Compare the2025 Buick EnclaveVS 2025 Cadillac XT6

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

Safety

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The Enclave has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The XT6 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard Front Pedestrian Braking, the Buick Enclave is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Cadillac XT6, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Enclave	XT6
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	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 Low beams	-22 MPH	-1 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
37 MPH Brights	-16 MPH	-13 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	1.9 sec	1.8 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-16 MPH	-10 MPH

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Buick Enclave achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Cadillac XT6 has not been tested.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Buick Enclave’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Cadillac XT6.

Both the Enclave and XT6 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Enclave 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 Enclave’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 Enclave and the XT6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 front parking sensors.

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

	Enclave	XT6
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	165	167
Neck Injury Risk	20.1%	25%
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	187 lbs.
Neck Compression	2 lbs.	28 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	32/13 lbs.	161/358 lbs.

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 Enclave is much safer than the XT6:

	Enclave	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	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
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
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 Buick Enclave is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

	Enclave	XT6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	98
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	117 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	113	180
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches

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 Buick Enclave is much safer than the XT6:

	Enclave	XT6
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	55	61
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	357 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.47 in	.75 in
Shoulder Force	-156 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	1.1 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	4 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	178 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.61 in
Shoulder Force	-312 lbs.	424 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	692 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Buick Enclave has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 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 an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XT6 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are over 63 percent more Buick dealers than there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Enclave’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 Enclave’s reliability 13 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 Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 50 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 Buick vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick third in reliability, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Buick 10 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

Engine

The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 93 more horsepower (328 vs. 235) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (328 vs. 310) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 271) than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Enclave FWD gets better fuel mileage than the XT6 3.6 DOHC V6 FWD (20 city/27 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Enclave 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 Enclave 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.

Brakes and Stopping

The Enclave stops much shorter than the XT6:

	Enclave	XT6
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	131 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Enclave has larger standard tires than the XT6 (255/55R20 vs. 235/55R20). The Enclave’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT6 (275/45R22 vs. 265/45R21).

The Enclave’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 Enclave has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the XT6. The Enclave’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the XT6 (120.9 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Enclave has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (6.8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Enclave to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Enclave has 2.8 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom, 8.6 inches more front hip room, 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, 2.8 inches more rear hip room, 4.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.1 inches more third row headroom, 2.6 inches more third row legroom, 9 inches more third row hip room and 4.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Enclave	XT6
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	12.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.1 cubic feet	43.1 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	78.7 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Enclave easier. The Enclave’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the XT6’s liftover is 33 inches.

Towing

The Enclave’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac XT6 is only 4000 pounds. The Enclave offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The Enclave’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The XT6 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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

The Enclave has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport.

The Enclave Avenir has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the XT6.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Buick Enclave has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport offers wireless charging.

The Enclave offers an optional 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

The Buick Enclave outsold the Cadillac XT6 by 23% during 2024.

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