seats, making it possible for the XT6 to shuttle grumbling grown-ups relegated to the rearmost positions. They’ll need to be limber, too, because getting into the XT6’s third row is an exercise in acrobatics.

So, the XT6’s interior isn’t as roomy for people as a Buick Enclave’s, nor does it offer as much storage space. The cubby on the dashboard and bin under the centre armrest is small, and the tray under the console’s control “bridge” is impossible to see and difficult to access. Otherwise, storage space is decent if unremarkable.

Behind the third-row seat, the XT6 supplies 357 litres of cargo space. That’s not much, but there is a sizable storage compartment under the cargo load floor, and it’s a handy spot to load grocery bags. In the test vehicle, buttons power-fold the rear seats down to create a roomy 1,200-litre cargo area. The maximum volume measures 2,229 litres.

Technologically, the XT6 is a study in contrasts. It offers impressive features like a digital rearview mirror, a Night Vision system, and a Super Cruise hands-free highway driving-assistance system, but at the same time falls short with regard to the instrumentation, head-up display, and infotainment system.

If you’re cross-shopping the Cadillac XT6 with its competition, the first thing you’ll notice is that it doesn’t have digital gauges. Instead, you get round analog gauges separated by a driver information display. The display is large, looks good, and works well, but the setup isn’t nearly as sophisticated as what Cadillac’s rivals in this segment offer.

The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system is also behind the times in terms of its display size, but the software powering it is excellent. Furthermore, it comes with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services including access to a WiFi hotspot, and an available embedded navigation system. In particular, the intuitive natural voice recognition technology is terrific, providing quick and accurate responses to testing commands. However, you cannot control the climate system or the heated and ventilated seats using voice commands.

As satisfying as the infotainment system is to operate, there are some usability issues. First, Cadillac goes with gloss-black, touch-sensing buttons for several of the dashboard controls, which is reminiscent of its disastrous first-generation Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment systems. Second, orange illumination accompanies the activation of the seat ventilation system, which is counterintuitive. The indicator lights should be blue. Third, markings on the steering wheel buttons with metallic surface finishes are almost illegible during the day.

Since the XT6’s dashboard is devoid of knobs, you’ll find physical controls for the infotainment system on the SUV’s centre console, taking up space better reserved for storage. This is not uncommon, as a range of automakers employs the same practice. But given the available real estate on the dashboard, it is also unnecessary.

The XT6’s available Bose Performance Series premium audio system sounds great, and the digital rear camera dramatically improves the view to the rear of the SUV. However, the head-up display has a small viewing area and isn’t as impressive as what General Motors offers in some of its other vehicles.

Our XT6 test vehicle had every available driving-assistance and collision-avoidance system. The safety-feature list is a long one and includes the technologies you expect to find in any midsized luxury SUV plus some unusual features like Teen Driver (programmable settings with driving report card capability) and Night Vision. Standard feature highlights include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additionally, adaptive cruise control and a semi-autonomous park assist system are available.

However, the star of the show is the available Super Cruise system. This is a highway driving-assist system that allows a driver to let go of the steering wheel as long as the XT6 is traveling on an approved highway and the driver keeps their eyes on the road. A driver monitoring system can tell when a driver is not paying attention, and it does not hesitate to shut Super Cruise down if you attempt to flout the tech’s operational rules.

We used Super Cruise to travel numerous highways, and the technology impresses due to its sheer novelty, its remarkable capability, and the precision with which it can detect whether you’re on an approved road or in an exit lane to depart one. But it certainly isn’t infallible.

On certain highway curves with inconsistently painted lane markings, the XT6 wavered within its lane, coming perilously close to other motorists. Also, in heavy multi-lane traffic, our lane cleared, and the XT6 began accelerating back up to pre-set speed. But it was traveling too fast to account for people who might risk cutting into the open lane, and it couldn’t see around a curve where stopped vehicles awaited. So, we actively took full control because the tech’s behaviour was inappropriate for the situation.

In addition, Super Cruise does not brake as smoothly or consistently as a human driver when trying to maintain a proper following distance to vehicles ahead, and on one occasion, it continued accelerating when another motorist was moving into our lane. Until the other vehicle was nearly dead-centre ahead of the Cadillac, Super Cruise could not “see” it. And when it finally did “see” the other vehicle, it braked suddenly and too hard.

Lastly, while driving directly into the afternoon sun, on concrete where the lane markings were difficult for us to see, Super Cruise simply could not overcome the challenge. And when Super Cruise decides it’s time for you to drive, the deactivation hand-off process happens fast. Like, right now. You get a red bar on the steering wheel, a notification in the driver information centre, and then it disengages. So you need to be ready to take control at any time.

Please do not misunderstand us: Super Cruise is a worthy technological achievement. However, it also demonstrates that this technology has a very long way to go. And remember, we were testing under sunny skies and on reasonably well-maintained road surfaces. Rain, snow, ice, and holes in or objects on the road remain unsolved challenges for self-driving tech, let alone the situations we encountered.

Finally, you should know that if the XT6 can’t avoid a collision, it does a good job of protecting its driver and passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 2023 XT6 a Top Safety Pick+ safety rating. Furthermore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives this Cadillac five-star ratings in every crash-test evaluation, plus a commendable four-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2023 Cadillac XT6 is neither the most affordable nor the most expensive vehicle in its class. With top-end Acura MDXs and Volvo XC90s climbing above $75,000, it’s clear that the midsize, three-row luxury SUV segment has moved higher in terms of price ranges. And if you skip Night Vision and Super Cruise, the XT6 Premium Luxury’s price drops more appropriately into the high-60K to low-70K range.

Nevertheless, the XT6 strikes us as a stop-gap product designed to get Cadillac from the somewhat incoherent product strategy defining its recent past to the fully electrified future that awaits the brand in the years ahead. It exists solely to retain customers who want seven-passenger seating and a good amount of cargo space but who don’t want or can’t afford the Escalade.

Fortunately, though this situation reminds us of the Cimarron, the XT6 is better than that horrible little car. Only the XT6’s mission appears to be similar. Nevertheless, you may want to consider the competition before settling on this Caddy.

Note: Images show a US model.