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2021 Cadillac XT6 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2021 Cadillac XT6 Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: Luxury vs Premium Luxury vs Sport
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

What 2021 Cadillac XT6 Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

Cadillac has certainly set the bar high with their luxurious 2021 XT6 SUV. Offering a traditional two-row body and impressive ground clearance of almost seven inches, this vehicle is sure to make an impression on drivers seeking a powerful ride that looks rugged yet refined. Inside, passengers are treated to plenty of leg room - 39 inches in the second row and 29.5 in third - while cargo capacity reaches 78 cubic feet when both rows are folded down! The options available with theXT6 highlight Cadillac's commitment towards creating modern vehicles designed for today's discerning consumer.

Cadillac boosts the XT6 lineup for 2021 with an additional trim - Luxury. Named to evoke a luxurious experience, it's actually the most affordable version of this SUV and can be seen as an effort by Cadillac to make the XT6 more accessible. This overview will provide insight into what makes each variant unique so customers can determine which option best suits their lifestyle needs.

Compare the XT6 Luxury vs Premium Luxury. What is the difference?

For those looking to get some serious power out of their sedan, the XT6 Luxury is a great choice. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engine offers an impressive 237 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque for lightning fast acceleration - perfect for your daily commute or next road trip! But don't stop there - opt for the Premium LUX trim which steps up with an even more powerful 3.60L V6 that pumps out 310HP and 271 lb.-ft of torque; making it ideal for drivers seeking speed plus increased control through its nine speed automatic transmission featuring manual override options – all topped off by available All Wheel Drive technology designed to keep you stable in slippery conditions.

The XT6 offers outstanding fuel economy, with front-wheel drive models earning up to 21 city and 27 highway miles per gallon; the V6 produces a slightly lower 19/26 mpg. Meanwhile, all-wheel drive reduces efficiency by only 1 MPG - offering an incredibly efficient performance whatever your engine choice.

Only the Premium Luxury has an available Smart Towing package. This includes a hitch, cover, and a seven-wire harness. It also comes with a 170-amp alternator, a heavier duty cooling system that can do a better job given the extra effort that the SUV may be exerting, and hitch guidance. Through hitch guidance, a camera can give a driver an up-close view of what's going on behind the vehicle, making it easier to hook up trailers. Further, a performance suspension and enhanced damping system are available on the Premium Luxury but not on the Luxury trim.

Cadillac starts out the XT6 with leatherette seats, a leather steering wheel, a smart key, and remote start. Having a three-zone temperature control system can be helpful given the number of passengers that can fit in the cabin, and the driver and front passenger can get a little more warmth thanks to their heated seats.

The Luxury and the Premium Luxury trims have room for seven people, with two seats in the third row and three seats in the middle row. The Premium Luxury offers the option of getting captain's chairs in the middle row to open things up a bit. This brings total accommodations down to six.

Some standard features that are found in the Premium Luxury add to the upscale nature of the cabin. For example, it has power-lumbar controls in the driver's and front passenger's seat to provide more support. It has a power-adjustable, heated steering wheel that can start warming up by itself when the heated front seats are on, and it has leather seats with perforated-leather inserts.

Having six USB ports is key for keeping everyone's devices charged. The Premium Luxury has the addition of wireless phone charging. Both trims have the ability to serve as Wi-Fi hotspots, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. This makes it simple to connect the vehicle's infotainment system, which uses an eight-inch touchscreen, with a smartphone. Providing dozens of entertainment options is SiriusXM Radio, which is standard as well. All XT6 SUVs have the ability to recognize certain phrases, so people can simply say certain commands rather than physically touching the screen to make phone calls or play songs, for instance.

An option on either trim is putting in a rear-seat entertainment system. It comes with a DVD player, two eight-inch screens built into the front-row headrests, a remote control, and wireless headphones.

The safety package on the Cadillac XT6 is fairly generous. The safety suite includes front collision alert and automatic emergency braking. These systems can sense when the XT6 seems like it's about to hit a vehicle or pedestrian in front of it. When this situation occurs, the driver will be warned, and the brakes could automatically engage if necessary. Lane keep assist with lane departure warning acts in a similar fashion. It can warn drivers when they're veering out of a lane, and it can gently correct their steering. Other standard components are a rear vision camera and alerts that are sent out when the XT6 gets too close to objects when it's being parked.

Drivers in the Premium Luxury get to take advantage of some additional programs. The Premium Luxury has blind zone monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, and these can really be useful since it's not always easy to see other vehicles. Available on the Premium Luxury are reverse automatic braking, a surround-view perspective and the ability to record videos on the SUV's cameras, and adaptive cruise control. One more available feature is automatic parking assist. With this program, the SUV can steer itself into parallel or perpendicular parking spots.

From the exterior, the Premium Luxury looks like its more expensive price point is justified. It has 20-inch wheels instead of the Luxury's 18-inch wheels. Its side mirrors are heated, come with turn signals, and can automatically dim when bright lights are detected. It also has a hands-free power rear gate and wipers that can automatically turn on when it starts to rain. Both trims have a power sunroof, rear spoiler, and LED headlights and daytime running lights to enhance their appearance.

Compare the XT6 Premium Luxury vs Sport Trims. What is the difference?

The Sport trim of the car not only provides an extra dose of toughness but also comes standard with a range of features that are normally found in higher-class models, such as heavy-duty cooling and real time damping suspension systems. As its crown jewel, however, it is equipped with an all-wheel drive system featuring two independent clutches capable to deliver power even on individual wheels - so if your left front tire needs more pushing power no worries; this model got you covered.

Like the Premium Luxury, the Sport rides on 20-inch wheels. The difference is that its wheels have a 12-spoke design that have dark android satin finish pockets. Another exterior difference is that the Premium Luxury has a chrome accent on its door handles while the Sport does not. The Sport has roof rails, just as the Premium Luxury does, and its roof rails stand out with a gloss black finish.

The Sport trim is another one that has the option of getting seven- or six-passenger seating. Its interior features are nearly identical to those of the Premium Luxury. Passengers get to enjoy leather seats, people sitting in the front can stay cozy with their heated seats, and people in the back can put it their own requests for their preferred temperature. It's optional on the Sport and Premium Luxury to have heated and ventilation front seats put in.

There are many optional elements that can be added to the Sport and Premium Luxury trims. With Night Vision, the SUV can display a thermal heat image if there are people or animals in front of the vehicle. The Onyx Package includes gloss black exterior accents and gloss black wheels. Another example of an available package is the Platinum Package. It gives the SUV semi-aniline leather seats, leather trim on the console and doors, a microfiber suede headliner, and the choice of a black and bronze interior color scheme or one that has a "Maple Sugar" color with black accents.

Final Thoughts

Cadillac has simplified things for its customers, only providing three trims of the 2021 XT6 to consider. The Sport is more fun to drive than the others, and it's quite smooth and responsive. However, it does cost about $4,400 more than the Premium Luxury with front-wheel drive and about $2,400 more than the Premium Luxury with all-wheel drive. For most customers, the higher quality suspension components and nicer all-wheel-drive system that the Sport has aren't enough to warrant this extra cost.

When deciding between the XT6 Luxury and Premium Luxury, power enthusiasts may find themselves drawn to the latter. With 310 horsepower compared with 237 in its counterpart, it packs a punch worth paying extra for. But that’s not all – this trim also comes equipped with handy features like blind spot monitoring, hands-free liftgate and wireless charging for an enhanced experience. Further options are available if you want more differentiation from your ride - heated steering wheel and leather seats included.

Save Money on a 2021 Cadillac XT6:
Previous Cadillac XT6 Trim Configurations:

Compare the 2020 Cadillac XT6 Trim Levels