Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2023 Cadillac XT6

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-9. But it costs extra on the XT6.

The CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature’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 CX-9 and the XT6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available 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 Mazda CX-9 is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

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, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CX-9 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The XT6 has not been fully tested, yet.

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 CX-9’s reliability 27 points higher than the XT6.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda fourth in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 17th.

The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 15 more horsepower (250 vs. 235) and 62 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 271) than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better mileage than the XT6:

The CX-9 stops much shorter than the XT6:

For better traction, the CX-9 has larger tires than the XT6 (255/60R18 vs. 235/55R20).

The CX-9 Touring’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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-9’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the XT6 (115.3 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

The CX-9 Signature handles at .85 G’s, while the XT6 Sport AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XT6 Sport AWD (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a 2.15 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (8.8 vs. 6.65 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The CX-9 has 6.6 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room, .7 inches more rear shoulder room, .2 inches more third row legroom and .6 inches more third row hip room than the XT6.

The CX-9’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT6.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-9 easier. The CX-9’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.7 inches, while the XT6’s liftover is 33 inches.

The CX-9’s cargo area is larger than the XT6’s in almost every dimension:

The CX-9’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds).

The CX-9’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.

The CX-9 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 CX-9’s 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.

Consumer Reports rated the CX-9’s headlight performance “Fair,” 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 CX-9’s 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 CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature’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 CX-9 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 Mazda CX-9 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport offers wireless charging.

Insurance will cost less for the CX-9 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-9 will cost $240 to $2215 less than the XT6 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CX-9 is less expensive to operate than the XT6 because it costs $464 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CX-9 than the XT6, including $345 less for a muffler, $23 less for front brake pads, $104 less for a starter, $208 less for fuel injection and $79 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-9 will be $9201 to $11768 less than for the Cadillac XT6.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-9, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT6 isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-9 outsold the Cadillac XT6 by 72% during 2022.