The 2022 Cadillac XT6 is a midsize luxury with three rows of seating, an attention-grabbing exterior design, and a choice of turbocharged 4-cylinder or V6 engine. Direct competitors include the Lexus RX, Volvo XC90, Acura MDX, Lincoln Aviator, and BMW X7.
In terms of how it drives, the Cadillac XT6 is a middle-of-the-pack choice when it comes to handling responses, ride comfort, and acceleration whenever you punch the gas pedal. This Cadillac luxury SUV stands out with its overall value. The three available trims include a wide range of standard features and some tempting options.
Cadillac offers the XT6 in entry-level Luxury trim, mid-range Premium Luxury, and top-of-the-line Sport. Only the XT6 Luxury is equipped with a 237-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder; the upper two versions get a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.
In the Sport, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, whereas it’s a stand-alone $2,000 option on the Luxury and Premium Luxury models.
The XT6, like all new 2022 Cadillacs, is equipped with Smart System. This standard safety suite has a forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and even a Safety Alert Seat that vibrates to warn the driver if a car is approaching dangerously from the side.
Also included in the Cadillac Smart System is Teen Driver, which allows parents to monitor beginning drivers (via a post-drive digital report card) and set various parameters such as stereo volume. All XT6s also have a simple but effective rear-seat reminder that is designed to prevent infants (or pets) from being forgotten and left unattended in this Cadillac’s rear seats.
To see if the 2022 XT6 is a good fit for your budget and driving needs, let’s examine what each trim offers luxury SUV shoppers.
2022 Cadillac XT6 Luxury (starting at $49,790)
Starting things off is the Cadillac XT6 Luxury, the base trim of the lineup. This is the only model powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder. It delivers 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque to either the front wheels (FWD) or all four when equipped with AWD.
This engine is coupled to a 9-speed automatic, a gearbox fitted to the optional V6 on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims.
The EPA estimates the XT6 returns 21 mpg in city driving, 27 mpg on the highway, and a combined average of 23 mpg. Those are solid figures for a luxury SUV with room for seven passengers.
The fuel economy ticks down slightly to 21 mpg city/ 26 mpg highway/ 23 mpg combined in AWD format. That’s good news for anyone who needs the added grip of AWD but doesn’t want to pay enormous fuel bills.
We mentioned value is a big part of the XT6’s appeal, and that’s exhibited by the lengthy list of standard features that come with the base Luxury trim. These include an 8-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, onboard Wi-Fi hot spot, keyless entry, remote start, sunroof, a power liftgate, heated and power-operated front seats, tri-zone climate control, 8-speaker Bose audio system, Bluetooth, and satellite radio.
Now that we’ve caught our breath… it’s equally reassuring to know the XT6 comes with an impressive list of active safety features. These include forward-collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and rearview camera, to name a few.
What else can be added to the XT6 Luxury?
Not all that much, to be honest. Options include the Onyx or Radiant appearance packages, which bring along either gloss black or chrome exterior trim pieces and 20-in alloy wheels finished in, you probably guessed, gloss black or chrome finishes.
Smaller and less expensive extras like side sill steps (to aid entry and egress), roof rails, and an engine block heater are also available.
An XT6 Luxury buyer who sticks to the base price of $49,790, including destination charge, will pay $855 monthly if financing for 60 months at a 3% interest rate with zero cash down. See the 2022 Cadillac XT6 Luxury models for sale
2022 Cadillac XT6 Luxury includes:
- Standard features – Seating for seven, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control.
- Safety – Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning.
- Infotainment system – Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 8-in. touchscreen, satellite radio, and Wi-Fi hot spot.
2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury (starting at $54,190)
Next up the XT6 ladder is the Premium Luxury trim. Like the Luxury version, FWD is standard, and AWD is a $2,000 option which, thankfully, isn’t grouped into a large and pricey option package — something several automakers do with their SUVs.
The big news is what’s under the hood. The XT6 Premium Luxury is fitted with the 310-hp 3.6-liter V6, which provides noticeably better straight-line performance than the turbo 4-cylinder. If towing is a consideration, keep in mind the turbo 4-cylinder has a maximum towing capacity of only 1,000 lbs versus 4,000 lbs with the V6.
One drawback is lower fuel mileage, the XT6 Premium Luxury FWD returns an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in city driving, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. Like the 4-cylinder, adding AWD to the V6 engine doesn’t detract much from fuel economy. The XT6 with the V6 and AWD returns a reasonable 18 mpg city/ 25 mpg highway/ 21 mpg combined.
Additional standard comfort and tech features include a heated steering wheel, a wider range of adjustment for the front seats, a wireless smartphone charging pad, a hands-free power liftgate, rain-sensing wipers, and a power-folding third row. In terms of added standard safety items, blind-spot monitoring is included, too.
We’ve already mentioned the Onyx and Radiant appearance packages available on all three trim levels. To up the luxury quotient of the XT6 further, the Platinum package brings with it a leather-covered dash and door panels, premium leather seating, microfiber suede headliner, performance suspension, chassis damping control, and wood trim. At roughly $5,000, this is the priciest of the XT6 Premium Luxury option packages.
Also available is the Driver Assist package, which includes adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic braking. For even more safety items, the Enhanced Visibility and Technology package comes with a rear camera mirror with an integrated washer, head-up instrument display, rear pedestrian alert, and automatic parking assist.
For the SUV shoppers who want to keep their passengers comfy and entertained, second-row captain’s chairs are available, as is a rear entertainment system with a DVD player. Conversely, if you’d like to drown out anyone along for the ride, there’s an optional 14-speaker Bose audio system.
With no money down and at its base price of $54,190, an XT6 Premium Luxury buyer financing for 60 months at 3% interest would pay $930 each month. See the 2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury models for sale
2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury includes:
- More performance – 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 is standard.
- Luxury touches – Available captain’s chairs, power-folding third row.
- Platinum package – Cabin fitted with premium leather seating and wood trim.
2022 Cadillac XT6 Sport (starting at $59,490)
The XT6 Sport comes equipped with standard AWD to go along with its 310-hp V6 and 9-speed automatic. Given its name, you’d expect a little sportiness is added to the mix, too.
In terms of horsepower, the XT6 has the same output as the Premium Luxury trim. That might disappoint luxury SUV shoppers looking for neck-straining acceleration.
To its credit, the XT6 Sport gets suspension upgrades, including its own torque-vectoring AWD system.
However, except for some pricing differences, the XT6 Sport is available with the same option packages offered in the Premium Luxury.
These include the Onyx and Radiant package, the Platinum package, and the safety-minded Enhanced Visibility and Technology package.
Using the base price as our model, however, with no money down and financing for 60 months, a 3% interest would result in a monthly payment of $980. See the 2022 Cadillac XT6 Sport models for sale
2022 Cadillac XT6 Sport includes:
- Ride and handling – Torque-vectoring AWD.
- Premium extras – Available upgraded leather and wood trim, optional 21-inch alloy wheels.
- Safety – Optional night vision, surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control.
