Within the section of luxurious automobiles, crossover utility automobiles are the brand new standout in America, and Cadillac has tried to stay related in such an area with new automobiles just like the Escalade and XT6 for many who have the necessity for a 3-row luxurious SUV. The newest Cadillac XT6 for the 2021 mannequin 12 months stays principally the identical apart from a pair modifications, such because the addition of wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Luxurious trim degree under the Premium Luxurious and Sport trims that sports activities a base-level 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
See Additionally: 2020 Cadillac XT6 Luxurious AWD Assessment & Check Drive
My check automobile for the week is a loaded-up XT6 Sport AWD that checks the entire bins for the huge checklist of choices for the midsized luxurious three-row crossover. The styling and general stature of the brand new XT6 within the Sport trim appears stylish but displays a touch of sportiness by means of a big darkened grill up entrance and tinted LED taillights out again. The 20-inch wheels full the look however don’t do a lot to impress on the sporty aspect – they’re essentially the most conservative-looking a part of the XT6 Sport package deal.
Powering the Cadillac XT6 is a well-known engine within the type of a shared V6 engine inside the GM household – their 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 that touts 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Energy is directed by means of a smooth-shifting 9-speed automated transmission that’s considerably gradual with its shifts however proves to be constant, and it limits pointless looking for the correct gear. Having all-wheel-drive eliminates entrance wheel spin, because the XT6 is a front-wheel-drive based mostly automobile. 60 mph ticks off in about 6.8 seconds, which is respectable however less than par with a few of its competitors, resembling the brand new Lincoln Aviator.
The gasoline mileage is constant but in addition doesn’t impress contemplating the horsepower ranking of the XT6 – once more, competitors has executed just a little higher. You’ll anticipate to get 18 mpg metropolis, 25 mpg freeway, and 21 mpg mixed, that are the EPA estimates that I used to be capable of almost match throughout my drives, solely falling 1 mpg quick on the Interstate touring 5 mph above the posted velocity restrict.
The Cadillac XT6 has been considerably of a compromise within the view of many once you pit it in opposition to new competitors, once more – resembling the brand new Lincoln Aviator. It simply doesn’t have the polish of the Aviator, and the cargo room behind the third-row of seats is comparatively small. General, the inside is as much as the Luxurious theme with just a few sporty features by means of the carbon fiber-looking trim and a number of other soft-touch areas with the anticipated stitching. Nothing actually stands out to impress, however the XT6 doesn’t essentially disappoint with its big range of options which can be discovered on my check automobile, resembling Evening imaginative and prescient, rear digicam mirror, and an exceptionally-smooth journey high quality because of its properly tuned adaptive dampers.
Cadillac’s quest to beat within the luxurious SUV and crossover section is healthier suited to the XT4 and Escalade. I do know that will sound unusual mentioning the compact-sized XT4, nevertheless it gives a bit extra “luxurious” when you possibly can add on options like massaging seats the place the XT6 doesn’t supply such.
In all, the XT6 is a good automobile and would get lots of reward from me if it weren’t for a few of its competitors, elevating the bar nicely out of attain of the XT6. The place potential consumers of the XT6 could get pleasure from such a purchase is in its pricing that barely undercuts others in the identical class the place it begins at a base value of $48,000 and reaching as a lot as $72,165 for my fully-loaded XT6 Sport AWD check automobile.