Compare the2025 Honda PilotVS 2025 Cadillac XT6

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
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 Honda Pilot have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision. The Cadillac XT6 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The Honda Pilot 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.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Pilot deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Pilot’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The XT6’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

With its standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, the Honda Pilot is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Cadillac XT6, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Pilot	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	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	-34 MPH	-13 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.4 sec	1.8 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-28 MPH	-10 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.6 sec	1.5 sec

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

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

	Pilot	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	GOOD	MARGINAL
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

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 Honda Pilot is much safer than the XT6:

	Pilot	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	31	61
Neck Tension	112 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.67 in	.75 in
Torso Max Deflection	.59 in	1.1 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	335 lbs.	736 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	101	170
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	89 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	.71 in	1.61 in
Shoulder Force	335 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	692 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Honda Pilot 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 88 percent more Honda dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Pilot’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 11 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

The Pilot’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 50 more horsepower (285 vs. 235) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (262 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Pilot
	FWD	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
	AWD	3.5 DOHC V6	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 Honda Pilot 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 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Pilot 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.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Pilot higher (7 out of 10) than the Cadillac XT6 (5 to 6). This means the Pilot produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XT6 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Honda Pilot, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the XT6.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Pilot	XT6
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.4 inches

The Pilot stops shorter than the XT6:

	Pilot	XT6
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Pilot has larger standard tires than the XT6 (255/50R20 vs. 235/55R20).

The Pilot EX-L’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.

The Pilot TrailSport has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the XT6; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Pilot is .9 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XT6.

For better maneuverability, the Pilot TrailSport’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the XT6’s (37.7 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Pilot’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the XT6’s (37.8 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Pilot has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (7.3 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Pilot to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Pilot TrailSport’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the XT6 (8.3 vs. 6.7 inches).

Passenger Space

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

The Pilot has 8.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT6 (158.4 vs. 149.9).

The Pilot has .7 inches more front headroom, 8.3 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 1.7 inches more rear hip room, 4.3 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.1 inches more third row headroom, 3 inches more third row legroom, 5.1 inches more third row hip room and 6 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Pilot	XT6
Behind Third Seat	21.8 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	59.5 cubic feet	43.1 cubic feet
Max Cargo Volume	111.8 cubic feet	78.7 cubic feet

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

	Pilot	XT6
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	19.4”/51.3”/84.2”	15.5”/48”/80.2”
Max Width	57.6”	50”
Min Width	44.7”	43”
Height	33.9”	32.5”

Towing

The Pilot’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Pilot’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.

Consumer Reports rated the Pilot’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 Pilot’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the XT6’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Pilot to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT6 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Pilot TrailSport/Elite/Black Edition 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 Pilot owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Pilot will cost $2115 to $3845 less than the XT6 over a five-year period.

The Pilot will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Pilot will retain 55.18% to 56.17% of its original price after five years, while the XT6 only retains 49.6% to 50.95%.

Recommendations

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

The Honda Pilot outsold the Cadillac XT6 by almost six to one during 2023.

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