Jill Weinlein
An ideal car for a family of four to six people is the Cadillac 2022 XT6 Premium Luxury AWD. Not only is the mid-size SUV stylish in design, it’s roomy for driving kids to school, sporting events across town and during family vacations.
Safety is what makes Cadillac stand out. The 2022 XT6 offers blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. There is a following distance indicator and innovative safety alert seats. Both sides of the driver seat automatically pulsate to identify the direction of an approaching object or potential crash. This allows the driver to quickly take action to avoid or reduce the severity of a front-end collision. This sensory feature also alerts drivers on both the left and right sides of the driver’s seat to avoid side mishaps.
Families stay safe when the front pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, and rear seat reminder activate. This last feature alerts the driver and front seat passenger that there is a shopping bag, dog, child or item on one of the rear seats.
The driver and front passenger seating has a standard heating feature and power seat adjustment for a comfortable ride. Buckling in while seated offers an automatic belt-tightening hug after the click-in to make sure passengers are snug and safe.
Jill Weinlein
This three-row SUV can seat up to seven people in its base configuration. The Cadillac I drove accommodated 6 people comfortably. The second row offers two comfortable captain-style chairs that are perfect for infant and toddler car seats. For installing child safety seats, there are complete sets of LATCH connectors for the second-row outboard seats, as well as tether anchors for the third-row seats. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this system the second-highest rating of Acceptable for its ease of use.
There’s a good amount of passenger space behind the second and first rows, so no little one can kick the driver’s seat in this car. The second and third rows can automatically fold down flat with the push of a button. This also allows easier access to the third row and plenty of cargo room for shopping bags, sporting equipment, suitcases for a driving trip, and visits to the local nursery for plants and flowers.
Each row gets a pair of cupholders, and each door gets pockets for storing small items.
Jill Weinlein
Cadilac’s hands-free power liftgate is activated with the key fob in your hand, pocket or handbag. Just approach the liftgate and a Cadillac logo projection will automatically turn on as you get within 6 feet of the rear of the vehicle.
One can also press a button on the back door by the license plate to have the liftgate rise. Another button inside can be pushed to have the liftgate close. The liftover height is high, allowing ease when loading cargo.
Jill Weinlein
Driving is fun in four different modes – Tour, Sport, AWD and Off-Road. There is a small center armrest storage area with a hidden charging outlet.
Wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability allow every family member the ability to charge their phone. Music streaming and navigation services are crystal clear through the XT6’s available Bose Performance Series 14-speaker audio system.
What was an adjustment to my eyes was the rearview camera mirror. Looking into the mirror I could not see the passengers behind me, instead there was a digital screen widening my field of vision, including blindspots, that I would not have been able to see with a conventional rearview mirror. Objects behind the car appeared closer to the rear bumper than they actually were.
Jill Weinlein
Cadillac provides a basic bumper-to-bumper warranty for the first four years or 50,000 miles, with the powertrain covered for six years or 70,000 miles – considerably more than its German rivals that limit powertrain coverage to the same four-year/50,000-mile period. One complimentary scheduled maintenance visit for the XT6 is also included.
The XT6 starts at $48,595, making it one of the least expensive luxury mid-size SUVs. The top-of-the-line XT6 Sport starts at $58,295.
