We just had an opportunity to drive the 2020 Cadillac XT6 AWD Crossover with enough time to review it. Unfortunately most of our driving was in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx during our recent trip to the Big Apple for the New York Times Travel Show. A car of this caliber and size with its oh so luxe features deserves wide open roads — imagine driving this spacious and comfortable gem across the United States?
The 2020 Cadillac XT6 AWD Crossover. Photo credit: Cadillac.
The ironic thing about driving in a densely populated city like Manhattan is that you think you’ll never find a parking spot — strangely, we easily found spots on the upper East Side (for two nights in a row) and on the street in Brooklyn within two blocks from where we stayed. That said, during other times, we parked it in a parking garage for safety and ease of getting to the convention center.
Meet the Cadillac XT6 AWD Crossover
Below is the car we experienced during our latest East Coast trip and we drove it in the rain (there was luckily no snow this trip), on the highway as well as through the cities of Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and even Yonkers. We also took it down some narrow streets in SOHO as well without a problem.
The 2020 Cadillac XT6 AWD Crossover parked on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in late January
What makes this SUV so amazing? First of all, it’s a Cadillac. We’ve reviewed quite a few Buicks over the years (although there’s still a couple of models we’ve yet to review during a warmer east coast month), but have never drive a Cadillac. Like its name and brand touts – it’s all things luxe in a myriad of ways.
The nice thing about the Cadillac offering is that you can customize it to your style and needs. For example, go luxe or go sporty. You can see it glisten on the outside, with its premium headlamp system, its gloss black exterior accents with roof rails, side window surround and tinted tail lamp lens. They also offer the oh so sophisticated 20 inch 12-Spoke alloy with pearl nickel finish wheels.
Look at this gem shine — you can even see the winter trees without their leaves reflect in beautiful ways on the exterior and windows.
Unloading our luggage in Manhattan
You also have plenty of color options for both inside and out, making it fun to build/customize the car that speaks to your creative side. Why settle for a color combo you don’t like?
Enough said, the exterior is exquisite in a boat load of ways — what’s not to love?
The rear – photo credit: Cadillac
Inside the Cadillac XT6 AWD Crossover
So, it’s gorgeous to look at, but what about the engine and inside features? Let’s start with my favorite features which differ a bit from what Anthony loved most about driving it. Given that it was winter in New York, we absolutely love the heated front seats and steering wheel – what a godsend for New England driving in January. There’s also a power lifegate that has a programmable height as well.
Elegant and luxurious across the board. Above and below two inside photo credits: Cadillac.
It wouldn’t be a Cadillac without the authentic wood interior accents and decor throughout.
If you are traveling with a family in tow, you’ll want to know about the power-fold third row seats and the tri-zone automatic temperature control, because everyone has their own temperature needs. When Anthony’s hot, I’m cold and vice versa. This beauty also includes an in-vehicle air ionizer (brilliant, right?) and ventilated front seats. I personally loved the UltraView sunroof as well — every car should have one of these.
Safety & Comfort
Inside seat footage from Cadillac
Whether you have a family or not,there are always times when you will need more space for a group. The Cadillac XT6 AWD Crossover boasts three rows of seats and not just any seats, but luxurious and comfortable ones.
The other thing we love about the back space is that it caters well to kids. Safety is a big deal for Cadillac as it is for the Buick cars we’ve reviewed.
For example, they offer front pedestrian braking, which alerts you immediately, applying the breaks. This reduces collision severity and helps to avoid detected pedestrian collisions altogether.
The car also has Night Vision, with infrared sensors that can notify you of potential hazards ahead. A feature called Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning provides gentle steering wheel nudges (super useful) or seat feedback to help avoid lane drifting. This is particularly useful for night driving on long trips.
The Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert can provide side mirror alerts or haptic seat feedback when a moving vehicle is detected in or rapidly approaching your side blind zone. We’ve all experienced this, especially on long trips.
Their Forward Collision Alert will let you know if it detects a front-end collision may be imminent with a car you’re following. It will also alert you if you’re following a car too closely, helping to keep you and those in the car safe.
Then there’s something called Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which alerts you to detected left or right cross traffic behind you when you want to back up, another great safety feature of the car.
Internal Safety Features. Credit: Cadillac
Entertainment & Wifi
Their user experience for entertainment and Wifi is fabulous. You have full access to a library of music and listening apps and the vehicle also offer wireless charging, which is great if you have kids in the backseat glued to their mobile devices.
Below, the wifi charging station.
Wifi charging station, credit: Cadillac
Performance
Like Buick, Cadillac is known for its performance. This gem touts a 3.6L V6 engine and active fuel management. This dynamic SUV has a 9-speed automatic transmission which is optimized for efficiency and precise torque delivery so you have much more control.
The XT6 adapts to your driving needs with a push of a button to bring you into different drive modes and also has refined suspension — it comes with an Active Sport Chassis System. Their Sport Trim comes with a Sport Control AWD, which helps to provide a unique calibration with active suspension and a faster steering rack for an all around more exhilarating experience. And, there’s also a smart tow trailering system where you can tow up to 4,000 pounds easily.
The Cadillac XT6 AWD Crossover on the Upper West Side
Two thumbs up! We loved our experience and would love to learn more Cadillac as a brand and their other models. Visit their website for more information on their offerings, prices and styles.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
