Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2020 Cadillac XT6

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles built after October 2019

2020 Cadillac XT6 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteriaRating
Small overlap front: driver-side
G
Small overlap front: passenger-side
G
Moderate overlap front: original test
G
Side: original test
G
Side: updated test
P
Roof strength
G
Head restraints & seats
G

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteriaRating
Headlights
A
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Optional system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior
Optional system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteriaRating
LATCH ease of use
A

Other available safety features

  • Standard blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention
  • Optional rear automatic braking

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 GMC Acadia SLT1 4-door 4wd

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year. It is smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore is now classified as a midsize SUV.

The earlier design remained in production for only the 2017 model year, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the GMC Acadia Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Acadia Limited.

These ratings also apply to the Cadillac XT6, a midsize luxury SUV introduced in the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteriaRating
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G

Action shot taken during the driver-side small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2020-25 models built after October 2019

Tested vehicle: 2020 Cadillac XT6 Platinum Premium Luxury 4-door 4wd

The Cadillac XT6 was introduced in the 2020 model year. This midsize luxury SUV is built on the same platform as the GMC Acadia. Beginning with 2020 models built after August 2019, the passenger-side front door hinge pillar and A-pillar were reinforced to improve occupant protection in passenger-side small overlap frontal crashes. Beginning with 2020 models built after October 2019, changes to the side curtain airbags were implemented to further improve occupant protection.

Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
A
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Hip/thigh
G
Lower leg/foot
G
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 GMC Acadia All Terrain 4-door 4wd

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year. It is smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore is now classified as a midsize SUV.

The earlier design remained in production for only the 2017 model year, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the GMC Acadia Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Acadia Limited.

Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors on an Acadia. These ratings also apply to the Cadillac XT6, a midsize luxury SUV introduced in the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Chest
G
Leg/foot, left
G
Leg/foot, right
A
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 GMC Acadia All Terrain 4-door 4wd

The GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year. It is smaller and lighter than the earlier design and therefore is now classified as a midsize SUV.

The earlier design remained in production for only the 2017 model year, available new only to fleet buyers, and was called the GMC Acadia Limited. The ratings on this page do not apply to the Acadia Limited.

Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by General Motors on an Acadia. These ratings also apply to the Cadillac XT6, a midsize luxury SUV introduced in the 2020 model year.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
G
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis/leg
G
Rear passenger head protection
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Cadillac XT6 Luxury 4-door 4wd

The Cadillac XT6 was introduced in the 2020 model year and the GMC Acadia was redesigned for the 2017 model year.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
P
Structure and safety cage
G
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
G
Pelvis
G
Driver head protection
G
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
G
Torso
P
Pelvis
G
Rear passenger head protection
G

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbags.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2020-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 GMC Acadia SLT1 4-door 4wd

Overall evaluation
G
Curb weight4,295 lbs
Peak force20,415 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio4.75

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
G
Dynamic rating
G
Seat/head restraint geometry
G
Technical measurements for this test

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Sport trim equipped with Premium Headlamp System package
  • Premium Luxury trim equipped with Premium Headlamp System package
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
A
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on the gradual right curve.

Technical measurements for this test

Trim level(s)

  • Sport trim
  • Premium Luxury trim
Evaluation criteriaRating
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
A
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was fair in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Standard Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Standard Forward Collision Alert

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

  • Optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
  • Standard Forward Collision Alert

Package name

  • Optional Driver Assist Package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

  • standard Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2020-25 models

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 20 mph. A warning was issued 2 seconds before impact.

System details

  • optional Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking/Front Pedestrian Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2020-25 models of the following trim lines: Luxury trim equipped with Driver Assist package, Sport trim equipped with Driver Assist package, Premium Luxury trim, Premium Sport trim

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph. A warning was issued 1.6 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
A
Vehicle trimPremium Luxury
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 3 additional seating positions with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteriaRating
Overall evaluation
A
Vehicle trimPremium Luxury
Seat type leather
1 2 3 6 4
Rating iconRating
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

PositionRating
1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
4
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
6
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
Technical measurements for this test

About the child seat anchor evaluation