Compare the2026 Cadillac VistiqVS 2026 Volvo XC90

The Cadillac Vistiq has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 XC90 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Vistiq 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 XC90 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

A passive infrared night vision system standard on the Vistiq Premium Luxury/Platinum helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The XC90 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The Cadillac Vistiq’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Volvo XC90 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Vistiq and the XC90 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 driver alert monitors.

The Cadillac Vistiq weighs 1273 to 1884 pounds more than the Volvo XC90. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the Vistiq 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the XC90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the XC90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 58 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Cadillac higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Cadillac above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Volvo is rated below average.

The Vistiq’s electric motors produces 368 more horsepower (615 vs. 247) and 384 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 266) than the XC90 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Vistiq’s electric motors produces 320 more horsepower (615 vs. 295) and 340 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 310) than the XC90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid. The Vistiq’s electric motors produces 160 more horsepower (615 vs. 455) and 127 lbs.-ft. more torque (650 vs. 523) than the XC90 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Cadillac Vistiq is faster than the Volvo XC90:

On the EPA test cycle the Vistiq gets better mileage than the XC90 T8 Extended Range running on electricity (93 city/78 hwy vs. 59 city/57 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Vistiq gets better mileage than the XC90 running its gasoline engine:

The Vistiq can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 300 miles. The XC90 T8 Extended Range has to start its internal combustion engine after only 32 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Cadillac Vistiq higher (10 out of 10) than the Volvo XC90 (6). This means the Vistiq produces up to 12.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the XC90 every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Vistiq Platinum’s brake rotors are larger than those on the XC90:

The Vistiq stops shorter than the XC90:

For better traction, the Vistiq has larger standard tires than the XC90 (285/45R21 vs. 275/45R20). The Vistiq’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XC90 (305/35R23 vs. 275/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Vistiq has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the XC90. The Vistiq’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the XC90.

The Cadillac Vistiq’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Volvo XC90 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires standard on the Vistiq can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The XC90 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Vistiq uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the XC90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Vistiq’s wheelbase is 4.3 inches longer than on the XC90 (121.8 inches vs. 117.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Vistiq is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the XC90.

The Vistiq Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the XC90 B6 Ultra (26.6 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Vistiq Premium Luxury/Platinum’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the XC90’s (38.2 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The design of the Cadillac Vistiq amounts to more than styling. The Vistiq has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the XC90 (.33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Vistiq get better fuel mileage.

The Vistiq uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The XC90 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Vistiq has 41.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XC90 (145.6 vs. 103.8).

The Vistiq has 2 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front hip room, 3.3 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear hip room, 3.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.3 inches more third row headroom and 7.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the XC90.

The Vistiq’s cargo area provides more volume than the XC90.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Vistiq’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The XC90 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Vistiq’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The XC90’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Vistiq has standard extendable sun visors. The XC90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Vistiq 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 costs extra on the XC90.

The Vistiq is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the XC90, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Vistiq offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the XC90.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Vistiq equipped with available HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The XC90, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Cadillac Vistiq empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The Cadillac Vistiq stands out above the Volvo XC90 by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and two of them provide more flexibility. Both vehicles also offer Qi charging for the second row passengers.