Automotive
Cadillac has officially put the XT6 on notice, confirming the three-row luxury SUV will exit the stage by the end of this year. For many, this might seem like a surprising move, especially in a market still obsessed with crossovers and SUVs. But for us, it’s more of a quiet “finally.” Despite being positioned as a premium family hauler, the XT6 never quite delivered on the promise Cadillac made — especially when measured against the iconic status of the Escalade.
Let’s be honest — the XT6 always felt like it was built to fill a gap in Cadillac’s lineup rather than to push the envelope of luxury or design. Since its 2019 debut, it played catch-up in a fiercely competitive midsize luxury SUV segment, yet never really caught the momentum we expected. While last year’s U.S. sales hit 20,225 units — a modest 5.8% increase over 2023 — those numbers are still less than half of what the Escalade pulled in. For a brand that prides itself on prestige, that’s telling.
Cadillac’s future is leaning heavily electric, with new EVs like the Optiq, Vistiq, Lyriq-V, and the Escalade IQL already making headlines. Yet Cadillac is still walking a dual path — an updated gas-powered Escalade has just hit the streets, and internal combustion isn’t disappearing from the brand’s plans until after 2030.
So where did the XT6 fall short? For starters, it lacked the distinctive character and upscale presence we expect from Cadillac. The interior design, while competent, didn’t feel special — certainly not when compared to rivals like the Lincoln Aviator, Audi Q7, or Acura MDX. And despite being a three-row SUV, it felt more like an overgrown XT5 than a true step toward Escalade-level opulence. It was a vehicle that checked boxes rather than turned heads.
This news also comes on the heels of Cadillac retiring the smaller XT4 and prepping to sunset the XT5 in 2026. Interestingly, these models will continue on in China, where Cadillac’s joint venture with SAIC keeps them relevant — and even refreshed. The Chinese-market XT5 just received a facelift, but don’t expect that updated version to make its way stateside.
Cadillac is clearly drawing a line between its past and its future. The XT6, along with its XT4 and XT5 siblings, represented an era of conventional luxury crossovers. But the brand is moving toward a portfolio that looks sleeker, more tech-forward, and — at least in concept — more fitting of a luxury nameplate trying to reinvent itself in a post-combustion world.
While the XT6 was a solid family option with a premium badge, it never reached for more. And that’s why, as it disappears from showrooms, we’re not exactly mourning the loss. Cadillac’s future looks more daring — and that’s exactly what it needs.
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