The new Cadillac XT6 is a much-needed addition to the luxury brand’s vehicle lineup. Featuring three rows of seating for either six of seven passengers, depending on the configuration, the “midsize plus” crossover slots above the midsize Cadillac XT5 and below the full-size Escalade. We recently got our hands on XT6 specs, which enables us to take a look at how these mechanically-related crossovers compare in terms of size and dimensions in todays’s installment of the GM Authority Dimensional Comparison.
Platform
Before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s set a baseline to better understand what we’re dealing with here. All of the models that are part of this Dimensional Comparison are based on the GM C1 platform (pronounced “Chi”). However, there are three different versions of the C1 architecture.
The first is the original, short-wheelbase version. This one has a wheelbase of 112.5 inches and underpins the Cadillac XT5 and the second-generation GMC Acadia. The second is the long-wheelbase version with a wheelbase of 120.9 inches. This one underpins the second iterations of the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave. And that brings us to the third C1 platform variant.
The third version is based on the original, short-wheelbase version of C1, but with a few minor improvements, the most notable of which (on paper) is the addition of 0.2 inches to the wheelbase. It’s this platform that the Cadillac XT6 is based on.
Exterior
The Cadillac XT6 features a longer, more traditional roof line and a longer rear overhang when compared to the XT5. Both of those elements enable the XT6 its two biggest differentiators – a third row and significantly more cargo room.
| XT5 | XT6 | Acadia | Traverse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase: | 112.5 | 112.7 | 112.5 | 120.9 |
| Length: | 189.5 | 198.8 | 193.6 | 204.3 |
| Width: | 75 | 77.3 | 75.4 | 78.6 |
| Height: | 66 | 68.9 | 66 | 70.7 |
| Front track: | 64.4 | 66.4 | 64.5 | 67.3 |
| Rear track: | 64.4 | 66.2 | 64.5 | 67 |
Compared to the XT5, the XT6 is 9.3 inches longer, 2.3 inches wider and 2.9 inches taller, while having a wheelbase that’s 0.2 inches (5 mm) longer. It also has wider front and rear tracks. That story repeats itself when it comes to the GMC Acadia: the XT6 is 5.2 inches longer, 1.9 inches wider, 2.9 inches taller, with a wheelbase that’s 0.2 inches longer. The XT6 has wider tracks – 1.9 inches in the front and 1.7 in the rear. Before you ask, the XT6 does – in fact – have a wider track at the front than at the rear.
Meanwhile, the XT6 is notably smaller than the gargantuan Chevy Traverse in all dimensions. Compared to the Traverse, the XT6 has a wheelbase that’s 8.2 inches shorter, overall length is down 5.5 inches, width is down 1.3 inches, height is down 1.8 inches, and the tracks are down 0.9 and 0.8 inches, respectively.
Interior
Inside, the Cadillac XT5 and XT6 use identical cockpits. For this reason, they have very similar dimensions in the first row. Things change significantly from there on forward. Compared to the XT5, the XT6 has more headroom in both the first and second row as well as identical first row legroom but slightly less second row legroom (in order to make room for that third row). First room shoulder room is identical for the XT5 and XT6, but the XT6 has more second row shoulder room. The same holds true when it comes to hip room: both the XT5 and XT6 have the same amounts of hip room in the first row, but the XT6 has more in the second row.
| XT5 | XT6 | Acadia | Traverse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total maximum passengers: | 5 | 6 or 7 | 6 or 7 | 7 or 8 |
| First row: | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Second row: | 3 | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 | 2 or 3 |
| Third row: | None | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Compared to the GMC Acadia, the XT6 has less headroom in the first and second rows, and an identical amount in the third row. First row legroom is nearly identical, but legroom in the second and third rows trails that of the Acadia. Shoulder room also trails that of the Acadia in every row, while hip room is higher in the XT6 in both the first and second rows, while being lower in the third row.
Compared to the Chevy Traverse, the XT6 has more second row legroom. All other interior metrics are down compared to the biggest Chevy.
| XT5 | XT6 | Acadia | Traverse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First row headroom: | 38.4 | 39.8 | 40.3 | 41.3 |
| Second row headroom: | 36 | 39.1 | 39.6 | 40 |
| Third row headroom: | N/A | 37.2 | 37.2 | 38.2 |
| First row legroom: | 41.2 | 41.2 | 41 | 41 |
| Second row legroom: | 39.5 | 39.1 | 39.7 | 38.4 |
| Third row legroom: | N/A | 29.5 | 31.1 | 33.5 |
| First row shoulder room: | 58.3 | 58.3 | 59.4 | 62.1 |
| Second row shoulder room: | 56.2 | 57.4 | 58.7 | 62.2 |
| Third row shoulder room: | N/A | 53.5 | 54.3 | 57.5 |
| First row hip room: | 56 | 56.1 | 55.7 | 58.1 |
| Second row hip room: | 54.7 | 55.7 | 53.3 | 56.9 |
| Third row hip room: | N/A | 39.5 | 42.9 | 48.5 |
Cargo Capacity
The cargo department is where the differences between these four crossovers truly come to light.
The XT5 has notably less cargo volume than the XT6 – both with the rear seat upright and folded. The GMC Acadia features similar levels of cargo capacity as the XT6, while the huge Traverse reigns supreme, demonstrating the palatial cargo prowess of long-wheelbase models.
| XT5 | XT6 | Acadia | Traverse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behind first row: | 63 | 78.7 | 79 | 98.2 |
| Behind second row: | 30 | 43.1 | 41.7 | 58.1 |
| Behind third row: | N/A | 12.6 | 12.8 | 23 |
About The Numbers
- Exterior dimensions in inches (imperial) or millimeters (metric). Height measurements do not include luggage/roof rack.
- Interior dimensions in inches (imperial) or millimeters (metric). Measurements taken with models with sunroof.
- Seating capacity measurements represent people.
- Cargo volume in cubic feet (imperial) or liters (metric).
- Buick Enclave not included in comparison since its dimensions are nearly identical to those of Chevrolet Traverse.
For those who prefer metric units, we have just the thing.
| XT5 | XT6 | Acadia | Traverse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase: | 2858 | 2863 | 2858 | 3071 |
| Length: | 4813 | 5050 | 4917 | 5189 |
| Width: | 1905 | 1964 | 1915 | 1996 |
| Height: | 1676 | 1750 | 1676* | 1795 |
| Front track: | 1636 | 1686 | 1638 | 1709 |
| Rear track: | 1636 | 1682 | 1638 | 1702 |
| XT5 | XT6 | Acadia | Traverse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First row headroom: | 975 | 1010 | 1024 | 1049 |
| Second row headroom: | 914 | 993 | 1006 | 1016 |
| Third row headroom: | N/A | 945 | 945 | 970 |
| First row legroom: | 1046 | 1046 | 1041 | 1042 |
| Second row legroom: | 1003 | 994 | 1008 | 985 |
| Third row legroom: | N/A | 750 | 790 | 851 |
| First row shoulder room: | 1481 | 1482 | 1509 | 1577 |
| Second row shoulder room: | 1427 | 1459 | 1491 | 1580 |
| Third row shoulder room: | N/A | 1360 | 1379 | 1460 |
| First row hip room: | 1422 | 1424 | 1415 | 1476 |
| Second row hip room: | 1389 | 1416 | 1354 | 1445 |
| Third row hip room: | N/A | 1003 | 1090 | 1232 |
| XT5 | XT6 | Acadia | Traverse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behind first row: | 1784 | 2228 | 2237 | 2781 |
| Behind second row: | 849 | 1220 | 1181 | 1645 |
| Behind third row: | N/A | 356 | 362 | 651 |
About Cadillac XT6
The Cadillac XT6 is a three-row premium luxury crossover. The model represents a new addition to the Cadillac model range as part of the brand's crossover expansion strategy. It slots above the the compact Cadillac XT4 and midsize Cadillac XT5 in the Cadillac crossover SUV lineup. Its size classification can be best described as "midsize plus", as it is bigger than midsize but not big enough to be classified as full-size.
The XT6 was announced at the 2019 North American International Auto Show in January 2019 and goes on sale in the spring of the 2019 calendar year as a 2020 model. It is based on the regular-length variant of the GM C1 platform shared with the XT5, but with more rear overhang than the XT5. That extended rear overhang enables it to accommodate a third row. The rest of the vehicle is very similar to the XT5, including its engine, transmission, and cockpit.
The XT5 is produced at the following GM plants globally:
- GM Spring Hill factory in Tennessee or GM Lansing Delta plant operated by GM USA supplying North American markets
- Cadillac China Jinqiao factory operated by Shanghai-GM supplying the Chinese market
Related News & Info
- GM news
- GM forums
- Cadillac XT6 information
- Running GM sales results
- Running Cadillac sales results
- Running Cadillac XT6 sales results
- Running Cadillac sales results
Comments
Who cares! XT6 Lame exterior though it does like nice in white. Horrible interior.
Meanwhile at MB. They have laid a plan of their cars until 2023, while Cadillac a new Cadillac every 6 months until 2021
https://www.automobilemag.com/news/mercedes-benz-deep-dive-future-vehicles-2019-2022/
A, CLA, GLB, GLE, GLE, CLE Coupe, GLS Maybach, EQC (instead of some random drawing of an Electric SUV without a name), THE KING S-Class, SL, C class and several others.
MB – this is what we have coming out…
Cadillac – you will see what we have coming…
Who cares? All the people and families who will buy the XT6 in droves, that’s who.
The XT6 will outsell any Mercedes-Benz crossover out there based on its positioning and target market.
That’s not at all a knock against anything by Mercedes. Heck, I have an SL55 in my garage as I write this. But don’t disparage the Cadillac strategy; they know exactly what they’re doing with the XT6, no matter if enthusiasts like it or not.
LOL you are a joke just like Cadillac.
Who cares are the people who bought the RX, GLC, Q5 and X3 over the XT5.
You’re really funny! You have wishful thinking about what CHEVROLLAC will do, but the reality is that the GLE, X5, are already hear kicking butt and buyers are buying them in drones. Not so much Cadillac. I guess you have a majic wand that will make buyers do this? Where is Cadillac? A warmed up Chevy to complete with two global brands.
Cadillac strategy has not know what do to for the last 40 years sir. Failure after failure that a FACT… Hmmm, they know what to do? Sure
Lets fact check
1980s Cadillac that 4-6-8 engine, Cimmaron, Allante! They know what to do. Did they learn? You tell me. 1990s LEXUS KILLED IT. Lesson learned not?
THe CATERA, XLR, ELR, ATS, CTS (though great driving car) failure. So please cite other than the Escalade any sucess Cadillac has had. Yes, your right they know what to do and what the pubic wants.
It’s amazing when the truth about Chevallac is mentioned these fan boys wanna thumbs down. Guess what the public said thumbs down to Sedan DeVille, Fleetwood, Seville, Eldorado, Catara, Cimmaron, XLR, ELR, ATS, CTS and many other piss poor Cadillac models since the early 1980s.
3,5,6,8 series, C,E,S,SL, LS, ES,RX, those brands have est names that peoplw know and trust. Cadillac lets keep trying to find ourself and make dumpters on wheels.
Coming from the self-proclaimed GM fanboy who always claims the higher ground on GM against people who offer qualified opinion on the mistakes GM is making (like firing 20K workers and trying to make cars in Communist China), ADMITS HE OWNS AND DRIVES A MERCEDES.
The lefties are always the biggest hypocrites, aren’t they? Like the “eco-activist” types who fly around in private jets while lecturing the common man.
Hey Ruskie, don’t you have a breadline or something you should be standing in?
Why don’t you go troll your comrades over at YugoAuthority?
I agree, _vorg, it is great to see the left-wing extremists collapsing in this country under their own stupidity and hypocrisy. People aren’t fooled anymore by the Hollywood leftist millionaires who fly those private jets around the world lecturing people on the “environment”…Same leftist who ride in gas-powered large SUV limosines and own mega-mansions that eat up fossil fuels by the ton to heat and cool them. Must be nice to tell other people what to do but not have to do it yourself. Right, Bernie?
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Fiat Chrysler will be adding more than 6,500 JOBS in Michigan (Detroit area), doubling its hourly workforce as part of a 4.5 Billion Dollar investment. Thank you Fiat Chrysler. They are all coming back to the USA, it’s where the action is!
At least the XT6 is made in America.
Never cease to amaze me how other car companies can produce cars in America and make money but GM claim they can’t. Pretty soon there will be no more made in America product by American Companies.
Just about everything else that’s made in America is made by Foreign companies. I would hate to see the Two remaining American car companies go the same way.
I disparage GM’s Cadillac strategy. For the simple fact that as the 4th largest automaker in global market share, GM is too big NOT to have a properly differentiated CUV lineup. As you commented in a previous post, General Motors had the opportunity to make one of the RWD/AWD platforms suitable for CUV duty, but chose not to. What I’m saying, and have always said, is that GM is wasting enormous potential, particularly with pricing power. Now, every brand lower than Cadillac has to hold themselves back to avoid stepping on Cadillac’s toes.
This puts GM’s upscale brands at risk of losing comparison tests to mainstream offerings like the Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-9. Why would shoppers (especially value-minded soccer moms) choose a XT6 over one of those?
Would you agree with me if I said people who want more than 350 HP, or more than 6 cylinders, or even a slightly better driving experience, is willing to pay much more than people who don’t care?
Yes, the soccer mom crowd buys the lion’s share of these CUVs. The problem is that the ENTIRE portfolio caters to this crowd, while competitors like VW Group and Hyundai-Kia (via Genesis) offer CUVs that cater to BOTH soccer moms and enthusiasts. Who’s to say a soccer mom wouldn’t appreciate a 400 HP TTV6 in a rear-biased AWD vehicle?
GM is like an ice cream parlor that only offers slightly different flavors of vanilla. What’s the point of having multiple brands if none are truly allowed to go in different directions in product execution?
I have been thinking that for years. Even wrote a letter to GM expressing my feelings. Got a form letter back thanking me for my interest and blah blah blah and an offer to buy a GM vehicle. I think our chance of seeing Cadillac take its proper place in the industry are slim and none.
too small, Cadillac needs something along the demensions of a Lincoln Aviator
Why and how is it that the Acadia that is almost 5 inches shorter,almost 2 inches narrower and loses almost 3 inches in height have more interior space in so many areas than the XT6?
A big part of the answer to that question is in the design/treatment of the bumpers.
Notice how the Acadia’s rear bumper cover is almost flush with its liftgate… while that of the XT6 protrudes. There’s a good 2 inches in length right there alone.
At the end of the day, both the Acadia and XT6 are well-packaged. From a purely subjective standpoint, the XT6 feels more substantial both inside and out.
I was going to say the Acadia is packaged well and the numbers here prove it.
Even with the sun roofs there is tons of head room.
The XT 6 in camo looked about the same size as my Acadia on the outside. It is close.
Why didn’t you add Blazer to your XT6 comparison?
XT6 and Blazer share identical wheelbase, front and rear track.
Why? Because Blazer dimensions are almost identical to those of the XT5, inside and out.
The VERY long awaited XT6 has a wheelbase .02 longer than the CT5…. GM is so pathetic. The previous Buick Enclave platform lasted 10 years yet Cadillac never got a version. Now we’ve waited for this and it’s really nothing more than a slightly bigger XT5 with identical interiors. The 5 is already considered “dated” so why did these 6 take so long and is absolutely nothing special. Why can’t GM “over deliver” for once? I can’t wait for Typhoid Mary to move HQ to China because this company is an absolute embarrassment….
Correct. It’s a longer XT5… and like the XT5, it will sell really well and make Cadillac/GM money hand over fist.
Absolute embarrassment, eh?
This isn’t a performance offering… and this isn’t Cadillac’s flagship crossover. But sure, continue with your commentary without understanding the strategy.
So, the XT5 sold 8000 fewer units in 18 as 17 so selling “really well” is really what subjective? It’s hardly a smash hit and most reviews put it at “near” premium and I’ve never seen a review where it competes w/BMW, MB or Audi it’s only Lexus, Infiniti or Acura which is not premium. Those cars, for the most part are glorified Toyotas, Nissans or Honda’s. (the RDX recently beat the new XT4 in comparison… pathetic) This positioning is for Buick not Cadillac.
Caddy should be in every Mercedes conversation and it simply isn’t and the XT6, after waiting over a decade for a premium 3-seater, we get a stretched version of a platform that’s 3 yrs. into its cycle. That strategy is a way of boosting short term stock prices, not bringing in tons of conquest buyers from THE luxury leaders and reestablishing a global luxury brand.
Don’t get me wrong, I very much wanted the XT6 to be fantastic, it’s simply not and I’ve not read a single review when it was announced, that praised it as exactly what Cadillac needs to push the resurgence. It’s a cheap way to take existing platforms and make them slightly nicer charge a lot more, then heavily discount, and fill a void in a portfolio. A local dealer is discounting XT5’s by over $7500. and I’ve never seen Mercedes do that? This “strategy” is not a way to show the world Cadillac’s are sophisticated, premium vehicles that absolutely meet and beat the world’s best. That said the CT6-V is a fantastic car, I love it, but the strategy of 4-cylinder full size Caddy sedans was dumb and cheap, so instead of making it world class, they’re killing it. This company is a joke…. You might be an expert but as a consumer the Lincoln Aviator is a premium vehicle, the XT6 (alphanumerics stink too) is a nicer Chevy and barely worth the price, after the discounts.
I think this is where Cadillac can veer the buyers for the RXL since it’s a little bigger than the RXL. Just not sure if it would cannabilize the Enclave sales as the Enclave is equally luxurious
Speaking of the Lexus RX, has the Cadillac XT5 EVER outsold the Lexus RX? What about the Gen2 SRX?
I think trying to court Lexus RX buyers is a losing strategy for GM, simply because that target market (affluent soccer moms) prioritize reliability and a trouble-free ownership experience. Lexus has that reputation, GM has the opposite.
What GM DOES have, is strong performance credibility, which is squandered entirely by their CUV portfolio.
This must mean the XT6 has a significantly higher floor and/or higher seats than Acadia. Does the 2nd row slide back & forth?
I don’t see the point of a Cadillac Traverse-based crossover. One more passenger?
An Omega-based large CUV could handle the V8, but: not as good for towing as Escalade, too tall for fun handling. Lower step-in height would be nice.
Rather get Acadia Denali. Both have same old boring 3.6L V6 except one is a lot cheaper.
From C&D, Enclave Third Row Head Room: 37.6 in. versus 38.2 for Traverse.
I knew there was a penalty for the sloping roofline.
36 In. for the XT5 is horrible.
The plain exterior of the XT6 would make for a great Chevy but it does not befit a high priced luxury sport cruiser.
GM Design Studio needs an enema.
your cadillacnonsense would fit Buick lineup better. shock oh my Buick would sales would grow maybe even allow market share to grow. if you know what that means or even care. Cadillac reminds me of your Saturn disaster. careful or history will repeat itself Buick gets closer to the the cliff every quarter. You need all new top management. better yet a new owner.