There’s just something about a third row. Folding up those back seats to haul a gaggle of kids is a benefit gargantuan SUVs have, but they usually come with more real estate than some folks need or want. That rear bench isn’t usually an option with smaller car-based crossovers. So, to feed the American need for third rows—which has become a bona fide search filter—Cadillac rolled out its second iteration of the XT6 midsize SUV. GM handed over the keys for a 900-mile New York to Virginia family road trip. Here’s what we learned about the 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport.
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Day 1: That third row
While it might seem mundane to start at the third row, it’s an important distinction with the XT6. The Cadillac’s rear seat is roomier than you’d expect. Our Sport trim tester had a middle row of captain’s chairs instead of an optional bench. This reduces the total seating from eight to seven, but provides ample leg room. Still, this orientation makes it much easier for kids to get in and down a center aisle. Once they get into the back, they’ll have just about the most headroom in the class. Taller adults can squeeze back there too without feeling claustrophobic.
Controlling the rear split bench is easy. Switches on the rear doors and in the trunk give you access no matter where you are. Everyone in the rear has access to charge ports and their fair share of the HVAC. Where things can get tight is the cargo space behind that third row. At about 12 1/2 cubic feet, it’s enough for three carry-on suitcases, a mid-week grocery store run, or maybe some baseball gear from little league. That all changes if you fold both rows down. Then you can easily toss in a mountain bike—not that you’d want to muddy up a Cadillac’s interior, but the principle is nice.
My wife and I are night packers. We folded the rear seats down the evening before our early-morning start and had enough room for two carry-on bags, a full-size duffle, a few totes of odds and ends, snacks, gear for the dog we were dropping off along the way, and even a fan (we’re serious about sleep hygiene, OK?).
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Day 2: Settling into the styling
The XT6 is right at home with the same aggressive styling stretched across Cadillac’s 2021 lineup. Those modern, clean lines are all over the exterior. However, it’s most predominant upfront with the wide grille, slender horizontal headlights, and vertical fog lights. The rear end is less dramatic though it does a clever job tucking the windshield wiper up into the spoiler. The glossy black accents and dark paint inside the 20-inch wheels—which also help visually fill the wheel well—give the car a very street-forward look from the curb.
Inside, the design and seating is very comfortable—even seven hours in. An intuitive front console makes controlling the 8-inch infotainment screen a snap. The XT6 syncs with Apple and Android pretty seamlessly and USB ports are sprinkled throughout the cabin; there’s also a handy wireless charger port. Controlling the infotainment is a well-positioned click wheel. It’s in perfect striking distance for those who like to hang their right hand down off the padded center armrest to spin, shift, and press away. While the color and graphics are crisp, and the information is easily visible (aka not cramped), it’s common to see screens upwards of 12 inches in this class.
The soft surfaces like the seats, wheel, and dash are a buttery leather with contrasting stitching. Our Sport tester had carbon fiber accents spread around the cabin. The large two-pane glass roof stretches almost entirely over the middle row, introducing plenty of sunlight. A retractable sunscreen takes the edge off hard mid-day sun, and temperature-controlled seats keep everyone comfortable in a more personal way than dual climate controls can.
We found the interior to be quiet when humming along at highway speeds, and our tester came fitted with 16 Bose speakers (instead of the standard eight), which performed well with decent clarity and bass.
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Day 3: Hitting the open road
For 2021, Cadillac paired the XT6 with either a four-cylinder engine or the V6, which powered our tester. The smaller engine is new for 2021 and is only available in one of three trim levels. Our guess is that it helps bring the starting cost down. But an SUV of this size needs the 3.6-liter V6, which gets the XT6 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Compare the specs and that’s decent for a ride of this size, but it’s far from a speed demon. You can find more nimble options in this class. It’s also not something you’ll want to take off-roading. For one, the front end might scrape pulling out of some suburban driveways. There’s an AWD option, but it requires manual implementation when you think you’ll need it in snow, ice, or rain, instead of automatically adjusting at a luxury ride’s price point.
On the I-95, our Sport tester did well easing the dingy road surfaces for a supple ride. There was a touch of bounce in the cabin we could see being a comfort issue, but it proved cushy for cruising around town and long stretches of windy backroads. Are there seats with more adjustments on the market? Yes, but the XT6 had enough lumbar support to keep us happy. It has enough guts to pass at highway speeds to boot. If you spin the dial to sport mode and mash on the pedal, there’s a pleasing amount of throaty feedback. Visibility is excellent as well, with a suite of cameras covering every angle.
In areas where the XT6 lacks compared to the domestic and imported third-row segment—like towing, infotainment screen size, what might seem like an underwhelming drivetrain—it makes up for with safety tech. As parents are the likeliest buyers of the XT6, that carries a lot of weight. The Cadillac’s an IIHS top safety pick and earned a five-star NHTSA rating for front and side crash rating. Our tester came with Cadillac’s standard bag of safety tech including cruise control with distance assist, automatic emergency braking, and cross-traffic alert. The distance control feature was a snap to adjust from the steering wheel’s controls. But there’s an optional Driver Assist package (about $1,300 extra) if you want features like adaptive cruise control with braking down to zero, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and rear automatic emergency braking.
Bottom line: The XT6 has top-notch safety features, comfortable seats, and more room in the third row than you’d expect. But topping out at about 310 horsepower, we wish GM fitted the XT6 with a punchier engine. It starts at $56,890 and the Sport trim we tested clocked in at over $72,000, which puts it in a class with German imports and Lincoln.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
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1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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