Compare the2024 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Cadillac XT6

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mazda CX-90 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 Mazda CX-90 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The XT6 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

With its standard Smart Brake Support, the Mazda CX-90 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Cadillac XT6, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	CX-90	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-23 MPH	-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
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
37 MPH Brights	-33 MPH	-13 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.4 sec	1.8 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-26 MPH	-10 MPH

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the XT6.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CX-90’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT6 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the CX-90 and XT6 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the CX-90 Premium Plus/Turbo S Premium has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (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 CX-90’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-90 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, 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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the CX-90 is much safer than the XT6:

	CX-90	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	57	223
Neck Injury Chance	17%	27%
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	292/315 pounds	427/495 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	POOR

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 Mazda CX-90 is much safer than the XT6:

	CX-90	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.28 in	.75 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	223 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	736 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	18	170
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	.39 in	1.61 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Mazda CX-90 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 a “Good” 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.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 9 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

The CX-90 has more powerful engines than the XT6:

	Horsepower	Torque
CX-90 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	280 HP	332 lbs.-ft.
CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	323 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
CX-90 Turbo S 3.3 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	340 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
XT6 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	235 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport 3.6 DOHC V6	310 HP	271 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport 3.6 DOHC V6:

	CX-90	XT6
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95.8 MPH	93.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the XT6:

			MPG
CX-90
	AWD	3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/28 hwy
		Turbo S 3.3 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	23 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

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The XT6 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The XT6 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The CX-90 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port which lock and unlock with the power locks. The XT6 doesn’t offer a locking fuel filler door. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CX-90’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT6:

	CX-90	CX-90 Turbo S/PHEV	XT6
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	13.7 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13.8 inches	12.4 inches

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the XT6:

	CX-90	XT6
70 to 0 MPH	166 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CX-90 has larger standard tires than the XT6 (265/55R19 vs. 235/55R20). The CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT6 (275/45R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The CX-90’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the XT6’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CX-90 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XT6.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 10.1 inches longer than on the XT6 (122.8 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the XT6’s (38.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the CX-90 has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the CX-90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The CX-90 PHEV Premium/Turbo S’ minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the XT6 (8.1 vs. 6.7 inches).

Passenger Space

The CX-90 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the XT6 can only carry 7.

The CX-90 has .5 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .3 inches more rear legroom, .7 inches more rear shoulder room and .9 inches more third row legroom than the XT6.

Cargo Capacity

The CX-90’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT6.

	CX-90	XT6
Behind Third Seat	14.9 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-90 easier. The CX-90’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31 inches, while the XT6’s liftover is 33 inches.

Towing

The CX-90’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac XT6 is only 4000 pounds. The CX-90 offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the CX-90 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

The CX-90’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-90’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.

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-90’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-90 Turbo 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-90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT6 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The CX-90 Premium Plus has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The XT6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The CX-90 Premium Plus has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, 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.

Recommendations

The Mazda CX-90 outsold the Cadillac XT6 by 61% during 2023.