2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a somewhat understated exterior design, with subtle changes from its predecessor. The tailgate glass was slightly more slanted, and the body panels featured more pronounced creases, giving it a more dynamic look. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout, rear bumper, headlights, grille, and lower front bumper. The Highlander came equipped with projector-beam LED headlights across all trims, while the higher trims, Limited and Platinum, boasted prettier LED running lamps and new 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior of the Highlander was where it truly shone, with a focus on quality fit and finish. Silver-painted accents highlighted the curves and angles, and the 8-inch touchscreen and climate controls appeared to float above the multi-layered dash. The colour palettes were pleasing, and the Limited trim featured a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, offering a level of detail and quality that was hard to find in its competitors.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. The XT6 Sport trim featured a traditionally styled grille with darkened accent pieces, complemented by 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights contributed to its premium appearance. The XT6 was available in eight paint colours, with most requiring an additional surcharge. Inside, the XT6's cabin was reminiscent of the XT5, offering four colour options and a focus on premium seating. The available Platinum Package elevated the interior with semi-aniline leather upholstery, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats. While the dashboard area was less premium than the seats, it still offered a comfortable and attractive environment.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration and a smooth, quiet ride. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride at higher speeds. However, it offered a comfortable and isolating driving experience, ideal for long road trips. The AWD system on the Limited and Platinum trims included torque vectoring and selectable driving modes, enhancing its handling capabilities. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the FWD model rated at 11.9 L/100 km in the city and 8.3 on the highway, while the AWD model achieved 11.7 L/100 km city and 8.6 highway.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was equipped with 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, but its driving dynamics were hindered by its weight, particularly in the mid-rear where the AWD mechanics were located. This affected its agility in various driving scenarios. The XT6's fuel economy was competitive, with the V6 engine consuming 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 on the highway. The entry-level turbocharged four-cylinder engine offered slightly better fuel efficiency, with 11.2 L/100 km city and 9.0 highway.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs on the Platinum trim. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous adjustments and easy access to the third row. The Highlander excelled in ergonomics, with wide-opening rear doors and comfortable seating heights. It featured three-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic moonroof on higher trims, and ample cargo space, with 453 litres behind the third row, 1,359 litres behind the second, and 2,378 litres with both rows folded. The interior boasted practical storage solutions, including eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and integrated dash shelves.

The Cadillac XT6 provided standard seating for seven, with the option to upgrade to captain's chairs in the second row on the Sport and Premium Luxury trims. Adults could fit in the third row, but the XT6 offered less headroom, legroom, shoulder room, and hip room compared to some competitors. The interior storage was limited, particularly for front-row occupants. The XT6 excelled in cargo space, with a power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats. However, the cargo load floor was relatively high, and there was limited space behind the third row.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen on the Platinum trim was underutilized, with limited usable area. However, it offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, along with a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch instrument cluster display. The semi-automated driving system, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams were notable features. The JBL audio system on higher trims provided decent sound quality, and the vehicle came with a range of connectivity options, including WiFi and USB ports.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with user profiles, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered a decent list of standard features, including tri-zone automatic climate control, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a WiFi hotspot. Buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. The XT6's technology was suitable for its class, though the infotainment screen could appear crowded or lacking information depending on the use case.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was awarded a 2020 Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

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 with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The XT6's lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning systems were less effective, but buyers could opt for additional safety packages. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.