Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury (2025) vs Acura MDX Advance (2025): Luxury Three-Row SUV Comparison
Two three-row luxury SUVs, two naturally aspirated V6 engines, and one very different answer to the same family question. The 2025 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury and the 2025 Acura MDX Advance both seat seven, both tow a weekend trailer, and both cost roughly what a well-optioned full-size truck costs. But they come from opposite directions: the Cadillac is the last of its line, bowing out after 2025, while the Acura is freshly refreshed, sharper, and more expensive.
For an Ohio family cross-shopping these two, the question is what kind of luxury you want to live with. The XT6 is quiet, soft-riding, and roughly $8,500 cheaper than the MDX Advance once destination charges are counted. The MDX is the driver's choice, with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, a far more modern cabin, and a more usable third row. Here is the early verdict: if value and ride comfort top your list, buy the Cadillac before the last new ones are gone. If you want the better SUV to drive every day, the Acura earns its premium.
One thing to know first: the 2025 XT6 is the final model year of the first-generation XT6 in the United States. Cadillac ended production at Spring Hill, Tennessee on November 7, 2025, and there is no 2026 XT6 for the American market — a farewell tour, and a genuine buying opportunity.
Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Power | Cadillac XT6 | 310 hp vs 290 hp — the bigger V6 wins on paper, though the gap disappears on the road |
| Driving feel | Acura MDX | SH-AWD torque vectoring and a 5.7-second 0–60 run make it the sharper, more confident handler |
| Third-row space | Acura MDX | 16.3 cu ft behind the third row vs 12.6 — the Acura carries more with all seats up |
| Max cargo | Cadillac XT6 | 78.7 cu ft with both rows folded vs 71.4 — the Cadillac swallows the bigger load |
| Towing | Acura MDX | 5,000 lbs vs 4,000 lbs — the Acura hauls the heavier boat or camper |
| Fuel economy | Acura MDX | 19/25/21 MPG vs 18/25/20 for the AWD Cadillac — and the MDX's edge is real, though it drinks premium |
| Interior tech | Acura MDX | 12.3-in touchscreen, Google built-in, head-up display and massaging seats — the Cadillac's 8-in screen feels a generation behind |
| Value | Cadillac XT6 | $56,790 vs $67,350 as delivered — roughly $10,500 less for a comparably equipped luxury SUV |
| Best for families | Acura MDX | More usable third row, more cargo with seats up, and the stronger safety suite |
| Best for long highway trips | Cadillac XT6 | Softer ride, quieter cabin, regular fuel, and available Super Cruise hands-free driving |
At a Glance: Specs Table
| Spec | 2025 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury | 2025 Acura MDX Advance |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.6L naturally aspirated V6 | 3.5L naturally aspirated i-VTEC V6 |
| Horsepower | 310 hp | 290 hp |
| Torque | 271 lb-ft | 267 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard; AWD +$2,000 | SH-AWD standard |
| Fuel economy (EPA) | 19/26/21 MPG (FWD); 18/25/20 (AWD) | 19/25/21 MPG (SH-AWD) |
| Fuel type | Regular unleaded | Premium unleaded (91 octane) recommended |
| Max towing | 4,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs |
| Cargo (seats up / max) | 12.6 / 78.7 cu ft | 16.3 / 71.4 cu ft |
| Seating | 7 (6 with captain's chairs) | 7 |
| Ground clearance | 6.65 in | 7.3 in |
| Starting price | $56,790 incl. destination (FWD); $58,790 (AWD) | $66,000 + $1,350 destination ($67,350) |
All figures verified from Cadillac and Acura official specifications, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, MotorTrend, and dealer sources, November 2026.
Design & Exterior
Park them side by side in a Columbus driveway and the styling split is immediate. The XT6 wears Cadillac's shield grille, vertical LED lighting signatures, and a long, upright profile that reads as traditional American luxury — restrained, a little formal, and deliberately unflashy. At 198.5 inches long, it matches the Acura's footprint, but its taller, boxier greenhouse gives it a more wagon-like stance.
The MDX looks like the sportier machine it is. Acura's diamond pentagon grille, slim Jewel Eye headlights, and long hood give it a lower, more athletic posture, and the Advance trim's 20-inch wheels fill the arches properly. The 2025 refresh sharpened the fascia and grille without changing the shape. Dimensions are a near dead heat — the MDX rides on a 113.8-inch wheelbase at 198.4 inches long; the XT6 on 112.7 inches at 198.5. The Acura's only real dimensional edge is ground clearance, 7.3 inches to the Cadillac's 6.65, which matters on a rutted Ohio driveway. Neither SUV pretends to be an off-roader.
Interior, Comfort & Technology
This is where the age gap between the two designs shows up most clearly. The MDX was refreshed for 2025 with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Advance trim piles on the luxury: 16-way power front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage, quilted leather, open-pore wood trim, a 10.5-inch head-up display, a surround-view camera, and a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D audio system. The second-row outboard seats are heated too.
The XT6's cabin is comfortable and quiet, but it is plainly a generation older. The 8-inch touchscreen is small by 2025 standards, the graphics look dated next to the Acura's, and the center stack carries more buttons than any new buyer expects. What the Cadillac does well, it does genuinely well: broad, soft seats, a hushed cabin the Acura cannot quite match, and tri-zone climate that keeps the third row livable. Premium Luxury trim brings leather seating surfaces and heated front seats — it simply does not feel as special as the price suggests anymore.
Space is where the comparison gets interesting. The Acura wins the number that matters most to families: 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, versus just 12.6 in the Cadillac. That is the difference between fitting a stroller and a week's groceries behind the kids, or choosing one. Fold the third row and the Cadillac leads, 43.1 cubic feet behind the second row to the Acura's 39.1; fold everything and it wins outright, 78.7 to 71.4. So the Acura is the better people-hauler with everyone aboard, and the Cadillac is the better cargo-hauler when the third row stays home. Both third rows suit kids or short adult trips — not two hours on I-71 for a six-footer.
Performance & Driving Feel
On paper the Cadillac has the stronger engine: 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet from its 3.6-liter V6, against 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet from the Acura's 3.5-liter V6. On the road, the Acura is the quicker SUV. MotorTrend recorded a 5.7-second 0–60 mph run for the all-wheel-drive MDX — and the reason is the drivetrain, not the engine. The MDX Advance comes standard with Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, which can send up to 70 percent of torque rearward and split it side to side, pulling the SUV through corners in a way front-drive-based systems cannot. The XT6's optional all-wheel drive is a conventional system that reacts to slip rather than preventing it, and the front-wheel-drive Premium Luxury most buyers will find on the lot is a different animal in a hard corner or a snowy on-ramp.
The Cadillac's 9-speed automatic is smooth and unobtrusive, and the V6 pulls strongly once rolling — highway merging is effortless and the engine note stays distant. The Acura's 10-speed shifts a touch more firmly, which suits its character: this is the three-row you buy if you still enjoy driving. Steering weight, brake feel, and body control all favor the MDX. The XT6 counters with ride quality: on broken Ohio pavement it floats where the Acura firms up. For a long I-270 commute, the Cadillac's calm is worth real money. For a winding road you like, the Acura is the one to take home.
Towing separates them cleanly: the MDX Advance is rated for 5,000 pounds with SH-AWD, enough for a mid-size boat or a loaded utility trailer, while the XT6 tops out at 4,000 pounds. A thousand pounds is the difference between bringing the boat and leaving it at the marina, so check your trailer's weight before you decide.
Fuel Economy
Neither SUV will impress a hybrid shopper, but the numbers are closer than the price gap suggests. The front-wheel-drive XT6 is rated 19 city, 26 highway, and 21 combined; the all-wheel-drive version drops to 18/25/20. The MDX Advance, all-wheel drive only, is rated 19/25/21 — effectively tied with the all-wheel-drive Cadillac. The catch is at the pump: the Acura's V6 is tuned for premium unleaded, while the Cadillac's runs happily on regular. Over 15,000 miles a year, that premium-fuel requirement costs roughly $300 to $400 extra at Ohio prices. Both carry 18.5- to 19-gallon tanks, so range lands in the same 350- to 400-mile neighborhood — but the Cadillac's regular-fuel diet is a recurring saving.
Safety & Driver Assistance
Both SUVs come well equipped, but their safety stories point in different directions. The MDX carries AcuraWatch 360 as standard equipment: adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist, blind spot information, rear cross traffic alert, and Traffic Jam Assist, which can steer, brake, and accelerate in stop-and-go traffic. The Advance trim's surround-view camera and head-up display make parking a 198-inch SUV noticeably easier.
The XT6 answers with the Cadillac Smart System — automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist, and IntelliBeam automatic high beams — plus one feature the Acura cannot match at any price: Super Cruise. Available through the Platinum Package on Premium Luxury, Super Cruise offers true hands-free driving on more than 400,000 miles of compatible highways in the United States and Canada, and it pairs with Night Vision, which highlights pedestrians and animals on a dark road.
Pricing, Trims & Value
The price gap is the heart of this comparison. The 2025 XT6 Premium Luxury starts at $56,790 including destination with front-wheel drive, or $58,790 with all-wheel drive. The 2025 MDX Advance starts at $66,000 plus a $1,350 destination charge — $67,350 as delivered. That is a $10,560 difference against the front-drive Cadillac and $8,560 against the all-wheel-drive one.
What does the extra money buy? In the Acura: standard torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, a larger and far more modern infotainment system, massaging front seats, a head-up display, a surround-view camera, 1,000 pounds more towing, and a third row with more usable cargo behind it. What does the Cadillac give back? A softer ride, a quieter cabin, regular fuel, more maximum cargo space, and the chance to own the last of a line. There is also a real-world wrinkle: with production ended, remaining new 2025 XT6s are inventory dealers are motivated to move, while the refreshed MDX commands closer to sticker. A negotiated XT6 could easily stretch the real-world gap past $12,000.
Resale cuts both ways: a discontinued model can depreciate faster, and no new XT6 arrives until the 2029 model year. The refreshed MDX should hold value more predictably. That matters little if you keep cars a decade, and a lot if you trade every three years.
Pros and Cons
2025 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury
Pros: Lower price by roughly $8,500–$10,500; soft, quiet ride; runs on regular fuel; biggest maximum cargo space in the pair (78.7 cu ft); available Super Cruise hands-free driving and Night Vision; strong V6 with 310 hp.
Cons: Dated 8-inch infotainment and cabin tech; smallest cargo space behind the third row (12.6 cu ft); tows only 4,000 lbs; front-wheel-drive standard — AWD costs extra; discontinued after 2025, which may hurt resale; third row is tight for adults.
2025 Acura MDX Advance
Pros: SH-AWD standard with genuine torque vectoring; quickest in the pair (5.7-second 0–60); modern 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in; massaging seats, head-up display, and surround-view camera; tows 5,000 lbs; best cargo space with all seats up; strong resale prospects.
Cons: Roughly $10,500 more expensive; requires premium fuel; firmer ride on rough pavement; less maximum cargo space than the Cadillac (71.4 cu ft); no hands-free driving system to match Super Cruise; third row still best for kids.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury if you want the most luxury per dollar, you value a quiet, soft ride over sharp handling, you tow less than 4,000 pounds, and you are comfortable buying the last model year of a discontinued nameplate.
Buy the Acura MDX Advance if you want the better SUV to drive, you need the extra 1,000 pounds of towing, you carry passengers in the third row regularly, or you simply want a cabin that feels current every time you sit in it. It is also the pick for the Ohio driver who faces real winter weather and wants torque-vectoring all-wheel drive as standard, not as an option.
For more three-row comparisons from our garage, see our Lincoln Aviator Reserve vs Cadillac XT6 Sport review, our Ford Explorer ST-Line vs Toyota Grand Highlander Limited comparison, and our Jeep Wagoneer L vs Chevrolet Suburban High Country guide.
Final Verdict
The Acura MDX Advance is the better SUV. It drives better, tows more, carries more with all three rows in use, and its cabin will still feel modern years from now.
But this comparison is not decided purely on merit, because the Cadillac costs roughly $10,500 less — and for many Ohio families, that is the whole decision. The XT6 Premium Luxury gives you seven seats, a 310-horsepower V6, a serene highway ride, more maximum cargo space, and available Super Cruise for thousands less than the Acura. Its flaws are real but livable: an older screen, a small cargo well, and a nameplate about to disappear.
Our recommendation: if you can find a new 2025 XT6 Premium Luxury at or below sticker — and dealers are motivated to move the last ones — buy the Cadillac and pocket the difference. If the XT6 you want is gone, or if you plan to keep the SUV for eight years and want the technology to age gracefully, the MDX Advance is worth every dollar of its premium.
Which one would you take home — the value-packed farewell Cadillac, or the sharper, pricier Acura? Tell us in the comments.
FAQ
Is the 2025 Cadillac XT6 being discontinued?
Yes. Cadillac ended production of the first-generation XT6 on November 7, 2025, and there is no 2026 XT6 for the US market. A next-generation gas XT6 is confirmed but not expected until the 2029 model year, so remaining new 2025 models are the last ones available.
Which SUV is cheaper, the XT6 Premium Luxury or the MDX Advance?
The Cadillac, by a wide margin. The 2025 XT6 Premium Luxury starts at $56,790 including destination with front-wheel drive ($58,790 with all-wheel drive), while the 2025 MDX Advance is $66,000 plus $1,350 destination, or $67,350 as delivered — roughly $8,500 to $10,500 more.
Which tows more, the XT6 or the MDX?
The Acura MDX Advance tows up to 5,000 pounds with its standard SH-AWD system. The Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury is rated to tow up to 4,000 pounds with its 3.6-liter V6.
Does the Acura MDX require premium fuel?
Acura recommends premium unleaded (91 octane) for the MDX's 3.5-liter V6. The Cadillac XT6's 3.6-liter V6 runs on regular unleaded, which saves roughly $300 to $400 a year at typical Ohio fuel prices for 15,000 miles of driving.
Which has more cargo space?
It depends on the seats. The MDX has more space behind the third row (16.3 vs 12.6 cubic feet), so it is better with all seven seats in use. The XT6 has more maximum space with both rear rows folded (78.7 vs 71.4), so it is better for big hauls with the third row down.
By Stefany Aurora, ABBOhio Editorial — November 2026. Specifications verified from Cadillac and Acura official sources, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and MotorTrend.
