Compare the2022 Acura MDXVS 2022 Cadillac XT6

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Acura MDX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Cadillac XT6 doesn’t offer pretensioners for the middle seat belts.

The Acura MDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XT6 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The MDX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the MDX and the XT6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the MDX its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 116 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT6 is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2019.

Reliability

The engine in the MDX has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the XT6 have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the MDX’s reliability 24 points higher than the XT6.

Engine

The MDX’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 55 more horsepower (290 vs. 235) and 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the XT6.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the MDX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT6:

	MDX	XT6
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.4 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the MDX has larger tires than the XT6 (255/55R19 vs. 235/55R20).

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT6’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XT6.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the MDX’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the XT6 (113.8 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the MDX is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the XT6.

For greater off-road capability the MDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (7.3 vs. 6.65 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The MDX has .4 inches more front legroom, 9.2 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear hip room, 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.1 inches more third row hip room and 1.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

Cargo Capacity

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT6.

	MDX	XT6
Behind Third Seat	18.1 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	43.1 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95 cubic feet	78.7 cubic feet

Towing

The MDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac XT6 is only 4000 pounds. The MDX SH-AWD offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the XT6, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The MDX’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The XT6’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the MDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the XT6 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The MDX has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The XT6 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The MDX’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The XT6’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Consumer Reports rated the MDX’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the XT6’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The MDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XT6’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the MDX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT6 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport offers wireless charging.

The MDX offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT6 isn't recommended.

The Acura MDX outsold the Cadillac XT6 by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.