2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, maintained a timeless appeal with its traditional Jeep styling cues, such as the 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Its balanced appearance made it versatile enough to fit in both rugged trails and upscale environments, appealing to a diverse range of buyers across different demographics. The Grand Cherokee's exterior, especially in the Limited X trim with its Slate Blue Pearl paint, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, offered a mild-custom look that was well-received. However, the interior, particularly in models priced over $60,000, was criticized for its overuse of hard plastics, which detracted from the premium feel expected at that price point.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5. The XT6 Sport trim featured a distinct grille with darkened accents and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, enhancing its premium look. The interior, while similar to the XT5, offered slightly more space and came in four colour options. The seats, especially with the optional Platinum Package, were a highlight, offering semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microsuede headliner. However, the dashboard and some interior elements were less premium, with some cheaper-looking stitching and buttons. Despite these minor drawbacks, the XT6 maintained a luxurious feel overall.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came standard with a 295-horsepower, 3.6-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing satisfying acceleration and a fuel consumption rating of 11.3 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. For those seeking more power, three V8 engines were available, including the 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2-litre V8 in the Trackhawk model, which could accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. The Grand Cherokee offered four different 4WD systems, with the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system in the Limited X trim providing off-road capability. However, its driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The XT6 offered standard AWD in Canada, but its driving dynamics were hindered by its weight, particularly in the mid-rear, affecting its agility. The XT6's fuel economy was competitive, with the V6 engine consuming 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 11.5 combined. Despite its weight distribution issues, the XT6's performance was on par with its competitors in terms of power and fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered seating for five and cargo space of 1,028 litres behind the backseat, expanding to 1,934 litres with the seats folded. The front seats were heated and power-adjustable, but lacked ventilation. The interior provided decent storage, though some areas like the glovebox were limited. Rear passengers enjoyed comfort with air conditioning vents and USB ports, while adults found adequate legroom and support.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 provided seating for seven, with the option for captain’s chairs in the second row on higher trims. Adults could fit in the third row, though the XT6 offered less space than some competitors. Interior storage was limited, particularly for front-row passengers, and the wireless phone charger was not easily accessible. The XT6 excelled in cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats and a power liftgate, though the cargo load floor was high and space behind the third row was limited.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured the Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, navigation, and smartphone integration. While the system was user-friendly, the ride's bounciness could make selecting virtual buttons challenging. The Limited X trim included a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, with an optional 19-speaker Harman Kardon system available. Unique to Jeep was the Off-Road Pages app, providing off-roading data.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard features like tri-zone climate control, Bluetooth, and wireless smartphone integration. The system was adequate but not cutting-edge, with some users finding the screen crowded. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system and enhanced wireless charging. The XT6's tech was suitable for its class, though not exceptional.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee came with three ADAS packages, starting with ProTech I, which included a reversing camera and blind-spot monitoring. ProTech II added features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist, while Advanced ProTech II offered adaptive cruise control and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and poor ratings from the IIHS in some crash tests.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. However, the lane-keep assist system was not always reliable. The Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.