It looks good, but will it last? In recent years, we have seen the luxury SUV market slowly but surely get better for everyday reliability. Where once a luxury vehicle looked good, flaunted a respected badge, and was full of fancy kit, it sometimes was not as sturdy as mainstream vehicles. Today, things have changed for the better.
Among some of the most reliable luxury SUVs, the usual-suspect brands like Lexus, Acura, Mazda, Porsche, and BMW are firm favorites, and they roll out some of the sturdiest plush SUVs on the market. However, there is also an American three-row luxury SUV that should be on your radar. It is only a few years old; it boasts some of the best American luxury SUV reliability ratings we have seen, and it offers plush style, a relatively hefty engine, and all the trimmings of its reliable rivals.
The Three-Row Luxury SUV Market Is Tougher Than Ever
The three-row luxury SUV segment is becoming one of the most competitive markets in the whole auto industry. What was once ruled by a handful of nameplates now gets options from nearly every major brand. We can now get three-row models from both traditional luxury marques (think Mercedes, Porsche, and Lexus) and high-end trims from the more mainstream market (think Mazda and Subaru), all within a similar price range.
This has made automakers up their game. It is no longer enough for them to offer leather seats and an extra row. Today, if we are paying for a luxury three-row SUV, we want driver assistance tech, infotainment options, a plush interior, and practicality that makes an SUV worthwhile. Not just some leather and a badge.
Family Luxury SUVs Have To Balance Comfort, Space, And Reliability
There are a couple of sensible reasons for buying a three-row SUV: either you want extra room to lug friends around, or you are a family driver. So, while luxury three-row SUVs are about comfort and status, for a family, especially, they are also about making life easier. That means they need roomy second and third rows that aren’t cramped for adults or tall people, cargo space that doesn’t totally disappear when all seats are in use, and decent ride quality for long journeys.
The details, such as easy-access third rows, quiet cabins, and ease of use, mean just as much as horsepower figures here. Then there is reliability: a luxury SUV looks good parked up, but it also needs to handle school runs and road trips without drama. This is the balance the now-competitive market has to have: the combination of a premium feel, proven reliability, and fancy creature comforts.
The Cadillac XT6 Positions Itself Between Mainstream And Premium Rivals
This is where the Cadillac XT6 comes in. Launched in 2020, the XT6 was made to fill a clear gap in Cadillac’s lineup, slotting nicely between the smaller XT5 and the larger, body-on-frame Escalade. From the outset, it wasn’t designed to be a flagship, but rather a practical three-row mid-sized crossover with a premium edge that appeals to drivers who want refinement and space without a six-figure sticker price.
Model years of the XT6 only lasted between 2020 and 2025, with Cadillac dropping it for the all-electric Vistiq, but in that short amount of time, it became a very useful middle-ground option. It is more distinctive and upscale than its mainstream rivals, yet more approachable and less finicky than some of its European counterparts. Today, used models not only make for exceptionally reliable luxury SUVs, but also useful and well-priced ones.
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2022 Cadillac XT6 Design Blends American Style And Everyday Practicality
There is no denying that the 2022 Cadillac XT6 looks like an American SUV. It doesn’t try to reinvent the luxury SUV playbook, but instead refines it with clean lines, slightly flared wheel arches, a wide stance, a beefy front end, and sharp-looking LEDs to give it a modern presence without going overboard. It is not as in-your-face as an Escalade, but it looks far more beefy than some of the originally similar-priced three-row SUVs of the time.
For a vehicle that is classed as a mid-sized crossover SUV (which has more to do with its unibody), the XT6 cuts an imposing figure on the roads. It rides on a 112.7-inch wheelbase and measures 198.5 inches in length, 77.3 inches in width, and 69.9 inches high. Its upright proportions give you good visibility; it boasts useful features like a hands-free power liftgate, and roof rails make loading it up easy. Cadillac clearly designed the XT6 to not only be looked at but to be useful.
Bold Cadillac Styling Gives The XT6 Instant Road Presence
Cadillac’s design leans heavily on sharp lines, and the XT6 gets it with a kind of quiet confidence. Up front, you get the broad, shield-shaped grille, finished in either bright chrome or a dark mesh. Slim, horizontal headlights frame the grille, while Cadillac’s signature vertical LED daytime running lights drop into the bumper. This unmistakable Cadillac design cue makes the XT6 look a lot stauncher than some of its softer three-row contemporaries.
The hood boasts subtle creases; the bumper integrates functional air inlets without looking overly busy, and crisp lines run from the front to the rear, giving the XT6 a sculpted, premium feel. Even the wheels, which range up to 20 inches, look the part and are cut and angular.
From behind, the XT6 also gets a tough-looking yet fancy touch. It boasts tall, vertical LED taillights that mirror the front signature; a wide stance, integrated roof spoiler, and neatly tucked-away exhaust outlets give it a meaty yet properly-finished look.
Trim choice plays a big part in what kind of look you get as well; the higher-end models get gloss-black accents, a darker grille, and more aggressive touches, while the top-tier model gets more in the way of traditional luxury, in the shape of chrome finishes. For a luxury three-row SUV that originally didn’t cost the world, the Cadillac XT6 certainly made a statement.
Premium Comfort With Family-Friendly Space
Inside, the XT6 was designed to keep things straightforward in a way that actually works. The layout is clean and familiar, centered around Cadillac’s eight-inch touchscreen running the Cadillac User Experience setup. You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while multiple USB ports are available across all three rows, and an available Bose Performance Series 14-speaker rig was originally up for grabs.
Higher trims originally got a lot more, with a HUD, rear camera mirror, HD surround vision, and even night vision all available, and safety features weren’t scrimped on. All 2022 XT6 models come equipped with the Cadillac Smart System suite, which gets you emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot alert, and rear-cross traffic alert.
Then there is how usable the 2022 Cadillac XT6 is for everyday life. It boasts a total passenger volume of 149.9 cubic feet and impressive amounts of space across all three rows. While third-row legroom is not what we would call immense, it is certainly more than you get in the 2022 Toyota 4Runner (24.1 inches), the 2022 Lexus GX 460 (24.9 inches), and the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder (28.1 inches).
|
Headroom |
Shoulder Room |
Hip Room |
Legroom |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
First Row |
39.8 Inches |
58.3 Inches |
50.1 Inches |
41.2 Inches |
|
Second Row |
39.1 Inches |
57.4 Inches |
55.7 Inches |
39.1 Inches |
|
Third Row |
37.2 Inches |
53.5 Inches |
39.5 Inches |
29.5 Inches |
The 2022 XT6 also benefits from a 60/40 split folding second-row bench seat and a substantial amount of cargo space for its class, which includes the following:
- Cargo space behind third row: 12.6 cubic feet
- Cargo space behind second row: 43.1 cubic feet
- Cargo space behind first row: 78.7 cubic feet (maximum with all seats folded down)
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The 2022 Cadillac XT6 Appeals To Those Who Want Stress-Free Ownership
You may be wondering why we have centered on the 2022 Cadillac XT6; the simple answer is that it is the most reliable model year from the short XT6 lineage, and it can be bought for a very reasonable used price today. On the whole, the XT6 lineup is a very well-regarded luxury SUV in terms of reliability, but it is the four-year-old model that gets the highest reliability ratings from J.D. Power.
While American luxury vehicles don’t always get the best headlines in terms of dependability, the XT6 should help you change your mind and start viewing the XT6 at least like the typical Japanese luxury market. According to CarEdge, the average five-year maintenance cost for an XT6 is $3,201, while iSeeCars predicts that the 2022 model is only expected to experience 3.5 lifetime recalls. The range for similarly-sized luxury vehicles tops out at a whopping 27.3 recalls.
The 2022 XT6 Delivers Solid Reliability For A Luxury SUV
To put maintenance costs into perspective, models like the BMW X5 are estimated to cost you around $6,100 over the same time; the Volvo XC90 will cost you $4,199, and the Acura MDX will cost you $3,386. According to data from J.D. Power, the Cadillac XT6 2020–2025 model lineup has the following reliability ratings:
|
2020 Cadillac XT6 |
82/100 |
|
2021 Cadillac XT6 |
75/100 |
|
2022 Cadillac XT6 |
85/100 |
|
2023 Cadillac XT6 |
84/100 |
|
2024 Cadillac XT6 |
82/100 |
|
2025 Cadillac XT6 |
82/100 |
Owners’ reviews on Kelley Blue Book have also been kind, giving the whole lineup an average reliability score of 4.4 out of 5, with 75 percent of owners who left a review recommending buying one. Compared to 2022 Japanese SUVs, even not-so-flashy ones, the 2022 XT6 is rated higher for reliability on J.D. Power than the Acura MDX (75/100), the Lexus NX (75/100), the Acura RDX (79/100), the Honda Pilot (78/100), and the Mazda CX-9 (84/100).
Practical Luxury Without The Price Tag Of Flagship SUVs
Japanese SUVs tend to have very impressive value retention; for example, CarEdge says that the Lexus TX only loses 33 percent of its value in the first five years. On the other hand, some American SUVs, especially the XT6, lose a lot more. CarEdge says that the XT6 loses 52 percent of its value over the same time. For those looking to buy a used Cadillac XT6, this is great news; original MSRPs were never exceptionally high for a luxury SUV, and today, prices are very appealing.
|
Original MSRP Price Range |
2026 Average Used Price Range |
|
|---|---|---|
|
2020 Cadillac XT6 |
$53,690–$58,090 |
$22,000–$23,900 |
|
2021 Cadillac XT6 |
$48,990–$58,190 |
$22,600–$26,300 |
|
2022 Cadillac XT6 |
$49,990–$59,690 |
$25,600–$31,900 |
|
2023 Cadillac XT6 |
$49,990–$61,490 |
$28,200–$37,300 |
|
2024 Cadillac XT6 |
$50,190–$61,690 |
$33,900–$40,900 |
|
2025 Cadillac XT6 |
$50,590–$62,090 |
$47,400–$59,100 |
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Smooth V6 Power And Comfortable Driving Define The 2022 XT6
The 2022 Cadillac XT6 comes equipped with a choice of two engines: a 2.0-liter turbo-four rated at 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet or a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6. While a lot of other luxury SUVs have turned motivation over to hybrids, the XT6, at least for now, can be bought with a touch of American V might behind it.
|
2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport |
|
|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.6-Liter Naturally Aspirated V6 |
|
Horsepower |
310 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
271 LB-FT |
Engine choice depends on what trim you go for. The base XT6 Luxury trim gets the turbo-four, while Premium Luxury and Sport trims benefit from the V6 as standard. Horsepower is decent from the V6, and when properly equipped with the Smart Towing Package, you can tow 4,000 pounds behind you.
The 3.6-Liter V6 Makes The XT6 Feel Effortless
The V6 utilized in the 2022 XT6 is less about the headline numbers, though, and more about refinement. As part of GM’s High Feature V6 family, it boasts DOHC, continuously variable valve timing, and direct fuel injection for a smooth, linear feel. It also gets Active Fuel Management, which switches between six and four cylinders when you don’t need all six. It is something you rarely notice when you are driving, but it does go towards its smooth, low-effort nature.
Hydraulic engine mounts, precise balancing, and decent sound insulation help to keep harsh noises out of the cabin, while the naturally aspirated nature of the mill means you don’t get sudden urges or lag from the turbo. In short, the XT6’s V6 is calm and predictable, while still offering enough bite for some light towing.
The V6 is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which, according to owner reviews, offers smooth shifts and keeps the engine in its optimal rev range for quiet and easy driving. The combination of a V6 and a low-stress nine-speed auto means that you get a smooth ride all day and relatively mid-tier fuel returns of 21 combined mpg.
Super Cruise & Smart Tech Make Long Trips Easier
Then there is the feel behind the wheel. Some used XT6 models come equipped with Cadillac’s semi-autonomous highway system: Super Cruise. This rig lets you go hands-free on compatible roads; it manages steering, braking, and acceleration while monitoring your inputs with an infrared camera. Using LiDAR-mapped highways, GPS, and adaptive sensors, Super Cruise can keep the XT6 centered in lane and maintain a safe following distance. If that doesn’t count as easy family SUV driving, we don’t know what does.
Even if you aren’t using Super Cruise, though, the XT6’s steering is precise and tuned for effortless driving. The rack-mounted electric power steering offers consistent, predictable feedback, while the fully-independent suspension smooths out bumps in the road without banging you around the cabin.
This is by far the best SUV. I have owned it for almost 2 years, and it’s such a smooth ride. The steering is excellent. The roads were flooded, and I had no choice but to drive through, and it exceeded my expectations.
-Owner review of their Cadillac XT6 on Kelley Blue Book
All-wheel drive, in the shape of on-demand AWD for the Luxury and Premium Luxury trims and twin-clutch AWD with torque vectoring for the Sport trim, also shores up handling in the wet, so it is worth keeping your eye on what is available on the market. With reliability ratings that rival Japanese SUVs, a nicely-kitted out interior, a smooth V6 available under the hood, and more room inside than you get from some of the market stalwarts, the Cadillac XT6 is worth taking a look at if you want American styling and feel alongside Japanese-grade dependability.
Sources: Cadillac, iSeeCars, J.D. Power, CarEdge, FuelEconomy.gov, and Kelley Blue Book.