2021 Cadillac XT6

Overview

Cadillac introduced the mid-size XT6 three-row crossover last year to bridge the gap between the compact XT5 and full-size Escalade.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

For its second year on the market, the XT6 adds a new entry-level Luxury trim level powered by a 2.0L turbo engine.

Available Trims

Luxury joins Premium Luxury and Sport trims. The new Luxury trim also introduces Cadillac’s 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine to the XT6 range. As before, Premium Luxury and Sport are standard with a 3.6L V6 engine, a nine-speed transmission and AWD.

Standard Features

The XT6 range starts with the new Luxury trim level. Its exterior is dressed in 18-inch wheels, heated side mirrors, chrome door handles, front cornering lights, roof rails, auto on/off LED headlights with automatic high beams, LED daytime running lights, a power tailgate, sunroof, and a rear spoiler.

Inside, the XT6 comes with a Wi-Fi hotspot, power heated front seats, seven-passenger configuration, an eight-speaker stereo with satellite radio, an 8.0-inch infotainment display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, three-zone automatic A/C, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

Safety items include a following distance indicator, forward collision alert with pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, and front and rear park assist.

Premium Luxury trim adds the 3.6L V6 engine, 20-inch wheels and tires, auto-dimming side mirrors, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, a hands-free tailgate, rain-sensing wipers, front-seat power lumbar, a security system, a heated steering wheel, blind spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross traffic alert, perforated leather seat inserts, accent lighting, a power-adjustable steering column, and wireless smartphone charging.

Sport trim also builds on the Luxury model with most of the same features as Premium Luxury. It also gets trim-specific 20-inch wheels, body-colour door handles, black roof rails, a heavy-duty cooling system, and performance-tuned suspension and AWD system.

Key Options

There’s a driver assist package for Sport and Premium Luxury models that adds adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking.

An enhanced visibility and tech package bundles an 8.0-inch digital gauge display, a head-up display, rear camera mirror, surround vision recorder, rear pedestrian alert, and automatic parking assist.

A navigation pack comprises that feature, a 14-speaker stereo, six USB ports, and wireless smartphone integration.

Cadillac also offers a six-seat interior, night vision, and various ways to upgrade the XT6’s upholstery to leather.

Fuel Economy

Cadillac’s fuel consumption estimates for the XT6 are 11.2/9.0 with the 2.0L engine, and 13.1/9.5 in V6-powered models.

Competition

It’s an understatement to say the XT6 plays in a competitive segment – the market for mid-range upscale crossovers is a big deal right now. With this vehicle, Cadillac hopes to attract buyers away from German models like the BMW X5, the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz’s GLS. Other European competitors are the Volvo XC90, the Jaguar F-Pace, and Porsche’s Cayenne.

Asian automakers send the Genesis GV80, Acura’s MDX, and the Lexus RX.

The other domestic players in this field are Lincoln’s Nautilus and Buick’s Enclave.