An SUV with a third row of seats is practically a must for families and constitutes one of the hottest segments of the market. By , that meant the only choice was the Escalade, the body-on-frame SUV derived from the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban. However, in recent years, Cadillac has also made the , which shares its platform with the Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.
The XT6 has some definite advantages and disadvantages over the Escalade. While the unibody crossover doesn’t offer the towing or off-road capability of its bigger brother, it does boast a comfortable ride and roomy interior – two more important benefits for many buyers. Here’s why the XT6 is the best Cadillac of 2023, according to TrueCar.
I am space, space and more space. Riders like the spacious interior, which includes generous room for seven passengers. And unlike other three-row SUVs, the back seat is big enough for adults. Then there’s the cargo area, with nearly 13 cubic feet of space behind the back row. That’s not a lot, but the number grows to over 43 cubic feet with the third row stowed and a cavernous 78.7 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded.
The downside to all that space is modest performance and below-average fuel economy. The XT6 offers two engine choices: a standard 237-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and an optional 310-hp 3.6-liter V6. Both pair with front-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission, but all-wheel drive is available.
The base four-cylinder engine is passable for city driving, but struggles to get onto the highway. And when carrying cargo or passengers, the turbo-four sounds tight and rough. However, its EPA-estimated fuel economy is an admirable 21 mpg city and 27 highway on FWD and premium gas. The V6 is a much better option but it’s not fast for the segment. And it trades quicker acceleration for fuel efficiency: 14/19 mpg city/highway.
The 2023 Cadillac XT6 beat out the Escalade and Lyriq
Despite its drawbacks, the Cadillac XT6 is a better option for most people than the Escalade, he believes. The XT6 is smaller and less expensive while offering similar interior space. It also comes standard with front-wheel drive and gets better fuel economy. When well equipped, it has a similar level of features to the Escalate, including a premium audio system, heated front seats, and advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking and lane keeping.
Plus, the XT6 has more space, more seating, and a lower base price than its five-passenger midsize electric sibling, the Lyriq. The , while Lyriq’s base MSRP is $62,990. The two areas where the EV beats its stablemate are performance and the must-have factor for last. Thanks to a 500hp electric motor and rear-wheel drive, the Lyriq can hit 60mph in just over five seconds. Plus, its interior and exterior styling feels positively space-age compared to the more family-oriented XT6.
Should you consider the XT6?
If you want to make a statement, the Escalade is your ride. Bold, powerful and luxurious, it makes the XT6 look like a minivan. People considering a Cadillac want it to make a statement, which the Escalade and Lyriq do much better than the XT6.
Also, if you’re looking for the most luxurious three-row crossover, the Lincoln Aviator, Acura MDX, and BMW X7 are better options. But the XT6 trumps those rivals in terms of interior space and pricing.
The biggest problem with the 2023 Cadillac XT6 is that it offers nothing more substantial than its corporate cousins, especially the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. Both offer a similar level of luxury for less money. And although the Acadia is slightly smaller, the Enclave offers the same room, features and performance. In fact, the 2023 Enclave is ninth on its list of over 20 midsize SUVs, while the XT6 finishes in 19th place.
