Compare the2024 Buick EnclaveVS 2024 Cadillac XT6

The Enclave has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The XT6 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Enclave and the XT6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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 around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Buick Enclave 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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Enclave 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 3 times as many Buick dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Enclave’s warranty.

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 Enclave’s reliability 22 points higher than the XT6.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 8th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 9th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 6 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 75 more horsepower (310 vs. 235) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Enclave uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT6 with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Enclave stops shorter than the XT6:

For better traction, the Enclave has larger tires than the XT6 (255/65R18 vs. 235/55R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the XT6 (120.9 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Enclave has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (7.5 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Enclave to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Enclave has 7.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT6 (157.3 vs. 149.9).

The Enclave has 2.8 inches more front headroom, 8.9 inches more front hip room, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 2 inches more rear hip room, 4.2 inches more rear shoulder room, .4 inches more third row headroom, 4 inches more third row legroom, 9 inches more third row hip room and 3.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

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

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Enclave easier. The Enclave’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.5 inches, while the XT6’s liftover is 33 inches.

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

The Enclave’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac XT6 is only 4000 pounds. The Enclave offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

If the windows are left open on the Enclave the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the XT6 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Enclave’s available exterior PIN entry system. The XT6 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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

The Enclave has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport.

The Enclave Premium/Avenir 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 Buick Enclave has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport offers wireless charging.

The Enclave 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 Enclave owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Enclave will cost $1650 to $3480 less than the XT6 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Enclave is less expensive to operate than the XT6 because it costs $46 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Enclave than the XT6, including $319 less for a muffler, $10 less for fuel injection, $12 less for front struts and $269 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Buick Enclave will be $2485 to $6099 less than for the Cadillac XT6.

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

The Buick Enclave outsold the Cadillac XT6 by 52% during 2022.