Cadillac XT6 vs Mazda CX-50

The 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. It exuded a sense of sophistication, making one feel as though they should be dressed in formal attire, ready to chauffeur someone important. The XT6's design was attractive but somewhat bland, with towering front running lights that made it appear too tall and narrow. The rear taillights were reminiscent of GMC's design, and while the overall look was conservatively tailored, it didn't stand out in the luxury SUV market.

In contrast, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, and a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels, showcasing Mazda's signature subtle seductiveness. The CX-50 added a rugged touch with blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body cladding, and fake skid plates. The oversized air intake and vent designs were eye-catching without being offensive. When paired with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, the CX-50's exterior design elements came together appealingly. The upcoming CX-50 Meridian Edition promised even more rugged features, including exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, and a roof-mounted load platform.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 employed the same engines as the GMC Acadia. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which was less than the base versions of the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims used a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available with both engines, and the V6 provided sufficient power, though it lacked the turbocharged zing of its competitors. The XT6's adaptive-damping performance suspension and 20-inch wheels made it remarkably athletic on twisty roads, but it leaned more towards serenity than excitement. The official EPA fuel economy rating for the XT6 V6 with AWD was 21 mpg in combined driving, but our test vehicle returned 19.5 mpg.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model had a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque, expected to return 27 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo variants featured a turbocharged version of the same engine, producing up to 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on 93-octane fuel. The turbo engine provided smooth acceleration and a broad power curve, with minimal turbo lag. The CX-50's driving modes (Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing) worked with G-Vectoring Control technology to ensure natural vehicle behavior. The CX-50 felt more like a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment, offering a firm ride quality and up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance. The turbo model averaged 23.4 mpg in our tests.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6's interior felt unexpectedly narrow due to its relationship with the GMC Acadia. The power-adjustable front seats were comfortable, especially with the Platinum option package's semi-aniline leather, but they lacked the range of adjustment and massage functions found in some rivals. The second-row captain's chairs offered good legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. The XT6 provided 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and a maximum of 78.7 cubic feet.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50's interior featured power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats. The driver and front passenger seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy enough for adults, and the rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle for easy entry and exit. Storage space was adequate, with a few missed opportunities for additional bins. The CX-50 offered 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered impressive features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free highway driving-assistance system. However, it fell short with its analog gauges and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the gloss-black touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive seat ventilation indicators were drawbacks. The available Bose Performance Series premium audio system sounded great, but the head-up display was small and unimpressive.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with a Mazda Connect infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base model had an 8.8-inch display, while higher trims included a 10.25-inch display. Mazda Connect historically lacked touchscreen control, but the CX-50 allowed touchscreen functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system delivered a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display (head-up display) provided useful information, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered a comprehensive suite of driving-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The standout feature was the Super Cruise system, which allowed hands-free driving on approved highways. However, it had limitations, such as inconsistent lane-keeping and braking performance. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to perform well in safety tests, like other Mazda models. It came with a generous standard package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus trim. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead, but overall, the systems worked well.