Compare the2023 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2023 Cadillac XT6

The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The XT6 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Atlas 4Motion’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The XT6 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

Both the Atlas 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems 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 Volkswagen Atlas is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Atlas is .4% to 2.8% less likely to roll over than the XT6.

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, with its optional front crash prevention system, and its headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Atlas its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2019, a rating granted to only 122 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT6 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2019.

The Atlas’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the XT6’s (7 vs. 6 years).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT6.

There are over 13 percent more Volkswagen dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Atlas’ warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the XT6’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 41 more horsepower (276 vs. 235) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

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

For better stopping power the Atlas’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the XT6:

The Atlas stops much shorter than the XT6:

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

The Atlas’ 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 Atlas’ 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 4.6 inches longer than on the XT6 (117.3 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas is .6 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the XT6.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion handles at .84 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 Atlas 2.0T has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (7.1 vs. 6.65 inches), allowing the Atlas to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Atlas V6’s minimum ground clearance is .85 inch higher than on the XT6 (7.5 vs. 6.65 inches).

The Atlas has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 8.1 inches more front hip room, 3.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room, 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.1 inches more third row headroom, 4.2 inches more third row legroom, 5.6 inches more third row hip room and 1.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the XT6.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Atlas easier. The Atlas’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the XT6’s liftover is 33 inches.

The Atlas’ cargo area is larger than the XT6’s in every dimension:

The Atlas’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac XT6 is only 4000 pounds. The Atlas offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Atlas’ 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 Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows 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 Atlas 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 Atlas’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The XT6’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The XT6 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

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 Atlas’ available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XT6’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The XT6’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Atlas SEL’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

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

The Atlas 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.

Insurance will cost less for the Atlas owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Atlas with a number “5” insurance rate while the XT6 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Atlas is less expensive to operate than the XT6 because it costs $173 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Atlas than the XT6, including $25 less for a muffler.

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

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Cadillac XT6 by almost five to one during the 2021 model year.