Ford Explorer Vs Cadillac Xt6: A Detailed Comparison Of Two Popular Suvs

The Ford Explorer and Cadillac XT6 are two of the most popular luxury SUVs on the market, offering drivers a blend of style, performance, and versatility. But which one is the better choice? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the Ford Explorer against the Cadillac XT6 to determine which one comes out on top in terms of performance, features, comfort, and value.

Performance: Power and Efficiency

Engine Options:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer offers a range of engine options, including a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged inline-4, a 3.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged V6, and a 3.3-liter hybrid V6.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 comes with two engine choices: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 and a 3.6-liter V6.

Power and Torque:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer’s engines produce varying levels of power and torque, with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost delivering 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, the 3.0-liter EcoBoost producing 365 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, and the 3.3-liter hybrid V6 generating 318 horsepower and 322 lb-ft of torque.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6’s engines offer competitive power and torque figures, with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 producing 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.6-liter V6 generates 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque.

Fuel Efficiency:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer’s fuel efficiency varies depending on the chosen engine and drivetrain. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost with rear-wheel drive achieves up to 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the 3.0-liter EcoBoost with all-wheel drive gets up to 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The hybrid V6 offers the best fuel economy, with an estimated 27 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6’s fuel efficiency is comparable to the Explorer’s. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with front-wheel drive achieves up to 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, while the 3.6-liter V6 with all-wheel drive gets up to 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Features: Technology and Convenience

Infotainment Systems:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer features the SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a 10-speaker audio system.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 comes equipped with the Cadillac User Experience (CUE) infotainment system with a 10.2-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a Bose 14-speaker audio system.

Driver Assistance Features:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer offers a range of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 provides a comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Comfort and Convenience Features:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer offers comfortable seating for up to seven passengers, with heated and cooled front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 provides a luxurious cabin with seating for up to eight passengers, heated and ventilated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic sunroof.

Comfort: Ride Quality and Interior Space

Ride Quality:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer offers a smooth and comfortable ride, with a suspension that absorbs bumps and road imperfections effectively.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 delivers an exceptionally comfortable ride, with a suspension that isolates passengers from road vibrations and harshness.

Interior Space:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer provides ample interior space for passengers and cargo. The second and third rows of seats can be folded down to create a maximum cargo capacity of 87.8 cubic feet.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 offers a spacious cabin with generous legroom and headroom in all three rows. The second and third rows of seats can be folded down to create a maximum cargo capacity of 78.7 cubic feet.

Safety: Crash Test Ratings and Safety Features

Crash Test Ratings:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer has received a 5-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 has also earned a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

Safety Features:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer comes standard with a range of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 offers a comprehensive suite of safety technologies, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control.

Value: Price and Warranty

Price:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer has a starting price of $33,745 for the base model and can go up to $60,000 for the top-of-the-line Platinum trim.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 has a higher starting price of $47,295 for the base model and can reach over $70,000 for the fully loaded Sport trim.

Warranty:

• Ford Explorer: The Explorer comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

• Cadillac XT6: The XT6 offers a slightly shorter 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Final Verdict: The Winner is…

After carefully comparing the Ford Explorer and Cadillac XT6 in terms of performance, features, comfort, safety, and value, we have reached a verdict. The winner is… a tie! Both the Ford Explorer and Cadillac XT6 are excellent choices for luxury SUV buyers. The Explorer offers a more affordable starting price, a wider range of engine options, and a slightly more spacious interior. On the other hand, the XT6 provides a more luxurious cabin, a more comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, and a slightly better ride quality. Ultimately, the best choice between the two depends on your individual needs and preferences.

Questions We Hear a Lot

Q: Which SUV offers better fuel efficiency, the Ford Explorer or Cadillac XT6?

A: The Ford Explorer offers slightly better fuel efficiency than the Cadillac XT6, especially with the hybrid V6 engine.

Q: Which SUV has a more spacious interior, the Ford Explorer or Cadillac XT6?

A: The Ford Explorer offers a slightly more spacious interior than the Cadillac XT6, particularly in the second and third rows.

Q: Which SUV has a better infotainment system, the Ford Explorer or Cadillac XT6?

A: The Cadillac XT6 has a slightly better infotainment system than the Ford Explorer, with a larger touchscreen display and a more intuitive interface.