Cadillac XT6 vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury exuded a sense of understated elegance with its polished 20-inch alloy wheels and Stellar Black paint. Inside, the Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior added a touch of sophistication, making it feel like the perfect vehicle for a high-end chauffeur service. However, despite its luxurious materials, the XT6's interior design was somewhat underwhelming, lacking the distinctive flair expected in a luxury SUV. The analog gauges and 8-inch touchscreen display seemed outdated compared to its competitors, and the overall layout felt more akin to a standard GM crossover than a premium Cadillac.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid presented a more cohesive and modern design with its sixth-generation redesign. While it lost some of its distinctiveness, the Forester's blockier shape and rugged appearance gave it a more substantial presence. Inside, the Forester Hybrid featured a large vertical infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument panel, exclusive to the hybrid model. The cabin, though equipped with hard plastics, offered soft-touch materials in key areas, ensuring comfort and durability. The Forester Hybrid's interior was spacious and airy, with ample room for passengers and a panoramic sunroof enhancing the sense of openness.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered two engine options, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada, provided adequate performance but fell short compared to rivals like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. While the V6 was powerful enough, it lacked the turbocharged punch of its competitors. The XT6's adaptive-damping performance suspension and 20-inch wheels contributed to a smooth and composed ride, but the driving experience leaned more towards serenity than excitement.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine combined with a parallel hybrid system, producing a total of 194 horsepower. The hybrid system, similar to Toyota's, featured an all-wheel drive system with a traditional driveshaft, ensuring better traction off-road. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission's continuous operation made it feel slower than it was. The Forester Hybrid excelled in off-road conditions, thanks to Subaru's X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. On-road, the ride quality was firm but comfortable, with the hybrid system providing a seamless transition between electric and gasoline power.

Inside the 2022 Cadillac XT6, the power-adjustable front seats offered comfort, especially with the optional semi-aniline leather. However, the interior felt unexpectedly narrow, and the third-row seat was cramped for adults. The XT6 provided 357 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 1,200 litres with the rear seats folded. The maximum cargo volume was 2,229 litres, but storage compartments were limited and not easily accessible.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its spacious and airy cabin. The front seats provided ample space, and the thin roof pillars offered excellent visibility. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by the standard panoramic sunroof. The Forester Hybrid offered 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for added convenience. While storage was adequate, the upright tail design allowed for bulkier items.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 featured advanced technologies like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free highway driving-assistance system. However, it lacked digital gauges, and the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system felt outdated. The system offered Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot, but usability issues with touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive controls detracted from the experience. The available Bose Performance Series premium audio system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, featuring built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, with large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. The Forester Hybrid also offered multiple external camera views for off-roading and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The standout feature was the Super Cruise system, offering hands-free highway driving assistance. However, it had limitations, particularly in challenging conditions. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model a Top Safety Pick, with the Forester Hybrid expected to perform similarly. Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, was standard, with additional features like blind spot monitoring and a surround-view monitor available on higher trims.