2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Lexus RX

The 2020 Lexus RX received a significant refresh, enhancing its appeal both inside and out. The updates were more than just minor tweaks, as the styling changes allowed the RX to stand out in a competitive market. Despite its age, the RX maintained a stylish edge over its Toyota counterparts. The exterior boasted standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlamps. The grille was redesigned to align with Lexus cars, and a new paint option, Moonbeam Beige Metallic, was introduced. The rear featured a new shape with dual exhaust, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, complemented by an available hands-free tailgate.

Inside, the RX continued to impress with its well-appointed cabin. Standard features included heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated exterior mirrors. Various interior colour and material combinations were available, with leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard. The F Sport appearance packages added unique features like a distinctive steering wheel, shift knob, aluminum pedals, and 20-inch wheels. The interior felt premium, with leather-wrapped surfaces and a hardy design suitable for family life. However, the centre stack's dated look was a drawback as the industry moved towards more modern designs.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, the XT6 Sport featured a traditional grille with darkened accents and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights contributed to its premium appearance. Cadillac offered the XT6 in eight paint colours, with most requiring an additional charge. A sunroof was standard across the lineup.

The interior of the XT6 mirrored the XT5, albeit slightly larger. It came in four colour options and featured seats that epitomized luxury SUV aesthetics. The Platinum Package elevated the interior with semi-aniline leather upholstery, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats. While the seats were a highlight, the dashboard area was less premium, with some cheaper-looking elements. However, the steering wheel and console surfaces felt good to the touch.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard. The RX 350 L variant had slightly reduced power at 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450h L shared the same setup. The hybrid models featured an electronically controlled CVT and multiple electric motors for enhanced performance. The RX was not particularly athletic, taking 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, but it offered a smooth driving experience with various drive modes, including an EV mode for hybrids. Fuel efficiency was a strong suit, with the RX 350 achieving 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 450h used 7.9 L/100 km combined.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was equipped with a 3.6-litre V6 engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The base XT6 Luxury model featured a 2.0L turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine provided ample power, and the nine-speed transmission offered smooth shifts. Standard all-wheel drive was available in Canada. However, the XT6 struggled with driving dynamics due to its weight distribution, particularly in the Sport model, which weighed 2,127 kilograms. This affected its agility compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Acura MDX. Fuel economy was competitive, with the V6 engine consuming 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 11.5 combined.

The 2020 Lexus RX offered a spacious interior, though not as minimalist or stylish as some German competitors. The two-row RX comfortably accommodated four adults, while the three-row RX-L's third row was best suited for small children. The cabin was wide and tall, with comfortable front seats and decent visibility. However, the A-pillar could impede the driver's view. The cargo area was smaller than rivals, with a high load floor affecting space. The RX 350 L and 450h L also had less cargo space compared to competitors like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on certain models.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 provided seating for seven, with the option for captain's chairs in the second row on Sport and Premium Luxury trims. Adults could fit in the third row, a feature that older midsize SUVs struggled with. However, the XT6 had less headroom, legroom, shoulder room, and hip room than many competitors. Interior storage was limited, particularly for front-row occupants. The wireless phone charger was a deep-pocket type, making it less accessible. The XT6 excelled in rear cargo space, with a standard power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats. The cargo load floor was high, but typical for the class.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was often criticized, but improvements were made for 2020. The display was moved closer to the driver, and the system became a touchscreen. However, it remained challenging to navigate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, providing a workaround for the system's shortcomings. The RX also offered Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other connectivity options. The centre console touchpad system improved in responsiveness. The RX featured six USB ports and a standard 12-speaker audio system, with an optional 15-speaker Mark Levinson system.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6's technology was suitable for its class, though not cutting-edge. It featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, tri-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose system, navigation, and other features. The infotainment screen was smaller than competitors, and its usability varied depending on the scenario.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a backup camera. Additional features included daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Premium Luxury and Sport models added lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. The XT6 struggled with lane-keep assist accuracy. Optional packages included adaptive cruise control and enhanced visibility features. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.