The seven-passenger Cadillac XT6 first rolled off the line for the 2020 model year as the penultimate utility vehicle in the luxury marque’s lineup, slotting above the popular XT5 and below the iconic Cadillac Escalade. However, the XT6’s positioning in the Cadillac model lineup as a three-row, midsize-plus crossover begs the question – will Caddy offer a new utility model that bridges the gap between the XT6 and Escalade? Cadillac Society has now learned that such a model is not part of the product plan.
Cadillac XT6
First, a quick overview. Looking over Cadillac’s current utility lineup, we find that the Cadillac XT6 starts at $48,000, while just below it, the Cadillac XT5 starts at $44,000 – a difference of just $4,000. However, above the XT6 sits the Cadillac Escalade, which starts at just over $76,000 – a massive $28,000 difference in starting price compared to that of the XT6.
| Segment | C | D | E | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle | XT4 | XT5 | XT6 | Escalade |
| Starting Price | $35,795 | $45,995 | $47,995 | $76,195 |
Glancing over the chart, we see a substantial blank space between the XT6 and Escalade in the Cadillac model lineup. One could imagine Cadillac offering something a bit bigger than the XT6, potentially called XT7 or XT8, priced to start around $60,000 to $65,000, that would more directly compete with the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
However, Cadillac Society has learned that there is currently no such model in the works, or under consideration. The news could come as a disappointment for fans looking for a three-row utility vehicle from Cadillac that isn’t an XT6 or Escalade.
Cadillac XT6
To that end, the execution of the Cadillac XT6 could arguably be done better. As Cadillac Society covered in February, original plans called for the XT6 to be built on the luxury marque’s Omega platform, the same RWD-based unibody platform that underpins the Cadillac CT6 sedan.
Omega is the most advanced vehicle platform Cadillac has ever offered, and would do wonders for the XT6 thanks to its stiff, yet lightweight mixed-material construction. However, plans changed and the XT6 was later designated for production on the more commonplace C1 platform shared with the XT5, along with other vehicles in the product portfolio of Cadillac’s parent company, General Motors.
Cadillac XT6
However, if the XT6 were to be built on Omega, one could imagine it offering styling more in line with that of luxury customers thanks to a longer and more imposing dash-to-axle ratio, as well as larger engine options, and a more dynamic driving experience, significantly boosting its position in the Cadillac model lineup. That would also enable Cadillac to charge more for the vehicle, allowing it to compete more directly with the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class ($54,750 starting) and the BMW X5 ($59,400 starting). Unlike the current model, an Omega-based XT6 wouldn’t be FWD-based, nor would it be limited to the corporate 3.6 atmospheric V6 with regard to uprated engine options. In short, it would have the right punch and wow factor needed for the segment.
Alas, it’s not to be, as the XT6 continues on the C1 platform, and no Cadillac model is currently planned to bridge the gap up to the Escalade, though this should all change as Cadillac migrates to electric vehicles over the course of the next decade.
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Really Now?
Once again Cadillac might feel the need to be the follower rather then the leader.
“One could imagine Cadillac offering something a bit bigger than the XT6, potentially called XT7 or XT8, priced to start around $60,000 to $65,000, that would more directly compete with the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.”
William Snyder
One reason is the Chinese didn’t ask for one.
Alex Luft
Not exactly accurate. The Chinese market is obviously a consideration for Cadillac, but make no mistake about it – the U.S. is where Cadillac derives most of its profit.
One may ask… “but why?” After all, more Cadillacs are sold in China than in the United States. The question is fair, and the answer lies in the fact that Cadillac parent, GM, splits everything 50-50 with its Chinese joint venture/partner, SAIC. As a result, the profits are cut in half. Not the case in the U.S.
So make no mistake about it: China drives some of the decision-making… but it’s far from being the only part of that decision making.
Ouick Silver 1
Glad everything is being developed for China. Did GM/Cadillac forget a market that could be won over with some superior engineering (like the old days), inventive and forward thinking design.
Looks like I’ll be shopping something else when I get ready to trade my 2 Cadillac CT6’s off (a 2017 and 2020). Don’t want a dressed up minivan or SUV. How about a great LUXURY sedan that isn’t going to cost $200K? Good luck surviving in the EV world…not cost effective with charging at 30 cents a minute or $18.00 an hour and there isn’t anything to tell us how far that charge will take us. How many of you want to sit at a rest area or shopping center while you get a charge?
Bravo!
Johnls_39
The Celestiq is more in line with Rolls Royce and Bentley with the higher-end clientele who have several vehicles in the drive-way and not their main transportation. So the market for this type of vehicle may not be too concerned for efficiency. This is a statement car.
Let’s say that both of your CT6s had a combined cost of $150K and if Cadillac have a flagship/halo car in production currently at that price, the buyer could care less about fuel economy either.