Super smooth riding but it needs a turbo six

It’s been a couple of years since I last drove Cadillac’s three-row luxury SUV, so it was good to get back in the driver’s seat of the 2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury AWD. Last time I had the Sport model, this one was the goldilocks choice, the Premium Luxury.

The XT6 slots neatly in between the XT5 and the Escalade and is Cadillac’s largest crossover. With 3 rows it has plenty of room and even adults will fit in the 3rd row if only for small trips. If you were thinking about buying an Escalade for its size then perhaps think again, the XT6 offers nearly as much space.

Styling

I like the XT6’s styling with its sharp creases, cool-looking vertical LED tail lamps, and daytime running lights at the front, it sets it apart from most other SUVs’ blocky sameness.  I do dislike the trend of fake vents though, they look like a cheap afterthought. Overall though my tester which was wearing Stellar Black Metallic paint with its dark mesh grille and LED headlamps, looked very good.

How big is it?

The XT6 is really a slightly larger version of the Cadillac XT5. The XT6 is longer (198.8 inches versus 189.6) but the wheelbase is only 0.2-inch longer than the smaller model, hence the larger overhangs. That extra length, of course, allows for the third row, and if you opt for the 2nd-row bench, room for seven.

Fold all the seats flat and you have a very generous 78.7 cubic feet of space. My tester had the 2nd-row captain’s chairs, which I prefer, but if you have dogs then bear in mind, they will be free to walk around the cabin. With all seats up you get 12.6 cubic feet of space as well as a handy storage bin below a lid that stays up when you open it. Fold the third row flat and you get around 48 cubic feet.

Pricing

The XT6 starts at $48,595 for the Premium trim level, the Premium Luxury starts at $54, 995 but my tester had a lot of options checked, the Platinum Package ($5,000) which includes Semi-Aniline Leather, French Stitched Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, Microfiber Suede Headliner, Real-Time Damping Suspension and many other goodies. The Tech Package ($2,350) includes HD Surround Vision, Park Assist, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Rear Camera Washer, and Night Vision ($2,000). With Heated Rear Seats, a 14 Speaker Bose System, and Premium Headlamp System, the total price including destination was $70,965.

Of all the options available on this Premium Luxury Platinum model, it’s the night vision I would skip. I tried it and you have to keep glancing down to look at the instrument cluster and unless you are on a 2-lane highway with no lighting it’s not really necessary.

No turbos yet

The 2020 XT6 is powered by GM’s 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. It gets along pretty well but it could really use a turbo. 0-60 takes 6.4 seconds if you turn off the traction control and mash your foot into the carpet, but the engine doesn’t sound great at higher revs so it’s best to sit back and waft along on its super cushy suspension.

How does it go?

The XT6’s V6 is a good one, it’s smooth in the low and midrange but can get a bit raucous at higher revs where it feels less than silky. Relaxed driving is the key here and that makes sense, it’s a Cadillac so first and foremost it’s a comfort-oriented SUV.

My tester model came with an all-wheel-drive system that shifts power between the left and right rear wheels thanks to a pair of electronically activated clutches at the rear. There are four driving modes, Tour which uses front-wheel drive, AWD, Sport which gives you more aggressive throttle and shift programming, and Snow made should you encounter any white stuff falling from the sky.

The Premium Luxury XT6 AWD models also feature torque-on-demand to the rear axle with an open rear differential.

On the move, the ride is firm but comfortable but not jarring and the body maintains solid composure in the bends. Turn-in and cornering grip were impressive even with the smaller 20-inch wheels, but you couldn’t really describe it as sporty. The only miss is the steering, which is too heavy and provides little to no feedback ion in Sport mode, so I spent most of the week in AWD mode and it was ideal. Drive at less aggressive speeds though and the XT6 provides a supremely comfortable way to get from A to B.

The 9-speed automatic does a great job to make up for the lack of outright torque, it swaps cogs smoothly and efficiently and didn’t seem to hunt for gears and is eager to downshift when asked. Most of the sounds at cruising speeds stay out of the cabin so you can enjoy your music in peace.

Fuel economy is pretty good thanks to stop-start (which I usually turn off) and a variable displacement cylinder deactivation system when you’re not pressing on. That said I only averaged 16.5 mpg thanks to a heavy right foot. The EPA says combined/city/highway at 21/18/25 mpg respectively for the AWD model.

Inside

The XT6’s cabin is comfortable, roomy, and well-appointed. The driver and front passenger get heated and cooled eight-way power and they are both comfortable and supportive. My Platinum Package tester had 2 captain’s chairs in the second row, something I prefer since it looks cool and provides easier access to the 3rd row. Material quality is good especially with the semi-aniline leather chairs and there’s plentiful use of soft plastics carbon fiber trim and a modern-looking dash. The front seats are superbly comfortable and have ample bolstering and multi-way power so it’s easy to find the perfect position.

Cadillac’s User Experience (CUE) technology also gets better, the interface is much easier to navigate. The 8-inch touch screen looks great, graphics are clear and bright, and to help prevent those annoying with fingerprint smears there’s a wheel controller on the center console that can be used to navigate the interface.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, and the excellent Wi-Fi charger located forward of the center bin not only charged my phone with its case on but had more than enough space for the largest phones.

My tester didn’t have Super Cruise which was disappointing as I would take that option any day over the aforementioned Night Vision System.

To wrap up

2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury AWD

BASE PRICE: $54,995
AS TESTED PRICE: $70,965
VEHICLE TYPE: Front-engine, front-/all-wheel-drive, 6-passenger, 4-door hatchback
ENGINE  3.6-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6
TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
POWER: 310 hp @ 6,600 rpm
TORQUE: 271 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
O–60 mph 6.4 secs
WHEELS: 20-inch split-spoke 
CARGO VOLUME: 78.7 cu ft first row folded, 43.1 cu ft second row folded, 12.6 cu ft third row folded
CURB WEIGHT: 4,700 lb
FUEL ECONOMY Combined/city/highway: 21/18/25 mpg
OUR FUEL ECONOMY: 16.5 mpg
PROS: Great looking, very quiet and refined, smooth 9-speed auto 
CONS: Needs a turbo 6, can get pricey