2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Ford Expedition

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 distinctively 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, embodying Cadillac's luxury ethos. The interior mirrored the XT5's design, offering slightly more space due to the XT6's larger size. It was available in four colour options, with the Platinum Package elevating the cabin's luxury with semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microsuede headliner. While the seats were a highlight, the dashboard's design was less premium, though still attractive.

The 2022 Ford Expedition underwent significant updates, including exterior styling revisions and enhanced infotainment technology. It featured a new grille, headlights, and bumper, giving it a refreshed look. The Expedition was available in various trims, including the off-road-focused Timberline and the Stealth Edition with blacked-out accents. Inside, the redesigned dashboard housed the new Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with the latter offering a massive 15.5-inch touchscreen. The Limited Stealth Edition test vehicle boasted leather-lined seats and a 12.4-inch digital instrumentation display. Despite some F-150-grade plastic trim, the Expedition impressed with its tech and comfort, making it a strong contender in the full-size SUV segment.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was equipped with 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, and the nine-speed transmission shifted smoothly. However, the XT6's driving dynamics were hindered by its weight, particularly in the AWD Sport model, which weighed 2,127 kilograms. This weight distribution issue affected its agility compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Acura MDX. Fuel economy for the V6 was 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 on the highway.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Stealth Edition Performance Package could boost output to 440 hp and 510 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel. The Expedition's powertrain offered impressive towing capacity, up to 4,173 kg, and a fuel economy range of 12.9 to 13.9 L/100 km. The twin-turbo V6 delivered addictive power and a pleasing exhaust note, though it consumed more fuel when pushed hard. The Expedition's driving dynamics were generally good, but the Stealth Edition's sport-tuned suspension could be harsh on uneven pavement. Despite its size, the Expedition was surprisingly easy to park, thanks to excellent visibility and parking aids.

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 headroom, legroom, and shoulder room compared to rivals like the Acura MDX and Kia Telluride. Interior storage was limited, particularly for front-row passengers. The XT6 excelled in cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats and a standard power liftgate. However, the cargo load floor was high, and space behind the third row was limited.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in interior space and comfort, with available electric running boards for easy access. The test vehicle featured power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain's chairs provided ample legroom and climate controls, while the third row offered good leg support but limited headroom. Cargo space behind the third row measured 546 litres, with the option to fold seats for more space. The Expedition Max variant offered even more cargo capacity, making it ideal for families needing extra room.

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 and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose system, navigation, and heated/ventilated seats. While the tech was adequate, the infotainment screen was smaller than competitors, and the interface could feel crowded.

The 2022 Ford Expedition introduced the Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with the latter offering a 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and FordPass Connect. Sync 4A added features like conversational voice recognition and an adaptive dashcard interface. The test vehicle's 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system had some fidelity issues, but a 22-speaker B&O Unleashed system was available on higher trims. The Expedition also offered a dual-touchscreen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV and Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 for easier trailer reversing.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a comprehensive suite of 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 Ford Expedition featured Ford Co-Pilot360 safety systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist. The Platinum trim included Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 with a surround-view camera and rear automatic emergency braking. The Expedition also offered BlueCruise hands-free driving technology and Road Edge Detection. While adaptive cruise control performed well, lane-centring assist had some issues, particularly in heavy traffic.