The last time we saw the 2020 Cadillac XT6 (in April), the prototype was wearing a bunch of heavy padding that prevented us from getting a good look at details like the treatments of the C- and D-pillars as well as the side-rear window. But these new shots we just got our hands on show a new prototype with tight-fitting camo wrap, giving us a much better look at Cadillac’s upcoming upcoming three-row.
Front End
A pair of narrow, horizontally-shaped headlights are present on this Cadillac XT6 tester, maintaining Cadillac’s new design direction introduced by the 2019 CT6 and 2019 XT4. Though the camo does a great job of obfuscating it, Cadillac’s signature vertical lighting treatment is present and accounted for, peeking from underneath the wrap via a small, barely-noticeable light.
The hood is wearing a funny-looking dome that’s large and in charge, but one that’s also most definitely fake. Cadillac used a similar trick on the CT5 prototype in the past. The camo does a fine job covering the grille treatment, but there’s no reason to expect anything other than Cadillac’s new mesh-style grille previewed by the Escala Concept and subsequently launched by the refreshed CT6 and new XT4.
Side Profile
The side profile shows the size of the Cadillac XT6 better than any prior photos: the three-row XT6 is quite big. We expect that its dimensions will place it into the “midsize plus” space, meaning that the XT6 will be notably longer than the XT5 but not quite as long as the Chevy Traverse and Buick Enclave that ride on the same architecture.
The side mirrors are mounted using a pedestal-type mount. The rear door is quite large, and its window features an appropriately-large glass with a forward-leaning C-pillar treatment. The rear glass above the cargo area is also quite large, while the D-pillars have an even larger forward rake than their C-pillar counterparts. The roofline is relatively flat, but tapers slightly after the C-pillar. Meanwhile, the side profile shows a rather large, overhang-style spoiler affixed to the liftgate, which is hiding the rear window wiper.
Rear End
The rear end of the Cadillac XT6 features a rather long overhang followed and an expansive rear glass. The taillamp design will not follow that of the XT4, which starts at the roof, runs vertically, and then curves in horizontally. Instead, the XT6’s rear lights appears to start at the rear bumper cover, run vertically to the area below the rear window, and expand horizontally in two directions – toward the center of the liftgate and toward the front of the vehicle.
However, the noticeable kink in the camo just fore of the D-pillar makes us wonder if camouflage designers are trying to fool, and that the XT6 will actually have a rear lighting treatment similar to that of the XT4.
About Cadillac XT6
The Cadillac XT6 is expected to be based on the extended-length version of the GM C1 platform, and the long wheelbase will enable sufficient third row space and cargo room that are vital for shoppers in this segment. The transverse-engine, front-drive architecture currently underpins the second-generation Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave, both of which launched for the 2018 model year. The shorter wheelbase version of the same architecture underpins the Cadillac XT5 and second-gen GMC Acadia, which launched for the 2017 model year.
It’s rumored that the XT6 will give customers a choice of two six-cylinder engines – a naturally-aspirated V6 as standard, and a more powerful turbo-charged version as an option. There also might be a plug-in hybrid model. Don’t hold your breath for an eight-cylinder, such as the new Cadillac 4.2L Twin-Turbo V-8 LTA engine.
The XT6 is of significant importance to Cadillac, as the brand currently lacks an offering in the large luxury crossover segment that is already quite large and is projected to continue growing. In that regard, the XT6 will be the first three-row Cadillac crossover that will provide an alternative to the three-row, body-on-frame Escalade. The model will slot above the XT5 and below the Escalade in the Cadillac utility lineup. It’s currently unclear whether Cadillac will offer an even larger, more expensive crossover on the rear-drive Omega platform.
When it launches next year, the Cadillac XT6 will compete with other large or “midsize plus” luxury CUVs, including the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Lexus RX-L. Ford Motor Company will also have an entry in this space with the future Lincoln Aviator.
Expect the 2020 XT6 to make its public debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2019, and begin reaching dealers in May 2019 for the 2020 model year.
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Comments
FWD.
Nope. Thanks.
Yeah the side profile looks pretty bad on this one. I don’t understand why Audi and Volvo can hide their front wheel drive proportions so well, and General Motors can’t.
This looks like the Acadia chassis, which has a pretty bad front overhang and cowl/front axle ratio even by mainstream front wheel drive crossover standards.
If XT6 buyers have to put up with a chassis like that, Cadillac has better get literally everything else right.
It’s a shame. The XT4 and XT5 would look so much better if their front axles were moved just a couple of inches forward.
True.. Hate the FWD proportions. Thanks GOD, this is the last car with the FWD platform. XT4-XT6 second gen will be RWD.
Like you were going to buy it anyways. Most of the people who bitch and complain about the driving dynamics of a FAMILY Suv weren’t going to buy it anyways.
Give me a break.
Probably will be offered in AWD guise only. Not unlike the Macan which is built on the MLB platform which is FWD in basic form.
I’m hoping the XT6 has motorized second row seats which will bring value to this segment among other segment firsts. Cadillac needs a home run with this.
This a huge need for the Cadillac brand. They cannot afford to mess this one up. At the price point where this car will be at, GM better not even allow any price cutting in materials and options on this thing. Not my cup of tea per say for a vehicle but it is a must have for families. Cadillac better nail the interior on this one. Better be best they’ve ever done to date.
XT4 is not messed up, neither will be XT6.
XT4 is a pleasant surprise, although I think they could offer more standard active safety gear just to shut the car reviewers up.
It honestly looks like Cadillac did their homework on the XT4.
Only thing that I find is a crazy missing option on the new XT4 is a Release Tabs/levers in the rear Cargo/Boot area to drop the rear seats. Like come on GM. How much did you save on leaving that option out that could potentially cost you a sale. People demand these things now. anything that has to do with ease of use cannot be left out like this.
The Level 1 specs on Cadillacs should include many features and that reduces engineering development costs as well as assembly costs.
The proliferation of things like wiring harnesses is a huge cost driver. Ditto with high cost items like bumper fascias / headlamps.
Hope it ends up looking more SUVish (XC90) & less Crossoverish (Enclave).
Cadillac needs to get this right, to say a lot is riding on the XT6, is an understatement.
The XT6 could be Cadillac’s most important & most successful product.
XC90 has beautiful proportions. Better than the Q7 even.
I think Cadillac needs to scale back on the vertical lighting elements on the front end and just fully adopt the Escala look. The vertical elements on the XT5 and XT4 sort of make the front end look more awkward. That honestly hasn’t translated well to any Cadillac that features although it’s much better on the XT4 than the XT5 or the XTS.
They may be doing the full Escala front end with the XT6. Which means this could really be a looker.
“In that regard, the XT6 will be the first three-row Cadillac crossover that will provide an alternative to the three-row, body-on-frame Escalade.”
What about the SRX? 3 rows…!
The first-gen SRX was a two-row crossover with a third row option. The XT6 will be the first all-time three-row crossover.
I’m almost positive that the SRX came standard with 3 rows. I didn’t know anyone who did not have the 3rd row. The 3rd row did not show under “options” on the window sticker either.
I had a 2007 that was a 2 row. It ended up having 3 separate hidden storage bins in the cargo area, where as the 3 row had 1 to store the headrests, but all the cup holders and everything were still there.
“In that regard, the XT6 will be the first three-row Cadillac crossover that will provide an alternative to the three-row, body-on-frame Escalade.”
What about the SRX? It had 3 rows…
Show me
We owned a 2009 model year with the 3rd row seat option. https://www.cars.com/research/cadillac-srx-2009/
From what I see here the wheel base looks much closer to my Acadia but it may have a little bit more rear over hang on the rear axle.
If they added rear overhang would help the third seat and cargo area where the Acadia gets tight.
Well written post, in this post you are moving a very important problem.
Poorly written bot script. Poor coding results from a poor education.
Better have the 3.0TT. And like I’ve stated before, how about that panaray sound system?
I completely agree with you. I loathe that Cadillac is still pumping out the 3.6 Corporate V6 engine. I mean you have your very own 3.0TT to use, stop being cheap GM.
I expect an Escala upkick in the beltline at the D pillar, since Cadillac is turning away from the wedge. Also the fin, unfortunately.
One odd thing is the short windshield (or is it a raised roof compared to Acadia?).
I hope the third row doesn’t compromise second row comfort and space as it does in the Lambda CUVs, whose floor level was too high due to the mechanicals.
I really hope Cadillac and GM have a good product here. This could be one of the most important vehicles for Cadillac. The Lincoln Aviator looks pretty promising, GM can’t afford to cost cut here.
Regarding the 2020 XT6 Engine choice (3.6L V6 310HP from GM) Why not use the 3.6L Twin-Turbo setup from the 2019 XTS V-Sport which has 410HP and increase the torque (from 369-lb/ft) to about 400 lb/ft.? This is also a front wheel drive setup and a more logical choice to be a more compatible match for the 400HP Lincoln Aviator Crossover. (standatd engine) This would also further differentiate the brand from the Buick Enclave & Chevy Traverse. Push the envelope even further than your competition. Let THIS be the standard engine and then consider a V-Version in the future. The XTS will be discontinued (been around since 2013) but the engine in the V-Sport Platinum is a great one. Tweak it and squeeze more HP & Torque, and present it as a brand new FWD HP V-version.
That makes too much sense for it to happen.
The biggest problem is that I’m pretty sure the XTS engine uses a previous generation of the 3.6, since it came out in 2014-15.
As usual for GM, they’ll save the better engine for the second year of the model.
Right after posting this, and upon doing further research, I read that Cadillac will actually offer 2 engines for the upcoming 2020 XT6, the second one being the 3.0L TT V6 from the current CT6 which makes 400BHP and 400lbs/ft torque. Same thought but a more current engine. Great Choice!