2026 Acura MDX vs. 2025 Cadillac XT6

TrueCar says choosing between the Acura MDX and the Cadillac XT6 comes down to price up front versus cost at the pump, with the XT6's $50,690 starting price undercutting the MDX's $53,350 by $2,660, while the XT6 also wins on fuel economy at 21 city/27 highway mpg versus the MDX's 19 city/26 highway mpg, and the MDX's 3.5-liter V6 sits against the XT6's 2.0-liter turbo four, both with standard front-wheel drive and a 5-star NHTSA overall safety rating. CarGurus says the overall rating for the Cadillac XT6 is 6.3 out of 10 versus the Acura MDX's 6.2, with the XT6 edging out the MDX with a slightly better overall package, citing the XT6's advanced driving-assistance features like Super Cruise, its more traditional luxury SUV design, and its strong safety record with top ratings from IIHS and NHTSA as reasons to choose it, while noting the MDX also earned top safety ratings from both agencies despite its driver-assist system occasionally issuing false warnings.

Which to choose, and why

$2,660 cheaper, and thriftier

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says choosing between the Acura MDX and the Cadillac XT6 comes down to price up front versus cost at the pump, with the XT6's $50,690 starting price undercutting the MDX's $53,350 by $2,660, while the XT6 also wins on fuel economy at 21 city/27 highway mpg versus the MDX's 19 city/26 highway mpg.

V6 versus turbo four, both 5-star safety

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the MDX's 3.5-liter V6 sits against the XT6's 2.0-liter turbo four, both with standard front-wheel drive and a 5-star NHTSA overall safety rating.

CarGurus gives the XT6 a slight overall edge

CarGurus (opens in a new tab) rates the Cadillac XT6 6.3 out of 10 versus the Acura MDX's 6.2, citing the XT6's advanced driving-assistance features like Super Cruise, its more traditional luxury SUV design, and its strong safety record with top ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, while noting the MDX also earned top safety ratings from both agencies despite its driver-assist system occasionally issuing false warnings.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Acura MDX or Cadillac XT6?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the XT6, by $2,660 at MSRP.

Which has a higher overall rating, the Acura MDX or Cadillac XT6?

CarGurus (opens in a new tab) rates the XT6 6.3 out of 10 versus the MDX's 6.2.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Acura MDX: 3 records · Cadillac XT6: 4 records.

Decision field	Acura MDX	Cadillac XT6
Exact EPA records	3	4
Model / option labels	3	2
Drive layouts	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive	All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	3.5L 6-cyl SIDI, 3L 6-cyl SIDI	2L 4-cyl SIDI, 3.6L 6-cyl SIDI
Transmissions	Automatic (S10)	Automatic (S9)
Fuel types	Premium	Premium, Regular
EPA classes	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD	Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Combined efficiency	19–22 MPG/MPGe	20–23 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$3650–4200 per year	$3100–3450 per year

Head to head

Acura MDX vs. Cadillac XT6: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Acura MDX	Cadillac XT6
Starting price (KBB base)	$53,250	$50,590
Top trim price (KBB base)	$77,300	$62,090
Horsepower	290-355 hp	235-310 hp
Torque	267-354 lb-ft	258-271 lb-ft
Curb weight	4,268-4,776 lb	4,565-4,690 lb
Length	198.4 in	198.5 in
Wheelbase	113.8 in	113 in
Cargo volume	95 cu ft	78.7 cu ft
Towing capacity	3,500-5,000 lb	1,000-4,000 lb
Seating	7 seats	7 seats
Basic warranty	4 years	4 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 and 2025 model years); prices are KBB base prices.

The Cadillac XT6 starts $2,660 lower: $50,590 against $53,250 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Acura MDX leads: 355 hp against 310 hp.
On peak torque, the Acura MDX leads: 354 lb-ft against 271 lb-ft.
The Acura MDX is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 4,268 lb against 4,565 lb.
On length, the Cadillac XT6 leads: 198.5 in against 198.4 in.
On wheelbase, the Acura MDX leads: 113.8 in against 113 in.
On cargo volume, the Acura MDX leads: 95 cu ft against 78.7 cu ft.
On maximum towing capacity, the Acura MDX leads: 5,000 lb against 4,000 lb.
Both list the same seating capacity: 7 seats.
Both list the same basic warranty: 4 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Acura MDX and the Cadillac XT6.

2026 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by the Japanese automaker Honda under its luxury Acura division since 2000. The alphanumeric moniker stands for "Multi-Dimensional" luxury. It has ranked as the second-best selling mid-size luxury SUV after the Lexus RX in the U.S.

Safety: Fourth generation (YD8/9/YE1; 2022) Skipping the 2021 model year, the fourth-generation MDX was revealed as a prototype on October 14, 2020, virtually revealed on December 8, went into bulk production on January 12, 2021, for the 2022 model year, and went on sale on February 2, with the Type-S trim released on December 23.
Awards: North American Car of the Year Utility Finalist for 2019. Car and Driver magazine's Best Luxury SUV in 2001. Motor Trend magazine's SUV of the Year Contender in 2017.

Source: Acura MDX (Wikipedia)

Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)

May 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic… Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
June 2025, Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Acura TLX, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2023-2025 Honda Pilot vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin was not secured properly, which can cause the pedal to shift out of position. As such, these vehicles… Consequence: A brake pedal that shifts out of position can prevent the driver from applying the brakes as intended, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
January 2025, Back Over Prevention:Software. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2025 Acura MDX vehicles. The touchscreen in the center console may go blank, resulting in the rearview camera image not displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of… Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 105 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Acura MDX, most often about engine (63), electrical system (48), unknown or other (26).

2025 Cadillac XT6

The Cadillac XT6 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV with three-row seating manufactured by the Cadillac division of General Motors. The vehicle was introduced on January 12, 2019, at the North American International Auto Show. It went on sale in June of the same year as a 2020 model.

Safety: The XT6 was awarded "Top Safety Pick+" for three consecutive years, by IIHS. The 2024 model year XT6 was given an overall poor rating for the updated moderate overlap crash test, as there was a reported medium to high risk of injury to the rear dummy passenger.
Reception: The XT6 received mixed reviews, with XT6's styling and features being particularly criticized as reviewers believed both pale in comparison to the concurrently launched Lincoln Aviator. Reviewers also criticized the lack of an optional hybrid powertrain, which is available on a number of the XT6's competitors.

Source: Cadillac XT6 (Wikipedia)

Powertrain. The XT6 comes with either a 2.0L I4 turbo engine, making 237 hp (177 kW) or a 3.6L V6 LGX engine, making 310 hp (231 kW). Each engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with next-generation Electronic Precision Shift. A choice of AWD and FWD are offered.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Cadillac XT6 overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)

June 2024, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Cadillac XT5 and 2024-2025 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The instrument panel may not illuminate when the hazard warning lights, high beams, or turn signals are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the… Consequence: Without the illuminated reminder, the driver could fail to turn off the lights when no longer needed. Hazard warning lights, high beams, or turn signals that remain activated unintentionally can…
October 2023, Visibility:Windshield. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 GMC Acadia and 2024 Cadilac XT5 and XT6 vehicles. The windshield may have been assembled without the proper urethane sealant required to bond the windshield to the vehicle body. Consequence: A windshield that is not properly bonded may detach during a crash and increase the risk of injury.
March 2023, Power Train:Automatic Transmission. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission. Consequence: A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase…

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Cadillac XT6, most often about unknown or other (3), service brakes (2), engine (2).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Acura MDX3 configurations →02 · 2025Cadillac XT64 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Acura MDX or the 2025 Cadillac XT6?

Efficiency

The 2025 Cadillac XT6 lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (21.5 vs. the 2026 Acura MDX's 20.5 MPG/MPGe).