Compare the2022 Honda PilotVS 2022 Cadillac XT6

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Pilot deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Pilot’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The XT6’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Pilot and the XT6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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 rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Pilot is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Pilot is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 21 percent more Honda dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Pilot’s warranty.

The engine in the Pilot 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 Pilot’s reliability 27 points higher than the XT6.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 16 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The Pilot’s 3.5 SOHC V6 produces 45 more horsepower (280 vs. 235) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Pilot is faster than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport 3.6 DOHC V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Pilot gets better mileage than the XT6:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Pilot uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT6 with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Pilot stops much shorter than the XT6:

For better traction, the Pilot has larger tires than the XT6 (245/60R18 vs. 235/55R20).

The Pilot EX-L’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT6’s standard 65 series tires.

The Pilot (except LX)’s optional drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The XT6 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Pilot Elite 4WD handles at .83 G’s, while the XT6 Sport AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

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

The Honda Pilot may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 350 pounds less than the Cadillac XT6.

The Pilot has standard seating for 8 passengers; the XT6 can only carry 7.

The Pilot has 9 inches more front hip room, 3.7 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear hip room, 4.6 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.7 inches more third row headroom, 2.4 inches more third row legroom, 5.1 inches more third row hip room and 4.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pilot’s middle and third row seats recline. The XT6’s third row seats don’t recline.

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

The Pilot has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The XT6 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

The Pilot’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds).

If the windows are left open on the Pilot 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 Pilot 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 Pilot’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.

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 Pilot’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 Pilot to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT6 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Pilot Touring/Elite/Black Edition has a 115-volt a/c outlet, 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Pilot owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Pilot will cost $3105 to $4265 less than the XT6 over a five-year period.

The Pilot will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Pilot will retain 51.32% to 53.62% of its original price after five years, while the XT6 only retains 38.34% to 38.37%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Pilot is less expensive to operate than the XT6 because it costs $737 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Pilot than the XT6, including $306 less for a muffler, $43 less for front brake pads, $151 less for fuel injection, $638 less for a timing belt/chain and $120 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Pilot will be $19034 to $25330 less than for the Cadillac XT6.

The Honda Pilot has won recognition from these important consumer publications: