2020 Cadillac XT6 Review

It took time, but Cadillac's first three-row crossover is here. The 2020 Cadillac XT6 signals the Detroit luxury automaker's intention to compete at every level of the luxury SUV terra. But wait, you say. Doesn't the Escalade offer three rows? It does, yes, but the Escalade couldn't be more different from the all-new XT6.

The full-size Escalade remains a truck-based SUV powered by a thirsty V8. The XT6 is smaller and lighter thanks to its sedan-like chassis, and it is far more maneuverable than the Escalade's land-yacht proportions.

The XT6 is about the same size as the Audi Q7, one of its primary competitors, yet it offers a roomier third-row seat. It's also easy to reach that third row with second-row seats that slide and tilt forward. The Q7 is one of our top-rated luxury three-row crossovers, but on this score, the XT6 beats it handily.

To get that room, Cadillac took it out of the XT6's luggage space, which ranks low in the class — 12.6 cubic feet with all the seats up. But folding both rear rows opens up a properly large 78.7 cubic feet of space, ideal for times when you'll need to load it to the roof.

The XT6 comes with all the active safety features you expect on a modern vehicle, with even more that are optional. There's an 8-inch touchscreen display, two USB jacks for each row of seats, and an array of options that include a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless device charging.

Power comes from a 310-horsepower V6 engine, the same engine in the smaller XT5 crossover. That's slightly more power than many competitors and is adequate in hustling the larger XT6 to highway speeds. Properly equipped, the XT6 can tow up to 4,000 pounds. That's on the low side of the class, with some luxury rivals able to pull around 7,000 pounds, but it's still enough for most light-duty trailering.

Overall, the XT6 is a solid pick for a three-row luxury crossover SUV, though rivals such as the Q7, Acura MDX and Volvo XC90 are a little more compelling overall.