2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, the XT6 Sport model stood out with its darkened accent pieces on the grille and bumper, complemented by 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights added to its premium appeal. The interior mirrored the XT5's design, offering slightly more space due to its larger size. It featured four colour options and the Platinum Package, which elevated the cabin with semi-aniline leather upholstery and premium finishes.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a mix of Cadillac's trademark design elements, such as a bold grille and vertical taillights, with a compact footprint and tall profile. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered distinct styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package for its standout features. The design lacked a strong theme, unlike its competitors, and didn't have brand-specific markers to remind occupants they were in a Cadillac.

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 and 258 lb-ft of torque. The V6 provided ample power, but the XT6's driving dynamics were hindered by its weight, particularly in the mid-rear due to the AWD mechanics. This affected its agility compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Acura MDX. Fuel economy was competitive, with the V6 consuming 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 on the highway.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered a base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the 3.6-litre V6 was standard on the Sport trim and optional on the Premium Luxury. The V6 provided sufficient power for everyday driving, with smooth power delivery and quick shifts from the nine-speed automatic transmission. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, enhancing ride comfort and body control. The steering was well-suited for luxury driving, and the cabin remained impressively quiet.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven, with the option for captain's chairs in the second row on Sport and Premium Luxury trims. While adults could fit in the third row, the XT6 had less room compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Interior storage was limited, particularly for front-row occupants. The rear cargo space was a highlight, with more capacity than many rivals, aided by a power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favourably to German luxury crossovers in terms of interior space, offering more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. However, it trailed in rear headroom and front legroom compared to the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but not up to luxury standards, with narrow bottom cushions and insufficient padding. Cargo space was generous, with 850 litres behind the rear seats and 1,784 litres with them folded. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen provided additional storage.

The 2021 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. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. The infotainment screen was smaller than competitors, sometimes appearing crowded or lacking information.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 also had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The optional Technology Package added an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. While usability improved over previous systems, the tech was merely adequate compared to rivals. The rotary controller and capacitive touchpads were not ideally placed, and the buttons on the centre console were difficult to find while driving. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came 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 Driver Assist Package offered adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist as standard. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking. The Technology Package included a surround-vision camera system and night vision. The XT5 received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.