The Cadillac XT6 is Cadillac's new crossover SUV, featuring a 6-passenger, 3-row seating configuration. This special feature highlights a day spent with the highly anticipated, car-loving creator and the latest design of the XT6. In this second installment, we feature the president of the globally renowned jazz band SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS.

The driver's door of the Cadillac XT6 opens quietly. Stepping out is "Shacho" (President). Though it sounds like a quirky nickname, he has gone by "Shacho" since forming SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS with fellow musicians at a lounge bar in Roppongi 19 years ago.

Shacho is widely known not only among musicians and jazz enthusiasts but also as a car aficionado. He is knowledgeable about not just iconic cars of the past, but also current and future models.

He never misses the Tokyo Motor Show or Tokyo Auto Salon, and he even served as a facilitator for a special J-WAVE program at the Automobile Council last year and the year before, providing commentary from the venue.

So, what was Shacho's first impression of the Cadillac XT6?

"It's surprisingly agile. At first, the soft suspension felt very American, but it settles down as you pick up speed. The body never sways excessively. It seems to excel at driving straight ahead, too. It would be great for long drives. In fact, driving on the highway is a pleasure."

That day, at Shacho's invitation, DJ friends gathered at CITAN, a hostel, cafe, bar & dining establishment located in a corner of Nihonbashi-Odenmachō, Tokyo. From left in the photo below are Hyota Otani, Shacho, MIDORI AOYAMA, Sauce81, DJ KAWASAKI, and Chloé Juliette. The bar & dining area in CITAN's B1 also features a DJ booth, and before long, conversations were lively with records in hand.

Including Shacho, there were six people gathered that day. Since the XT6 also has six seats, the idea came up: "Why don't we all try riding in it?"

When the topic turned to what music to listen to in the Cadillac XT6, Chloé suggested, "Speaking of Cadillac, Vince Taylor's 'Brand New Cadillac' might be good."

Someone replied, "If it's 'Brand New Cadillac,' I'd go with Brian Setzer's version."

Shacho calmly concluded, "But since we're all DJs, maybe we can just connect our phones via Bluetooth and take turns playing our tunes. The BOSE sound system (Bose® Performance Series Surround Sound System with 14 speakers) is quite impressive, too."

So, where would you go if you took the XT6 out? This led to a flurry of suggestions: "I'd love to go to a hot spring," "Maybe a festival in the mountains, with tents and all," "How about Lake Haruna and Ikaho Onsen?"

Then the discussion moved to which festival. Shacho once again brought the opinions together.

"Perhaps attending 'FFKT' held at Kodama Forest (Kiso District, Nagano Prefecture) would be fitting, with a bit of consideration. It's a dance music festival that unusually emphasizes DJs, so I think it would be perfect for this group."

All six of them fit into the car surprisingly smoothly. The driver and front passenger seats are spacious, as are the second and third rows, each with individual seats. Even with everyone seated, no one was forced into an awkward posture.

Everyone, how do you feel about the ride?

"It's spacious; it feels like we could go on a long trip."

"My image of Cadillac was always black, low, and wide, but this is practical even for a large group."

"I didn't really have an image of a Cadillac SUV, but once you ride in it, you understand."

After spending time with his friends, we asked Shacho: Did your impression of the XT6 change after riding in it with everyone?

"The conversation flowed so well, I even felt like going somewhere right then and there. It was only when everyone was inside that I truly realized it's a car over 5 meters long. The visibility to the sides is excellent, and the handling precision is so high that if I wanted to shift just 5 centimeters left or right within the lane, I could do it instantly. That was true even with six people inside."

"It's a Cadillac, but the XT6 gives you the feeling that you can invite friends and just head out without a specific destination. It has excellent craftsmanship combined with usability; it's a Cadillac, yet also a practical SUV. I also appreciate that it doesn't feel overly large when driving."

Now that you've driven the XT6, what image do you have of Cadillac?

"I like older American cars, but I'm also interested in the latest Cadillacs, and I've actually test-driven most of the current models. While it's a brand with tradition, it's not stuffy and constantly pursues cutting-edge comfort. The CT6, for example, was fantastic. However, perhaps because the traditional image is too strong, it's a shame that this isn't more widely known, even among car enthusiasts."

Finally, please tell us: What's your recommended music to listen to in the XT6?

"...There's a label called Brainfeeder on the West Coast of America that fuses jazz and hip-hop. I think an album from them would be great. I feel it shares something with Cadillac in how tradition and the cutting edge blend so comfortably."

Spec
Cadillac XT6 Platinum
Cadillac XT6 Night Cruise Edition
Body Dimensions | Length 5,060 x Width 1,960 x Height 1,775mm
Vehicle Weight | 2,110kg
Engine | 3,649cc V6 DOHC
Max Output | 213kW (314ps) / 6,700rpm
Max Torque | 368Nm (37.5kgm) / 5,000rpm
Transmission | 9-speed AT
Drivetrain | 4WD
Seating Capacity | 6 people
Price | ¥8,700,000 (Night Cruise Edition ¥9,100,000)