Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 Cadillac XT6

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row 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 its second-row 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.

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura MDX is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

	MDX	XT6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	105 lbs.	117 lbs.
Hip Force	226 lbs.	255 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	142	180
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	168 lbs.	249 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
Hip Force	424 lbs.	666 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the MDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT6 has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the MDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT6.

Reliability

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 34 points higher than the XT6.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 9 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

The MDX’s standard 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. The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 45 more horsepower (355 vs. 310) and 83 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 271) than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport 3.6 DOHC V6:

	MDX	XT6
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	6.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.8 sec	16.6 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.8 sec	6.6 sec
Quarter Mile	14 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	96 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the MDX 3.5 SOHC V6 SH-AWD gets better fuel mileage than the XT6 3.6 DOHC V6 AWD (19 city/25 hwy vs. 18 city/25 hwy).

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	MDX Type S	XT6
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	14.3 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	12.4 inches

The MDX stops shorter than the XT6:

	MDX	XT6
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the MDX has larger standard tires than the XT6 (255/55R19 vs. 235/55R20). The MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT6 (275/40R21 vs. 265/45R21).

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. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport’s optional 45 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.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The XT6 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The MDX Type S has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The MDX’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The XT6 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

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. The MDX Type S’ minimum ground clearance is 2.75 inches higher than on the XT6 (9.4 vs. 6.65 inches).

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.

The MDX Type S Advance has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XT6.

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.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the MDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MDX will cost $1735 to $2995 less than the XT6 over a five-year period.

The MDX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the MDX will retain 45.63% to 46.51% of its original price after five years, while the XT6 only retains 43.43% to 43.61%.

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 over two to one during 2022.