2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Lexus GX

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 SUV rode on 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, which complemented its sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights. The interior mirrored the XT5's design but was slightly larger, offering four colour options and the possibility of upgrading to semi-aniline leather upholstery with the Platinum Package. While the seats were luxurious, the dashboard area was less premium, with some cheaper-looking elements.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460's styling reflected its long tenure on the market, maintaining the same basic body shell for over a decade. The GX featured the Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, contributing to its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim resembling molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Despite these drawbacks, the GX offered standard semi-aniline leather, but the overall interior experience felt dated compared to newer models.

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 V6 provided sufficient power, but the XT6 Sport's weight of 2,127 kilograms made it feel less dynamic, especially in turns. The SUV's fuel economy was competitive, with the V6 achieving 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 on the highway.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460, on the other hand, was equipped with a 4.6-litre V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's 2,349 kilograms made its presence felt at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen centre differential, 4WD system with a low range, and various off-road modes. Its towing capacity was 2,948 kilograms, but its fuel economy was not specified.

The Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven, with the option to upgrade to captain's chairs in the second row. Adults could fit in the third row, but the XT6 had less room than some competitors. Interior storage was limited, and the wireless phone charger was not easily accessible. However, the XT6 excelled in cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats and a standard power liftgate. The cargo load floor was high, but typical for the class.

The Lexus GX's interior ergonomics showed its age, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. The dashboard shape provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with small centre-console bins and cupholders. The GX offered seating for seven, but the third row was best for children, and accessing it was challenging. Cargo space was limited with the third row up, and the GX's overall cargo capacity was less than some competitors.

The Cadillac XT6 featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. Standard features included tri-zone automatic climate control, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and six USB ports. Buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and other amenities.

The Lexus GX, however, was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. While the touchscreen was primitive, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

The Cadillac XT6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, and lane-keep assist. Premium Luxury and Sport models added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.

The Lexus GX 460 featured the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features found in other Lexus models, and crash-test ratings were not available from the NHTSA or IIHS.