2022 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Volvo XC90

2022 Volvo XC90: Volvo had evolved significantly from its era of box-shaped cars and wagons from the 1970s to the 1990s. Even amidst its transformation, Volvo retained its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upmarket into the luxury class bracket. The significant change came after Ford sold Volvo to China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, when Volvo began anew with vehicle platforms created from scratch to support contemporary sedans and crossover SUVs.

The original XC90 debuted in 2003 and was produced with incremental updates until the 2015 model year. 2016 marked the introduction of the current XC90, Volvo’s flagship SUV built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

By 2022, the XC90 sported a refined stance and a captivating profile, showcasing an aerodynamic body that seemed to lean forward, prepared for launch. The long and sleek roofline gracefully concealed its spacious interior without projecting bulk and height. The SUV’s athleticism was emphasized by its pronounced wheel arches, and the snub nose brought to mind the upright grille of the iconic 245 wagon. Superior fit and finish underlined a sense of quality, while the LED detail in the headlights, known as “Thor’s Hammer,” playfully acknowledged its Swedish roots.

The XC90’s interior stood out with its “Scandinavian Modern” and “Swedish Luxury” design themes, featuring authentic natural wood and metal trim. Exquisite touches like the sliding wood tambour cover on the center console and the clear crystal gear selector signified genuine luxury. Although Volvo was committed to leather-free interiors by 2030, the XC90 still offered plush Nappa leather, necessary for ventilated front seats. The tailored wool blend upholstery, available as an alternative, promised durability and easy maintenance. During testing, the leather seats proved fortuitous in the high heat and humidity, and we recommended personally comparing the two options to see which best suits individual preferences.

2022 Cadillac XT6: Our 2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury test vehicle arrived with polished 20-inch alloy wheels, Stellar Black paint, and a Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior. Climbing in felt akin to donning a black suit and tie, poised to transport someone important.

While the XT6 had a generally appealing look, it was somewhat uninspired. The tall and narrow front running lights that tapered downwards gave an awkwardly vertical stance. The rear end had simple vertical taillights similar to GMC’s look and would have benefitted from a bit more distinctive design. Despite this, the XT6’s proportions conveyed a conservatively tailored image that aligned with Cadillac’s lineup.

The XT6 could be purchased in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, starting just under $50,000. Prices could climb quickly with options, and our well-equipped test vehicle came in at $73,565, featuring technologies like Super Cruise and Night Vision. While expensive, it aligned with a similarly optioned Volvo XC90, being slightly more affordable than a loaded Audi Q7.

Even though the XT6’s interior materials were rich and high-quality, visually, it lacked the luxury SUV appeal. Despite the affluent ambiance provided by materials like bronze-tinted carbon fiber trim, its control layout and displays felt generic, similar to lower-tier GM models. The absence of digital instrumentation further highlighted its shortcomings. The eight-inch touchscreen ran efficient software but was small and shared with less prestigious Chevrolet models. Although the technology was intuitive and reliable, it lacked the luxurious sparkle that might be expected, giving it a more utilitarian vibe.

2022 Volvo XC90: The XC90 offered three compelling powertrains. The T5 utilized a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the T6 boasted a supercharged and turbocharged variant. The T8 presented a plug-in hybrid option combining the supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor.

The T5 model generated 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with the T6 upping the ante to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The pinnacle T8 produced a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came with front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD), whereas the T6 and T8 models were exclusively AWD, with the T8 employing its electric motor to drive the rear wheels. All engines funneled power through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel requirements demanded Premium (91-octane) gasoline. The EPA estimated the T5 FWD at 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and the T5 AWD at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD achieved 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 achieved 27 mpg combined on gasoline alone or 55 mpge when used as a hybrid, offering an 18-mile electric range, which extended to 36 miles for the extended-range variant.

The XC90 excelled in its driving dynamics, handling nimbly despite its size. Body roll was minimal. The T8 Inscription extended range model showed spirited acceleration, with the electric motor delivering torque seamlessly, smoothing out power delivery and essentially eliminating turbo lag. Although not a performance beast, the XC90 was delightful and engaging to drive.

2022 Cadillac XT6: The Cadillac XT6 mirrored the engine offerings found in the GMC Acadia. The standard engine for the XT6 Luxury trim was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, driven through a nine-speed automatic transmission. This output was less than what the base versions of the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 offered.

Higher trims, Premium Luxury and Sport, employed a familiar 3.6-liter V6 delivering 310 hp and 271 lb-ft, without the benefit of turbocharging.

AWD was an available option for both engines. Our test vehicle featured AWD with selectable FWD mode and driving modes such as Tour and Sport. The V6 offered sufficient power, and in FWD, easy torque steer was notable. Enhanced sound deadening made for a quiet ride, with the V6 delivering a pleasant note.

The test XT6’s adaptive-damping suspension with 20-inch wheels provided remarkable athleticism and smooth riding over various road conditions. Despite this, the XT6 was oriented toward serenity rather than driving excitement. The steering felt overly smooth, and brakes were responsive but removed the fun factor. The panoramic sunroof, creaking and squeaking, was a minor annoyance, especially given the low mileage on the test vehicle.

Fuel economy for the V6 AWD was rated at 21 mpg combined by the EPA. Our tests returned 19.5 mpg under mixed driving conditions. It was reasonable to expect closer to 20 mpg under primarily FWD operation.

2022 Volvo XC90: The XC90 was flexible with six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations. The six-passenger option came with captain’s chairs and a center console, while the seven-passenger option had a three-across second-row seat. Access to the third row was user-friendly, but adult comfort was compromised by limited legroom and thigh support.

The XC90’s cargo capacity was impressive. It provided 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row, extended to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, varying by configuration, fit for smaller trailers or watercraft.

Ample interior storage complemented the XC90’s spacious cabin. There were substantial door pockets, seatback pockets, console storage, and a significant glove compartment. During our heatwave testing, the air conditioning performed admirably, rapidly cooling the interior and maintaining a comfortable environment.

2022 Cadillac XT6: The XT6, by comparison, felt narrower inside, reflecting its tall and trim exterior design. The front seats, especially with semi-aniline leather, were comfortable but lacked the broad adjustability and massage features of some rivals. The steering wheel was power-adjustable and heated, and the climate control worked efficiently.

Sliding second-row captain's chairs in the XT6 provided good legroom when fully retracted, but third-row space was less accommodating for adults. Adults would need to shift the second-row seats forward significantly to fit in the third row, which required some agility to access.

Interior storage was less generous than anticipated. The dashboard cubby and under-console bin were modest, and the tray beneath the console was difficult to access. Cargo-wise, the XT6 offered 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with it down, and maxing out at 78.7 cubic feet. Storage under the cargo floor added practical space for bags.

2022 Volvo XC90: Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system was pioneering but flawed. The nine-inch portrait touchscreen embraced familiar smartphone gestures but tended to be slow and occasionally glitchy. Apple CarPlay worked better, although the Android Auto functionality was untested.

The digital instrument panel was a 12.3-inch configuration, customizable and clear. An Advanced package offered a head-up display, a 360-degree camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The premium Harman Kardon sound system was standard, but audiophiles could opt for the impressive $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade.

Four USB ports were included, and the XC90 featured a WiFi hotspot with a complimentary trial. The Volvo Care app provided remote features like lock/unlock for four years without charge.

2022 Cadillac XT6: The XT6 impressed with a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision, and Super Cruise, yet fell short in other areas. It lacked digital gauges, relying on analog dials and a driver information display. The eight-inch touchscreen was small but efficient, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, and an embedded navigation system.

Voice recognition was intuitive but limited to non-climate functions. Gloss-black touch buttons on the dashboard echoed Cadillac’s problematic CUE systems, and orange seat ventilation lights were counterintuitive. Steering wheel button markings were hard to read during the day.

The Bose Performance Series audio system sounded great, and the digital rear camera improved visibility. The head-up display, however, was limited in scope compared to systems in some other GM vehicles.

2022 Volvo XC90: Volvo’s legacy of safety continued robustly with the 2022 XC90, manifesting the ambitious Vision 2020 campaign aimed at eliminating serious injuries or fatalities in new Volvo cars by 2020. The XC90 boasted an extensive suite of safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, and a sophisticated Pilot Assist system for partial autonomous driving on highways.

The XC90 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, underscoring Volvo's commitment to unparalleled safety.

2022 Cadillac XT6: The XT6, equipped with the Platinum Package, was replete with advanced driving-assistance and collision-avoidance systems. Notable inclusions were forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and Teen Driver technology. Super Cruise offered a unique hands-free driving experience on approved highways, alerting the driver to complex scenarios requiring manual control.

While Super Cruise was groundbreaking, it wasn’t perfect, faltering under specific conditions like inconsistently marked lanes and tight curves. The XT6, however, held a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, ensuring solid passive and active protection.