2021 Cadillac XT6 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
The 2021 Cadillac XT6 is a mid-size luxury SUV with room for up to seven people. It's a very capable SUV with plenty of room for passengers or cargo. It's as luxurious and sophisticated as you would expect from a Cadillac. It also offers good performance and an attractive design. Here are some of the top reasons to purchase a Cadillac XT6 along with a few negatives to be aware of.
What's New for 2021?
There will be a new powertrain available for the Luxury trim level for 2021. It will now come stock with a turbocharged I4 engine. The ever-popular Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been integrated into the infotainment systems for every model of the XT6. Last of all, the Sport trim level will feature a new 20-inch wheel design.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2021 Cadillac XT6 – The Pros
1. Three Spacious Seat Rows
The 2021 Cadillac XT6 isn't the largest SUV on the market, but it does offer plenty of interior space for passengers. It can comfortably seat up to seven people. There are three full rows of seats in the XT6. Every row has plenty of head and leg room. The seats can also be configured in different ways for some versatility. If you need more cargo room, this can easily be achieved.
2. Plenty of Cargo Space
The cargo space inside of the The 2021 Cadillac XT6 starts out at a modest 12.6 cubic feet. With the third row folded down, this can be expanded up to 43.1 cubic-feet of space. With the third and second rows both properly configured, you can get a whopping 78.7 cubic-feet of cargo space. Loading and unloading is easy thanks to the rear hatch and a high cargo floor.
3. A Powerful V6 Engine
The base engine for the Cadillac XT6 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4. This is a powerful little engine that can produce 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The real star of the show, however, is the Cadillac 3.6-liter V6. This engine choice will get you 310 horsepower with 271 pound-feet of torque. Choosing the V6 greatly improves the SUV's acceleration and towing capacity. Both engines come paired with a smooth-shifting, 9-speed automatic-transmission system.
4. Good Steering and Handling
Tight and accurate steering make handling the Cadillac XT6 a breeze. Braking power is strong and can stop the XT6 on a dime if needed. The XT6 can feel downright nimble considering its size. Most drivers will have no problems parking or maneuvering this SUV through narrow spaces. The steering dynamics here are more akin to what one would find on a luxury sedan than a mid-size SUV.
5. The Comfortable Interior
The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offers one of the most comfortable interiors in its class. There is a lot of head and leg room for all three rows. Passengers can ride comfortably and even stretch out a bit on long road trips. The seats are extremely comfortable and supportive. Up front, you'll get 6-way adjustments and 2-way lumbar support. You can also add on heated front seats as an optional feature. Cadillac has done a fantastic job of sound proofing the XT6 for a quiet, peaceful ride.
6. Excellent Ride Quality
In addition to offering a comfortable interior, the XT6 also provides a smooth and quiet ride. The suspension system is great and soaks up every bump in the road. The ride quality is smooth but not floaty. The driver will get an appropriate amount of road feedback while still gliding along in comfort.
7. High-Tech Infotainment System
The Cadillac XT6 comes equipped with an excellent infotainment system. There's an 8-inch touchscreen display. The system provides a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and a number of ways to connect your smartphone and other mobile devices. There are USB ports for charging and connectivity. All XT6 models also provide wireless charging. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is available. You also get Bluetooth technology for easy streaming of your favorite music.
Speaking of music, the XT6 has an audio setup by Bose with either 8 or 14 speakers. There's an optional navigation system so that you can always find your destination. There is even an optional rear-seat entertainment package. This includes another HD screen and a DVD player.
8. Available All-Wheel Drive
Adding on the available all-wheel drive further enhances the already-great handling of the Cadillac XT6. It also makes it a somewhat safer vehicle. Better traction means better handling on slick or wet pavement. The all-wheel drive option makes the XT6 a great vehicle for anyone who lives in a climate with a lot of extreme weather. It also gives the XT6 some respectable off-road capability.
9. Towing Capabilities
The ability to tow can be a great asset. This is one of the best reasons to select a capable SUV over a standard sedan. A vehicle of this size is perfect for long road trips and family vacations. During such times, you may want to bring a boat or trailer along for the ride. The 2021 Cadillac XT6 with the V6 engine can tow up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped. A Smart-Towing Package and Hitch Guidance with Hitch View are also available as optional features.
10. Safety Features and Driver-Assist Technology
All trim levels of the XT6 come stock with seven airbags. Automatic Seatbelt Tightening and ABS brakes are standard as well. The XT6 features a lot of driver-assist tech. You get Reverse Automatic Braking, Lane-Change Alert with Side Blind-Zone Alert and Forward-Collision Alert. The XT6 also offers Parking Assist and a Rear-View Camera for easier navigating while in reverse. An Advanced Security Package gives you some protection against would-be thieves.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2021 Cadillac XT6 – The Cons
1. The Fuel Economy Could Be Better
The turbocharged I4 engine has an EPA combined fuel-economy rating of 23 miles-per-gallon. With the V6 engine, you should see around 26 miles-per-gallon on the highway and 19 miles-per-gallon while driving in the city. These aren't the worst numbers in this class of vehicles, but they're not the best either. While SUVs aren't exactly known for their fuel efficiency, there are competing vehicles that do better in this category.
2. Some Cheap Interior Materials
The Cadillac XT6 has one of the most comfortable interiors in its class. The seats are fantastic. The ride quality is amazing. Unfortunately, the cabin of the XT6 is filled with plastic and some other cheap materials. This was likely done to keep costs down, but the XT6 is still an expensive vehicle.
3. The High Cost
There are much cheaper mid-size SUVs with three rows of seats on the market. Of course, they won't be true luxury vehicles with all of the perks of the 2021 Cadillac XT6. The problem is, the XT6 comes in at a slightly higher cost than other luxury SUVs in its class too. Once you decide on a premium trim level or start adding on optional features, the high cost quickly gets worse.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Honda Pilot
One of the top competitors for Cadillac's XT6 will be the 2021 Honda Pilot. Honda has a great reputation for building reliable vehicles that last for a long time. The Pilot and XT6 both have similar base prices. Both are similarly sized, though the Pilot has room for one more passenger. It has a little bit more cargo room too, but the numbers are close enough for this to be negligible.
Both of these SUVs have powerful V6 engines. The Cadillac XT6 engine has significantly more power and torque. Acceleration, the top speed and towing capacities are all much better with the XT6. Both vehicles have similar fuel-economy ratings and plenty of standard features. The Cadillac XT6 offers a more comfortable interior and better handling. Cadillac wins out over Honda here.
2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade
Another top mid-sized SUV is the Hyundai Palisade. Like the Cadillac XT6, this is another SUV with three full rows of seats. It can accommodate seven or even eight people depending on the trim level and seat configuration. It offers 86.4 cubic-feet of storage space. That's slightly more than the 78.7 cubic-feet of cargo room in the Cadillac XT6. Once again, both vehicles have a similar base price here.
Hyundai's Palisade has a powerful V6 engine that produces more horsepower than the Cadillac XT6 turbocharged I4. The I4 engine offers better fuel efficiency. If you get a Cadillac XT6 with the V6 engine, it's significantly more powerful than the Hyundai. Steering and handling are better in the XT6. It also once again has the more comfortable interior. Cadillac wins again here with its better performance and ride quality.
Conclusion
If you're in the market for a new mid-size SUV, you can't go wrong with the 2021 Cadillac XT6. It performs well and offers a level of comfort that's unmatched by the competition. This is a true luxury vehicle with all of the style and elegance that the Cadillac brand name is known for. It's also a practical vehicle to own with some impressive capabilities.
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