Compare the2025 Toyota Grand HighlanderVS 2025 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
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Grand 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 Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the Toyota Grand Highlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Cadillac XT6, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Grand Highlander	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	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
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-24 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2 sec	1.8 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.8 sec	1.5 sec

The Grand 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 Grand Highlander XLE AWD/Limited AWD/Nightshade/Platinum’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT6 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Grand Highlander and XT6 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade 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 Grand 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 Grand 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.

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 Grand Highlander is much safer than the XT6:

	Grand Highlander	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	38	61
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.35 in	.75 in
Shoulder Force	156 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	4 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	143	170
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	156 lbs.
Neck Compression	89 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	.67 in	1.61 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	446 lbs.	692 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand 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 Grand 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 Grand Highlander’s reliability 21 points higher than the XT6.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 12th.

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 Grand Highlander has more powerful engines than the XT6:

	Horsepower	Torque
Grand Highlander Hybrid 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	245 HP
Grand Highlander 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder	265 HP	310 lbs.-ft.
Grand Highlander Hybrid Max 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	400 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 Grand Highlander Hybrid Max 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport 3.6 DOHC V6:

	Grand Highlander	XT6
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	6.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.5 MPH	93.1 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Grand Highlander
	FWD	LE/XLE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	37 city/34 hwy
		Limited 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/32 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
	AWD	LE/XLE 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	36 city/32 hwy
		Limited 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	35 city/31 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	26 city/27 hwy
		LE/XLE 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/27 hwy
		Limited/Platinum 2.4 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/26 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

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

The Grand 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.

Transmission

The Grand Highlander offers an available 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 Grand Highlander’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XT6:

	Grand Highlander	XT6
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	12.4 inches

The Grand Highlander stops shorter than the XT6:

	Grand Highlander	XT6
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Grand Highlander’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the XT6 (116.1 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

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

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

Passenger Space

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

The Grand Highlander has 3.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT6 (153.3 vs. 149.9).

The Grand Highlander has 1.7 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 6.4 inches more front hip room, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room, 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 4 inches more third row legroom, 6.2 inches more third row hip room and 4 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

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

Cargo Capacity

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

	Grand Highlander	XT6
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.9 cubic feet	43.1 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	78.7 cubic feet

Towing

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

Ergonomics

The Grand 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 Grand 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.

The XT6’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Grand 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 Grand Highlander to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XT6 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade has standard front air conditioned seats and the Grand Highlander Platinum 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 Grand Highlander Limited/Platinum/Nightshade 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.

Recommendations

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

The Grand Highlander was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The XT6 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

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

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