2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. Updated in 2020 with 40 enhancements, the XT5 carried these improvements into 2021. The SUV featured a more snub-nosed exterior with distinct trim level differentiations, standard LED lights, and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the XT5's Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, offering a more upscale feel than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer.

In contrast, the 2021 Lincoln Aviator embraced a unique design, avoiding the temptation to mimic its rivals. The Aviator, introduced in 2020, carried over its sharp, chrome-accented exterior into 2021. Inside, it differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a warm, comfortable cabin featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Aviator's piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to its luxurious ambiance, making it a standout in Lincoln's lineup.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 hp and 237 lb-ft of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but clunkier downshifts, especially in Sport mode. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg with AWD during a 2,000-mile test drive, surpassing the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid version of the same engine, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid could travel up to 21 miles on electric power alone. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered unique modes like "Excite" and "Conserve," enhancing its driving experience. However, its long wheelbase made it less maneuverable in tight spaces.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 provided enough room for four adults in two rows, though it technically seated five. The back seat offered good legroom but limited headroom for tall occupants. The front seats, despite their appearance, were not comfortable for long trips. The XT5 had 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors, but a deep rear cargo area with a cargo-management system. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone and small map pockets.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator offered 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second row, especially with captain's chairs, provided ample space and comfort, including a digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls. The Aviator's power-button door releases were a unique feature, though potentially problematic if the battery died.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with a streamlined design and haptic feedback controls. The system included a rotary controller, one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system were available. The XT5 also offered a rear camera mirror and a head-up display (HUD).

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was intuitive and easy to use. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, presented with large icons. The Aviator also featured a fully digital instrument panel and an optional HUD with crisp graphics. The infotainment system's landscape format provided a natural layout, enhancing usability.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. The available Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, and the Teen Driver software allowed parents to monitor and limit vehicle features for young drivers.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came with the standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.