Here’s How The Cadillac XT6 Trims Provide Different Driving Dynamics
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For the moment, the three-row, midsize-plus Cadillac XT6 luxury crossover is offered in two trim levels – Premium Luxury, and Sport. These two trims occupy opposing sides of Cadillac’s Y trim level strategy, although it should be noted that the XT6 is currently unavailable with a base model Luxury trim. While the Premium Luxury and Sport trims differ in terms of styling, there’s also a number of significant mechanical changes under the skin that render different driving dynamics, all of which we’re examining in the following post.
Broadly speaking, the Cadillac XT6 Sport is tuned to deliver a more agile driving experience, whereas the Premium Luxury is tuned with a greater emphasis on ride comfort. This is accomplished via unique mechanical changes, including tweaks to the AWD system, throttle mapping, suspension, and steering rack.
We’ve listed the various differences between these two trims below:
Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury
- Standard steering rack ratio
- Standard FWD with available AWD and active yaw control
- Passive suspension with isolation tuning and available active damping
- Throttle calibrations and shift points tuned for linear acceleration
Cadillac XT6 Sport
- Quicker steering rack ratio (15:1)
- Standard AWD with active yaw control
- Standard active damping suspension tuned for handling
- Sportier throttle map and shift calibrations
- Standard heavy-duty powertrain cooling
To note, the AWD system equipped in the Sport trim is labeled as Sport Control AWD with Active Yaw Control, and comes with electronically controlled twin clutches on either side of the Rear Drive Module and between the half-shafts. This enables precise torque distribution between the left and right wheels, and is similar to Audi’s quattro system, albeit with different implementation.
This same twin-clutch AWD is standard on the AWD Premium Luxury trim level. What’s more, Active Damping suspension is offered on the Premium Luxury trim with the optional Platinum Package. All Cadillac XT6 models are equipped with the naturally aspirated 3.6L LGX V6 gas engine, which produces 310 horsepower and mates to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
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This post was created in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.
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I can’t wait to see Nurburgring time for this one.
Can’t see why any of this matters when it pertains to such an undistinguished, anonymous looking vehicle. I know it’s supposed to be a Cadillac, but you could sure fool me – I still think it looks like a Honda Pilot.
Having been born and raised in a Cadillac family going back decades, I’m sorry to say these things, but wow – how the mighty have fallen. Here’s to the future……………..
Honda pilot. okay.
I’m with you about looking like a Honda Pilot. I always thought it looked like a Pilot from the windshield back. I think what does it is the rear side glass with that upward angle to it.
I’ve got a lot of gripes and concerns about Cadillac but the Y strategy isn’t one of them. I’d like to see maybe a bit more visual distinction but overall, a fairly well executed great idea.
I imagine wheel size has a significant impact on ride comfort, too.
I wonder if they’ll introduce a 2021 base model for rental sales, or would it compete with XT5?
Please compare the driving dynamics between trims for the other models, like CT4 + CT5.
Deserves the 3.0TT.
Deserves the 3.6 twin-turbo LF3 V6 from the old XTS VSport, that’s what it deserves. FWD-based motor and all, 410 hp. I will never understand why they didn’t put it in…
They didnt put that engine in it because the vast majority of people buying it dont care. Car enthusiasts do.
Yes it does. Nice engine already in stock to complete with the Lincoln Aviator
Does GM even care that there are some of us that wont buy the plain vanilla powertrain version regardless of it’s driving dynamics.? Ford has the ST trim SUV’s, Jeep has SRT, BMW has M, Mercedes has AMG, etc. GM has the slowly dying Camaro and the ultimate Corvette with nothing else for those of us looking for an upgraded SUV. Where are the V SUV’s w/o the extension cord?
No Cadillac engine compares to the Northstar. You didn’t need any worthless paddles on the wheel when you had an engine that when kicked at 70mph would still leave tire marks. The newer engines are wimpy. Even the CT5.
” when kicked at 70mph would still leave tire marks” …….LOL.
Maybe he meant oil marks