Cadillac’s three-row XT6 SUV hasn’t actually undergone any vital adjustments because it debuted as a 2020 mannequin. Energy selections are both a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (launched as the bottom engine for the 2021 mannequin) or 3.6-liter V-6, each paired to a nine-speed automated transmission, and consumers can select from both front- or all-wheel drive. We lately drove a V-6-powered 2022 XT6 Premium Luxurious, the mannequin’s most luxurious trim, to see the way it stacks up a couple of years after our preliminary drive. Apart from real sticker shock in response to our check automobile’s almost $71,000 worth, the XT6 didn’t go away a lot of an impression amongst our 4 editors who drove it.
Associated: Finest Luxurious Automotive of 2022
Driving the XT6
With the 310-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 underneath the hood, this XT6 is essentially the most highly effective out there within the lineup, however we’ve been clamoring for a extra highly effective engine possibility for the reason that XT6 debuted. We’re nonetheless ready. There’s ample energy, definitely, and the nine-speed automated does a superb job of kicking down when referred to as upon, however there actually isn’t a lot happening from any form of efficiency perspective. Managing Editor Joe Bruzek referred to as the expertise “pedestrian,” and I’m inclined to agree; underneath onerous acceleration, the V-6 may be loud and unrefined, unbecoming of a luxurious SUV.
Journey and dealing with aren’t rather more fascinating, both. “Journey high quality is comfort-oriented total even with the 20-inch wheels and tires on our check automobile,” in keeping with Senior Analysis Editor Mike Hanley. “Our XT6 additionally had the Platinum Bundle, which incorporates an adaptive suspension. Particularly tough pavement disturbs the sense of calm within the cabin, however for essentially the most half, the XT6’s trip high quality consists and refined. The XT6 doesn’t care a lot for corners, although, and the motive force’s seat doesn’t have a lot facet bolstering to maintain you in place.”
For those who’re on the lookout for a snug, calm trip from A to B — and that’s not a nasty factor — the XT6 has what you search in spades. However in order for you even a splash of pleasure or a drop of sizzling sauce together with your meal, look elsewhere. It’s onerous to discover a actually enjoyable three-row SUV, however the Acura MDX drives effectively, and the Genesis GV80’s twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 supplies extra energy than the XT6’s naturally aspirated one.
Luxurious Supplies, Aged Tech Inside
Hanley felt the XT6’s inside delivered on its luxurious promise, although third-row passengers get shorted.
“The Platinum Bundle wraps the inside in wealthy supplies like semi-aniline leather-based upholstery and a microfiber headliner, which joins swaths of wooden trim. The premium supplies are befitting our XT6’s premium price ticket, and so they carry by to the second row. Trim high quality drops a bit within the third row, the place there’s extra onerous plastic surfaces.”
“Whereas competent and of first rate high quality for the value (base worth, right here), the inside was stylistically uninteresting,” countered Bruzek. “I do know this will get right into a grey space of subjectivity, however the colours, type and supplies had been all very bland and conventional. And that’s considerably of a bummer contemplating the outside’s aggressive and muscular styling.”
I’ve had comparable points with different Cadillac interiors, and so they proceed right here; it could be good inside, however it left me and Bruzek unimpressed. And lest you suppose Cadillac interiors can’t impress us, the bigger Escalade’s inside is a key purpose it’s a repeat winner of our Luxurious Automotive of the Yr award.
Inside tech was additionally a sore spot. An 8-inch touchscreen show was as soon as a powerful piece of expertise, however it appeared small and dated to each me and Hanley. “The XT6’s tech options appear particularly far behind what’s within the Escalade full-size SUV,” in keeping with Hanley. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are nice-to-have options, nonetheless, and in contrast to in lots of different automobiles, I by no means had points with the XT6’s wi-fi telephone charger retaining my iPhone 12 charged whereas in its case. The sleeve-style charger could be very efficient, if a bit awkwardly designed.
We had blended emotions in regards to the XT6’s head-up show, too. Whereas we had been followers of the knowledge displayed and that it remained seen whereas carrying polarized sun shades, Bruzek famous “the light-colored dashboard mirrored on the windshield, making the HUD seem like a large black sq. on the windshield. The distinction of the HUD in opposition to the sunshine dashboard shade was very distracting. Answer: Select a darker inside shade.”
The XT6’s third row isn’t roomy sufficient for adults, although the out there USB-C ports are a pleasant contact. The 2-seat third row could also be higher left folded down for added cargo area; Hanley identified that “the third-row backrest is powered in Premium Luxurious trims, which makes switching from further passenger to further cargo obligation simple.”
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Sticker Shock
Whereas Hanley identified that the inside supplies matched our XT6’s worth, that $70,965 price ticket is an excessive amount of to swallow when contemplating the automobile on an entire.
“I believed this is able to have been a reliable automobile at $60,000,” famous Bruzek, “however the $70,000 asking worth of our check automobile put it within the ‘nope’ class fairly simply.” Vehicles.com’s nationwide stock confirmed new 2022 XT6s with a median itemizing worth of $59,891 in February. Our check automobile got here with seemingly each possibility — $14,775 in whole, together with the $5,000 Platinum bundle, $2,350 Know-how Bundle and extra. Choices add up rapidly.
It’s additionally price noting that at greater than $70,000 as outfitted, our XT6 was near the beginning worth of its Escalade large brother. Whether or not that closeness truly exists in immediately’s market is a distinct matter — as of this writing, the median worth for a 2022 Escalade Luxurious on Vehicles.com is at present $81,515 — however a base Escalade is likely to be extra interesting than a loaded XT6. Even should you’re not contemplating a bigger (and costlier) SUV, the XT6 isn’t a really thrilling or fascinating selection — and that appears to be intentional on Cadillac’s half.
After we first drove the XT6, we referred to as it “unremarkable” earlier than we deemed it “adequate.” With so little altered since 2020, the primary conclusion nonetheless holds: The XT6 is a completely unremarkable SUV, However in simply its third 12 months, it’s not likely “adequate” anymore, not in a rising section with such sturdy competitors.
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