Sophisticated design. Smart technology. Stale approach?
Cadillac introduced its brand-new crossover SUV at the North American International Auto Show, and it’s a love/hate affair for fans and skeptics alike.
The 2020 Cadillac XT6 is a three-row crossover SUV that sits right below the revered Escalade in the luxury lineup. It arrives in two trims: Premium Luxury and Sport. As such, the Premium Luxury provides an “elevated level of refinement,” while the Sport delivers a “performance-oriented feel.”
What makes the Sport trim “sporty” is a carbon fiber interior trim, Sport Control active twin-clutch all-wheel drive, and continuous damping control for increased responsiveness.
The XT6 comes equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 powertrain under the hood, which is projected to deliver 310 horsepower. A nine-speed automatic transmission with next-gen electronic precision shift is its right hand.
Equipment Woes
The standard safety profile is good—but a little commonplace. Cadillac is one of the most top-tier, well-known brands in the industry, but its offering of safety systems seems stiff. Front and rear park assist, a safety seat alert, rear cross traffic alert, and a following distance indicator are standard. Advanced amenities like rear pedestrian alert, a head-up display, and night vision are optional.
The absence of Super Cruise is the apparent elephant in the room. As GM’s version of semi-autonomous tech, it’s unclear as to why it isn’t utilized in one of the brand’s most anticipated models, especially in a market this competitive. When asked about it, Steve Carlisle, president of Cadillac, claims the technology isn’t “ready” yet.
However, that didn’t stop Cadillac from equipping it in the CT6 last year—which has actually had a successful run thus far. According to Speed Lux, “It’s different from – and superior to – Tesla’s autopilot in several important aspects…”
So, why the hesitation? Is it Cadillac simply being apprehensive about the technology, or about the drivers behind the wheel operating it?
Conveniences are crucial in a vehicle, but the XT6 fails to provide what’s deemed standard equipment as standard. Keyless open, heated front seats, and smartphone integration? All offered as available.
Cadillac Woes
As equipped and refined as the XT6 is, it begs the question: “Is it worth it?”
Cadillac—what once was the face of luxury automotive, is now struggling to keep up. The evolution of the auto industry is, in a word, rapid, and a few brands slipping through the cracks is to be expected.
Slated to be the brand’s ticket to putting it back in the ring, we can’t help but notice the XT6 falls a bit short. There is nothing particularly je ne sais quoi about it—behind its nameplate, it’s your run-of-the-mill SUV blueprint.
And maybe, that’s the point. In an interview with Carlisle at the Detroit Auto Show, it became apparent that the people behind Cadillac are one-track minded:
“There’s a lot of Cadillac in the XT6”
“It’s a Cadillac”
“It’ll have the look, the feel, the brand of Cadillac”
Is Cadillac banking too much on, essentially, itself? There’s no disagreement that Cadillac is synonymous with luxury, but its name can only take it so far. The main problem child of Cadillac is technology; it needs to be contemporary and captivating, not routine and recycled. Can they get it right before it’s too late? Before enthusiasts become naysayers?
Cadillac is hyping the debut of an all-electric crossover EV soon, and for its sake, we’re hoping it arrives with more meat than the 2020 XT6.
Production on the 2020 Cadillac XT6 is slated to begin this spring. Pricing information will be released around the same time.