Used 2020 Cadillac XT6

#15 in Best Midsize Luxury SUVs of 2020

With the all-new 2020 Cadillac XT6, GM’s luxury division has finally plugged the gap between its 2-row XT5 crossover SUV and its full-size body-on-frame 3-row Escalade SUV. This all-new vehicle, which is built off the same architecture as the GMC Acadia, is offered in front- and all-wheel-drive (FWD, AWD) variants with two different trim levels that offer plenty of visual and dynamic differentiation.

The two principal trim levels offered on the new Cadillac SUV are Premium Luxury and Sport. The former emphasizes a more traditional approach to luxury, with more brightwork, luxury-oriented materials, and a smooth ride, while the latter concentrates on sportier looks and handling.

With a starting price just under $53,000, the XT6 is competitively priced, although it does lag behind the Lincoln Aviator, Infiniti QX60 and Audi Q7in the areas of horsepower, towing and cargo space.

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Cadillac has delivered on the promised difference in the driving dynamics between its Premium Luxury and Sport models. Both models share the same 3.6-liter normally aspirated V6 producing 310 horsepower. The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, and Cadillac says the combination is good for 0-60-mph acceleration of 6.9 seconds.

The Premium Luxury model comes in front drive with the option of AWD and offers three drive modes: Tour, Snow/Ice and Sport. The Sport model, which comes only in all-wheel drive, has quicker steering, electronically controlled twin clutches on the rear-drive module for torque vectoring, a sport-tuned active-chassis-damping system, sport calibration on the transmission, 21-inch wheels, and heavy-duty powertrain cooling. It has a much livelier feel, with sharper turn-in and a tauter suspension. This greater agility doesn’t come at the expense of ride comfort, however.

In addition to Tour and full-time AWD settings, there are also Sport and Off Road modes on the drive-select system. The Sport mode also tightens the steering response, raises transmission shift points, stiffens the suspension response, and engages the active yaw control. Off Road lessens throttle gain for better control at low speeds, backs off the traction and stability control for more wheelslip, and adds more rear torque bias.

There’s plenty of Cadillac’s well-established styling inside the 2020 XT6, but for a luxury car, it feels a bit generic. All the prerequisite details are here, semi-aniline leather, rich woods and soft-touch materials everywhere. However, when compared to the interiors in luxury rivals like the Lincoln Aviator, Audi Q7 or Mercedes-Benz GLS, the XT6 just doesn’t thrill.

Comfort, on the other hand, is here in abundance, with available heated and ventilated front seats, a roomy 3rd-row seat and numerous must-haves like wireless phone charging, 2nd-row captain’s-chair seating and an amazing 14-speaker Bose audio system upgrade. Analog gauges dominate the instrument cluster, while a large touch screen is positioned within easy reach in the center of the dash. Below the screen there are additional controls for the heat/vent/air-conditioning system.

The all-new XT6 shares design cues with its crossover-SUV counterparts, the XT4 and XT5, with the familiar shield-shaped grille, horizontal headlight units beneath the hood’s leading edge and vertical LED daytime running lights that frame auxiliary front inlets. Because of its 3-row configuration, the XT6 has a more upright greenhouse to accommodate the rear-row passengers, while the XT4 and XT5 have a more aggressively raked C-pillar.

The Premium Luxury model has a bright Galvano grille surround with matching brightwork elements in the grille texture, satin-finish wheels, and chrome accents around the windows and in the rocker panel. Sport models have a black mesh-texture grille as well as darker body-side and window moldings along with tinted neutral density lenses on the rear lights.

REAR CAMERA MIRROR WASHER
It may seem like a little thing, but how many times have you placed your car in reverse only to find the rear camera lens is coated in dirt or snow? The XT6’s rear camera mirror eliminates this issue with a clever spray washer nozzle located next to the lens.

NIGHT VISION CAMERA
Using infrared sensors, the Night Vision system looks for objects with a heat signature and projects their image onto a screen located in the instrument cluster. This system is invaluable for night driving in areas where deer, elk or even humans may be on the road but out of headlight range.

As to be expected, the 2020 Cadillac XT6 comes nicely equipped with such amenities as leather seating, heated 8-way-power front seats with 2-way power-lumbar support, 8-speaker Bose audio, a heated steering wheel and a power sunroof.

Also onboard is a power-folding 3rd-row seat, tri-zone climate controls, wireless charging, a hands-free power liftgate, active noise cancellation, 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, Safety Alert driver’s seat, power tilt/telescopic steering column, 20-inch alloy wheels and rain-sensing wipers.

Standard driver assists include forward-collision alert, following-distance indicator, front-pedestrian braking, low-speed forward automatic braking, front and rear park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot warning.

Options include ventilated front seats, heated 2nd-row seats, a captain’s-chair second row for 6-passenger seating, air ionizer, auto park assist with braking, smart towing with hitch guidance, 360-degree camera, color head-up display, and rear-camera mirror. Also available are navigation and a premium 14-speaker Bose audio system.

The $4,900 Platinum package, which is available on both the Premium Luxury and Sport trims, includes Opus semi-aniline leather upholstery, leather-wrapped console, micro-suede headliner, and a performance suspension with real-time damping.

Regardless of which 2020 Cadillac XT6 trim you choose, it will be powered by a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. This is the same engine used throughout General Motors’ SUV fleet and while competent, lacks the muscle found in almost every one of the XT6’s rivals.

A 9-speed automatic handles the power, sending it either to the front wheels or all four via the XT6’s advanced all-wheel-drive system. Fuel economy isn’t the best in class, below that of the Acura MDX and Volvo XC90, on par with the Lincoln Aviator and slightly better than the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

3.6-liter V6
310 horsepower @ 6,600 rpm
271 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (FWD), 17/24 mpg (AWD)

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