Compare the2024 Toyota HighlanderVS 2024 Cadillac XT6

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
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 Toyota Highlander 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.

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Toyota Highlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Cadillac XT6, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Highlander	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
	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
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
37 MPH Brights	-25 MPH	-13 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.8 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-25 MPH	-10 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	2 sec	1.5 sec

The Highlander has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, 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 Highlander AWD’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT6 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Highlander and XT6 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Highlander Limited/Platinum has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The XT6’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The Highlander’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 Highlander 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, 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 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 Toyota Highlander is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

	Highlander	XT6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	55	98
Chest Movement	.3 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	79 lbs.	117 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	114	180
Spine Acceleration	37 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	152 lbs.	249 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	664 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 Toyota Highlander is much safer than the XT6:

	Highlander	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.51 in	.75 in
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	132	170
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	112 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	1.06 in	1.61 in
Shoulder Force	357 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	201 lbs.	692 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Toyota Highlander achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The XT6 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Highlander for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the XT6.

There are over 2 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Highlander’s warranty.

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 Highlander’s reliability 21 points higher than the XT6.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Cadillac is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Cadillac is ranked 16th.

Engine

The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (265 vs. 235) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Highlander’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 39 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 271) than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Highlander
	FWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
XT6
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy
		3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/25 hwy

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Highlander 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 Highlander has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. 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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Highlander	XT6
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	12.4 inches

The Highlander stops shorter than the XT6:

	Highlander	XT6
60 to 0 MPH	133 feet	134 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

For better maneuverability, the Highlander’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the XT6’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Highlander has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Highlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Toyota Highlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Cadillac XT6.

The Highlander is 3.6 inches shorter than the XT6, making the Highlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Highlander offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the XT6 can only carry 7.

The Highlander has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 7.1 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room, 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 6.1 inches more third row hip room and 1.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Highlander	XT6
Behind Third Seat	16 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	43.1 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	84.3 cubic feet	78.7 cubic feet

Towing

The Highlander’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (5000 vs. 1000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Highlander’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 Highlander 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. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the XT6 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Highlander’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 Highlander’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 Highlander Platinum’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 Highlander to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT6 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Highlander Limited/Platinum has a 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 Highlander owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Highlander will cost $1980 to $3765 less than the XT6 over a five-year period.

The Highlander will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Highlander will retain 54.44% to 56.71% of its original price after five years, while the XT6 only retains 49.6% to 50.95%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Highlander will be $12609 to $17435 less than for the Cadillac XT6.

Recommendations

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

The Toyota Highlander outsold the Cadillac XT6 by almost 9 to one during 2023.