Compare the2025 Volvo XC90VS 2026 Cadillac Vistiq

The XC90’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Vistiq doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the XC90 and Vistiq have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The XC90 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Vistiq’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Volvo XC90 offers an optional built in child booster seat. It’s more crash worthy than an added child seat because of its direct attachment to the seat. Cadillac doesn’t offer the convenience and security of a built-in child booster seat in the Vistiq. Their owners must carry a heavy booster seat in and out of the vehicle; XC90 owners can just fold their built-in child seat up or down.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the XC90 deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The XC90’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Vistiq’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The XC90 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Vistiq doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the XC90 and the Vistiq have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Volvo XC90 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Vistiq has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The XC90’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Vistiq’s (12 vs. 6 years).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the XC90 for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Cadillac only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Vistiq.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Volvo vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Volvo 6 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The XC90 T8’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 540 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Vistiq’s range is only 300 miles, after which

The XC90 has a standard space-saver spare (not available on T8) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Vistiq; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For greater off-road capability the XC90 has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Vistiq (8.8 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the XC90 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The XC90 w/Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 2.7 inches higher than on the Vistiq (9.9 vs. 7.2 inches).

The Volvo XC90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1050 to 1750 pounds less than the Cadillac Vistiq.

The XC90 is 10.6 inches shorter than the Vistiq, making the XC90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The XC90 has 1.3 inches more third row legroom and 3.8 inches more third row hip room than the Vistiq.

The XC90’s cargo area provides more volume than the Vistiq.

The XC90 has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Vistiq doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the XC90 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Vistiq doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the XC90 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Vistiq doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The XC90 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Vistiq doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Vistiq’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The XC90’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Volvo XC90 has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

Motor Trend selected the XC90 as their 2016 Sport Utility of the Year. The Vistiq has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the XC90 as the 2016 North American Truck of the Year. The Vistiq has never been chosen.