Cadillac has two midsize SUVs: the XT5 and XT6. Neither of them gets amazing reviews, it has to be said, but both have proven to be popular with consumers. In fact, the XT5 is Cadillac’s best-selling model. But which is the right one for you?

Midsize SUVs aren’t as popular as they used to be, having been overtaken by compact and subcompact SUVs. That said, there’s still room in the market for the mid-size. They offer large families a slightly more sophisticated look than a minivan while being more affordable than a full SUV. And when they’re done right, they perfectly combine functionality with style.

But which mini-SUV is better—and can they compare with bestsellers like the Audi Q8 or Lincoln Aviator?

Jerry

, the trusted

car insurance

broker app, gets into it in this article. We’ll go over key specs for both SUVs, pick the winner, and compare both to the competition. As an added bonus, we’re throwing in some tips to help you save on

Cadillac insurance costs

Does Cadillac have a midsize SUV?

Yes, it does—two of them. The

Cadillac XT5

and XT6 are both midsize SUVs. The compact Cadillac XT4 sits just below them in the lineup of Cadillac SUV models, and the iconic

Cadillac Escalade

lands just above.

What makes a midsize SUV?

The definitions of subcompact, compact, mid-size, and full-size are all quite precise when it comes to sedans—but they’re a bit vaguer in the world of the SUV. Putting it simply, a midsize SUV is bigger than a compact SUV and smaller than a full-size SUV. Aren’t you glad you asked now?

Is the Cadillac XT4 a midsize SUV?

Despite having a similar name and look to the XT5 and XT6, the XT4 is very much the junior partner in Cadillac’s midsize SUV range because it’s a compact. Confusingly, the XT5 is sometimes also called a compact. We did tell you the definitions can be vague at times. Here we’re going to focus on the two models most commonly referred to as ‘midsize.’

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XT5 vs. XT6: which is the best midsize Cadillac SUV?

Now let’s take a closer look at Cadillac’s two midsize SUVs. At first glance, there isn’t a huge difference, despite hitting the market several years apart. The XT5 dates back to 2017, while the XT6 followed in 2020, having been designed to fill the gap between the XT5 and the Escalade.

But these two midsize SUVs aren’t identical—so which one has the edge?

2022 Cadillac XT5

MSRP range: $43,995–$55,895

MPG: 22 city/29 hwy

Seating for: 5 passengers

The Cadillac XT5 is a hugely popular entry in the midsize luxury SUV market, but its sales figures don’t seem to match up with its reviews. It has been described as “a swing and a miss from General Motors’s most prestigious brand” and “not a standout in any particular area.”

It’s not all bad, though—far from it, as the XT5 brings plenty of cargo capacity and roomy seating for driver and passengers. And its price tag certainly makes it stand out from the crowd in the luxury market.

It also scored highly for safety with a five-star

NHTSA safety rating

thanks to its automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. It received good scores in crash tests, and it got a reliability score of 79/100 from J.D. Power.

Unfortunately, the performance suffers in comparison with other models in this niche. The base engine in the XT5 is a 235-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder with an optional 310-horsepower V6, but neither delivers the kind of strong performance that you can find in other midsize SUVs.

The XT5 is also marked down for handling and suspension, with most reviews summing up that it’s not much fun to drive. However, with a competitive mpg, it does have the advantage of being economical as well as affordable upfront, which may help to explain its popularity.

Highlights include:

Brembo performance front brakes

Active Fuel Management

Electronic Precision Shift

Up to 63 cubic feet of cargo space

Optional Tri-Zone Climate Control

Available Amazon Alexa Built-In

Cadillac User Experience

Front Pedestrian Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Safety Alert Seat, Rear Seat Reminder, HD Rear Vision Camera, Teen Driver, Vehicle Diagnostics, and Rear Park Assist.

Weaknesses include:

Poor acceleration

Unrefined interior design

Small windows make for limited views out of the rear

Too much exterior noise gets in

Not as luxurious as others in the market

2022 Cadillac XT6

MSRP range: $48,595 - $58,295

MPG: 18-21 city/25-27 hwy

Seating for: Up to 7 passengers

Launched three years after the XT5, this midsize SUV is larger than Cadillac’s most popular model but still not quite as big as the Escalade. It still offers plenty of cargo room and spacious seating for up to 7 people, although not necessarily at the same time.

However, like the XT5, it regularly falls on the lower end of the luxury midsize SUV rankings. It scores highly for its looks, technology, and comfort, but poorly for driveability and needing to manually engage the all-wheel-drive system.

The XT6 comes with a 3.6-liter V6 engine that gets to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, which is not impressive compared to some of its rivals in this market. Some reviewers pointed out that the gas pedal could be overly sensitive. There have also been reports of issues with torque steer, where the steering wheel becomes jerky when accelerating.

Plus points come with a five-star rating from the NHTSA for safety in frontal and side crash tests, with four stars for the rollover test. However, its main advantage over the more popular XT5 seems largely based on its ability to seat an extra couple of passengers.

Highlights include:

Quiet interior

Spacious even with seven passengers

Optional Brembo performance brakes with red calipers

Smart Tow Trailering System

Available Bose Performance Series 14-Speaker audio system

Available Super Cruise

Front Pedestrian Braking, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Safety Alert Seat, Rear Seat Reminder, HD Rear Vision Camera, Teen Driver, Vehicle Diagnostics, and Rear Park Assist.

Weaknesses include:

Minimal cargo space when all three rows are in place

Rough acceleration at times

Interior doesn’t have that luxurious feel

Uninspired engine options

2022 Cadillac XT5 vs. 2022 Cadillac XT6 comparison

	2022 Cadillac XT5	2022 Cadillac XT6
Starting MSRP	$43,995	$48,595
Seating capacity	Five	Seven
Fuel economy	24 combined mpg	20 combined mpg
Base engine	DOHC 16-valve inline-4 (237 hp, 258 lb-ft of torque)	DOHC 24-valve V-6 (310 hp, 271 lb-ft of torque)
Total cargo volume	63 cubic feet	78.70 cubic feet
Maximum towing capacity	1,000 lbs to 3,500 lbs	1,000 to 4,000 lbs
NHTSA safety rating	Five stars	Five stars
Reliability scores	79/100 (U.S. News), 86/100 (J.D. Power), 82/100 (Consumer Reports)	76/100 (U.S. News), 84/100 (J.D. Power), 69/100 (Consumer Reports)

The bottom line

There isn’t much to separate the XT5 and the XT6 in terms of what they offer. Both are towards the middle of the market when it comes to performance and comfort, but have affordability and fuel economy on their side. They’re also both spacious, safe, and reliable, which helps to explain their popularity with families. Which one is right for you may well come down to how many family members you want to drive around at one time.

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Best midsize SUV competitors

The XT5 might be Cadillac’s most popular midsize SUV, but it’s not the only good midsize SUV on the market. If you’re looking at Cadillac’s midsize SUVs, keep an eye on these able competitors:

2022

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

($56,150 starting MSRP): With luxurious and spacious interiors alongside powerful, smooth, and enjoyable driving, this is the best midsize SUV you can find.

2022

BMW X5

($60,600 starting MSRP): Its classy and comfy interiors and excellent tech and safety features make this a smooth and enjoyable ride, even if the third row can be cramped.

2022

Genesis GV80

($50,200 starting MSRP): With a superior combination of power, comfort, and interior space along with great gas mileage, the GV80 is a perfect all-rounder.

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How to save on Cadillac insurance

Insuring midsize SUVs can be expensive if you don’t shop around, so whether you opt for the XT5 or XT6, make sure you head to the

Jerry

app to see how much you can save on your

Cadillac insurance costs

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