Compare the2024 Subaru AscentVS 2024 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
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Ascent 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 Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The XT6 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its standard EyeSight, the Subaru Ascent is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Cadillac XT6, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Ascent	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-23 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-7 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	3.3 sec	1.8 sec
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.6 sec	1.5 sec

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

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

The Ascent’s optional 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 Ascent and the XT6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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

	Ascent	XT6
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	21%	25%
Neck Compression	8 lbs.	28 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	159/292 lbs.	161/358 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	210	305
Neck Injury Risk	33%	38%

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Ascent is much safer than the XT6:

	Ascent	XT6
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	POOR

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 Subaru Ascent is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

	Ascent	XT6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	37	98
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	117 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	180
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	41 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	149	292
Hip Force	637 lbs.	666 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Ascent is much safer than the XT6:

	Ascent	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.1 in
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	134 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	1.26 in	1.61 in
Shoulder Force	357 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.18 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	201 lbs.	692 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Subaru Ascent has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XT6 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

There are over 12 percent more Subaru dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Ascent’s warranty.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 10 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

The Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (260 vs. 235) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 271) than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The XT6 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Ascent
	AWD	2.4 turbo flat-4	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited/Touring/Onyx 2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy
XT6
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/25 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Ascent 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 Ascent has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the XT6. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The XT6 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Ascent’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT6:

	Ascent	XT6
Front Rotors	13.1 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.4 inches

The Ascent stops much shorter than the XT6:

	Ascent	XT6
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

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

The Ascent’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.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ascent’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the XT6 (113.8 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the XT6’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (8.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

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

The Ascent has 3.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT6 (153.2 vs. 149.9).

The Ascent has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 7.7 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear hip room, 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.2 inches more third row legroom, 6.4 inches more third row hip room and 3.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Ascent	XT6
Behind Third Seat	17.8 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	43.5 cubic feet	43.1 cubic feet

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

	Ascent	XT6
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.3”/48”/82.9”	15.5”/48”/80.2”
Max Width	50.5”	50”
Min Width	45.9”	43”
Height	34”	32.5”

Towing

The Ascent’s 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 Ascent offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Ascent is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the XT6. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Ascent Base). 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 Ascent’s headlight performance “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 Ascent’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 Ascent’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 Ascent to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT6 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Ascent Touring has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the dashboard, 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 Ascent owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ascent will cost $2465 to $4315 less than the XT6 over a five-year period.

The Ascent will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Ascent will retain 54.18% to 55.67% of its original price after five years, while the XT6 only retains 49.6% to 50.95%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Ascent is less expensive to operate than the XT6 because it costs $191 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Ascent than the XT6, including $59 less for a water pump, $640 less for a muffler, $23 less for front brake pads, $208 less for fuel injection, $776 less for a timing belt/chain and $514 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Ascent will be $13993 to $17590 less than for the Cadillac XT6.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Ascent and the Cadillac XT6, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Cadillac XT6 by over three to one during 2023.