The 2021 Cadillac XT6 is a sharp spin on three-row family crossovers, but misses on a few details.
Pros Comfortable interior Good V-6 power Sharp face Good active safety features Available all-wheel drive
Cons Rivals cost less... …and some have better interiors Rear is a dud No Super Cruise
The 2021 Cadillac XT6 comes with all wheel drive, and front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 9-speed shiftable automatic.Luxury trim level debuts below Premium Luxury and Sport.New base 237-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine.Wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Pros Quiet interior Third row is roomy enough for most adults Easy-to-use infotainment system
Cons Minimal cargo space behind third row Many advanced driver safety aids don't come standard Jumpy throttle makes it hard to accelerate smoothly Low towing limits
A turbocharged four-cylinder joins the XT6 lineup for 2021 as part of the new entry-level Luxury trim level. The turbo four is shared with the smaller XT5 SUV, makes 237 horsepower, and comes paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission and either front- or all-wheel drive. The 310-hp V-6 is still standard on the Premium Luxury and Sport models.
PROS Sharply styled façade, three roomy rows of seats, high-tech features list.
CONS Less-than-luxe cabin trimmings, lackluster V-6 fuel efficiency, borrows too much from other GM SUVs.
Ballistic-resistant SUV offers protection against 'violent attacks, kidnapping or organised crime. BMW has revealed the new X5 Protection VR6, an armoured version of its popular luxury SUV. According to the Bavarian marque, the X5 Protection VR6 "offers private individuals and persons at risk customised protection against violent attacks, kidnapping or organised crime".Power in the X5 Protection VR6 comes from a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine borrowed from the xDrive50i variant. Maximum power is rated at 390kW between 5500 and 6000rpm, while a peak torque figure of 750Nm is on tap between 1800rpm and 4600rpm.
The X5 Protection VR6, named in reference to its certified protection rating, is almost indistinguishable from the standard X5, but is clad all over in high-strength steel armour plating, which overlaps at each panel and trim gap to maximise coverage. Underneath, a thick aluminium splinter shield protects the powertrain and floor from explosive devices such as hand grenades, while the standard X5’s windows have been replaced with 33mm thick, polycarbonate-reinforced glass. The glazing features what BMW calls ‘post-blast protective technology’, which offers protection against secondary attacks in the wake of an explosion. Only the driver’s window is electric as standard, although an electric passenger window is an option.
We know what you want out of your luxury crossover. You want comfort. You want performance. You want protection against anti-infantry hand grenades. Well, BMW has the ride for you! Although it looks like the standard model, the new X5 Protection VR6's armor-plated bodywork protects against attacks by handguns and firearms, including AK-47s. The armored passenger compartment withstands blasts of up to 15 kilograms of TNT from a distance of 13 feet, and its Post Blast Protective Technology protects against secondary attacks; even following a blast, all windows remain firmly in position.The vehicle is fitted with high-strength steel panels in the doors, side frames, roof, and firewall. Overlapping armor plating within the door gaps and bodywork joints prevent penetration by bullets or fragments. Oh, and your suitcases will be safe as well, thanks to aluminum pieces guarding the underbody and luggage compartment.
