2021 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury Review

This week we take a look at the 3-row 2021 Cadillac XT6 Premium luxury crossover SUV. XT6 was created last year to fill a void between the 5-passenger XT5, and the huge Escalade, which is expensive and too large for many. The XT6 comes in just 2 trim levels, the top-of-the-line Sport, and the one I’m reviewing, the Premium Luxury.

Exterior

The XT6 has the signature Cadillac look with the vertical LED lights in the front, 20” wheels, and a large grill that gives the XT6 an aggressive look. A rear spoiler and square dual exhausts pipes finish the rear view.

Powertrain

Pop the hood and you’ll find the very proven 3.6-liter V6 putting out 310-horses that is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission that has shift paddles. XT6 comes standard with front-wheel drive, but my test vehicle has the optional all-wheel drive system.

Interior

Inside the XT6, you will find rich leather seating that is unbelievably soft and if you have back problems, the power lumbar supports have a lot of range.

A bright, colorful dash greets you when you sit behind the power heated tilt steering wheel with controls. In the center of the large tachometer and speedometer, is the driver information system that is controlled from the steering wheel and gives the driver a ton of information.

Going across the dash to both door panels, you’ll find some beautiful wood, which is standard with the Premium Luxury package.

The center console has large, hidden cup holders, and there is a place to charge your cell phone. You will also find the shifter, and you can change the drive modes from Touring, All-wheel drive, Sport, and Off-road. There are also shortcuts to audio, navigation and Bluetooth.

Above the shifter are the climate controls, heated and cooled front seats buttons, then just above that is the 8” color touchscreen that operates the Cadillac CUE system, which stands for Cadillac User Experience. It has been one of my favorite interface systems for years. You can use the system as a touch screen, or there is a round knob on the console if you prefer. CUE offers an enhanced 3D GPS navigation, Wi-Fi, and phone integration compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

One cool feature is the surround view cameras that will record all around the car, much like a dash cam.

From the driver’s seat, you have a terrific head-up display, and if you hit a button on the inside rearview mirror, it becomes a rearview camera to give you a much wider view of what is behind you.

Utility

The second row seats of the XT6 are spacious and this one has the captain chairs, but you can also get a bench seat. You can slide the seats forward and backward, or easily fold them down for 3rd row access.

Perhaps the big surprise for me was the 3rd row seat leg and head room. Two adults would actually be quite comfortable back there. The 3rd row seat can be raised and lowered with switches in the rear.

Standard Equipment and Options

The XT6 Sport comes with everything you would expect from a loaded Cadillac. Most notable is the Bose stereo system, heated rear seats, a power UltraView moon roof, power hands-free liftgate, keyless entry, and remote start.

On the safety front, you get blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alert, lane keeping assist, forward and reverse automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control.

There are $14,675 in various options including Night Vision, a cabin ionizer, heated and cooled front seats, a head-up display, emergency braking, rear heated seats, and a rear camera washer.

Ride and Drive

The XT6 handles, rides, and corners extremely well, and is incredibly quiet inside. Fuel economy is 18 in town and 25 on the highway. It also has start/stop technology but there is a button to turn it off.

What You’ll Pay

MSRP is $70,465 which puts the XT6 in line with other 3-row luxury SUVs and it is over $20,000 less than its big sister, the Escalade.