2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. The XT6 Sport model, in particular, featured a traditionally styled grille with darkened accents, enhancing its premium appearance. The vehicle's sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights contributed to its upscale look. Inside, the XT6's interior mirrored the XT5's design but offered more space. The cabin's highlight was the luxurious seats, especially with the optional Platinum Package, which added semi-aniline leather upholstery and other premium touches. However, the dashboard area, while not unattractive, had some elements that appeared less premium.

In contrast, the 2021 Buick Enclave harked back to Buick's glory days with its impressive size and presence. The Enclave Avenir trim added a unique grille pattern and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its premium appeal. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist design with polished accents and soft leather seats, though the wood trim was not genuine. The cabin was spacious and quiet, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts, and offered a comfortable ride with features like a massaging driver's seat and heated steering wheel. However, the electronic transmission shifter was noted as fussy, though manageable with time.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine was also standard in the Premium Luxury trim, while the base Luxury model featured a 2.0L turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower. The XT6's V6 provided ample power, but the SUV's weight distribution affected its driving dynamics, making it feel less agile compared to competitors. Fuel economy for the V6 was rated at 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 on the highway.

The 2021 Buick Enclave also featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The Enclave's V6 offered strong acceleration, and its premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping provided a smooth ride. The Enclave's fuel efficiency was rated at 11.2 L/100 km combined, with the AWD model using 11.8 L/100 km. The Enclave's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, and its ride quality was praised for handling various driving conditions with ease.

The Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven, with the option for captain's chairs in the second row on higher trims. While adults could fit in the third row, the XT6 had less interior space compared to some competitors. The SUV's cargo space was a highlight, with power-folding third-row seats and a power liftgate, though the cargo load floor was high.

The Buick Enclave, being one of the largest in its class, provided ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured luxurious seating with massaging functions and a heated steering wheel. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious, and the cargo area offered 668 litres of space behind the third row, expanding to 2,764 litres with seats folded down.

The Cadillac XT6 came with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. However, the screen size was smaller compared to competitors, and the infotainment system could appear crowded.

The Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations with quick response and a user-friendly interface. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, the 8-inch touchscreen and 10-speaker Bose sound system were less impressive compared to rivals. The Enclave offered a rear camera mirror, providing a live video view of what's behind the vehicle.

The Cadillac XT6 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. However, its lane-keep assist system struggled with accuracy. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.

The Buick Enclave's safety features were more limited, with some systems only available on higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package included forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning, but adaptive cruise control was only available with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal-impact protection was rated four stars.