This week we take a look at the 3-row 2023 Cadillac XT6 Sport luxury crossover SUV. XT6 was created a few years ago to fill a void between the 5-passenger XT5, and the huge Escalade, which is expensive and too large for many.
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.
The XT6 comes in 3 trim levels, the top-of-the-line Sport, which you see here, the Luxury, and the Premium Luxury.
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 and 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 lots of carbon fiber, which comes standard with the Sport 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 Tour, All-wheel drive, Sport, and Off-road. There are also short cuts 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 to scroll through the options. CUE offers enhanced 3D GPS navigation, Wi-Fi, and phone integration compatibility with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
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. This is very helpful when there are passengers in the 3rd-row seat.
The second-row seats of the XT6 are spacious and this one has the captain chairs with fold down armrests, but you can also get a bench seat. You can slide the seats forward and backwards, or easily fold them down for 3rd row access. Second-row occupants can control their own climate and get two USB-C ports.
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 Features
The XT6 Sport comes with everything you would expect from a loaded Cadillac. Most notable are the Bose stereo system, heated rear seats, a power UltraView moon roof, power hands-free lift gate, keyless entry, and remote start.
Safety
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 $13,600 in various options including GM’s Super Cruise system, adaptive cruise control, a cabin ionizer, heated and cooled front seats, the head-up display, emergency braking, and rear heated seats.
The Super Cruise autonomous driving system is by far the best I have experienced. In short, GM has driven and mapped out over 250,000 miles of divided highways.
If you are on an approved road, you’ll get a notification on the dash. Set the cruise control, hit the Super Cruise, and the vehicle literally drives itself. If you want to change lanes, turn on your blinker and it will make sure there is enough room and will change lanes for you.
A camera on the steering wheel monitors your eyes to make sure you are engaged. If not, you get a verbal warning. After that, the car will start to slow down, the flashers come on, and it will safely get you off the road and OnStar will call for help. This is in case the driver is incapacitated.
Ride and Drive
The XT6 handles, rides, and corners extremely well, and it 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 $75,190 which puts the XT6 in line with other 3-row luxury SUVs.
- What I liked most: The ride and handling, spacious interior, great infotainment system.
- What I would change: Give me brake hold as most luxury SUVs have.
- MSRP: Base price $60,185; As equipped: $75,190
- Fuel Economy: 18 city/25 highway/21combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 5,100 miles.
- Weight: 4,690 Pounds/GVWR 6,001 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Compact temporary.
- Length-Width-Height: 199” long/77” wide/70” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 19 gallons with filler on the driver’s side.
- Official Color: Argent Silver Metallic.
- Towing Capacity: 4,000 pounds with max trailer towing package.
- 2023 XT6 in a few words: A comfortable and luxurious SUV that rides and drives great.
- Warranty: 4-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper with roadside assistance, and 6-year/70,000 mile power train warranty with courtesy transportation and free first maintenance visit.
- Final Assembly Location: Spring Hill, TN.
- Manufacturer's website: Cadillac
