2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 INFINITI QX60

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. The XT6 Sport trim, 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. Cadillac offered the XT6 in eight paint colours, with most requiring an additional surcharge. Inside, the XT6's cabin mirrored the XT5's design but was slightly larger, offering four colour options. The seats were a highlight, especially with the available Platinum Package, which upgraded them to semi-aniline leather. However, the dashboard area, while not unattractive, lacked the premium feel of the seats.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a complete makeover, boasting a new exterior design that was both dramatic and attractive. The front featured a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes, giving it a concept-car look. The side profile conveyed elegance with a long hood and steeply raked windshield, while the rear elevation was tasteful. Inside, the QX60 felt wide and open, with quilted leather upholstery on the Autograph trim level. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display was well-placed, and the TFT instrument panel provided crisp graphics. The QX60's interior craftsmanship and build quality were commendable, reflecting Infiniti's reputation for high standards.

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 XT6 Premium Luxury trim, while the base XT6 Luxury model featured a 2.0L turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower. 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 Sport model, which weighed 2,127 kilograms. This weight distribution issue affected its handling, making it less dynamic compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Acura MDX. Fuel economy for the XT6 was on par with its rivals, with the V6 engine consuming 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 on the highway.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The new nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, significantly improving the driving experience. The QX60's suspension was reworked, providing a smooth and serene ride, although it wasn't designed for aggressive cornering. The vehicle's fuel consumption was estimated at 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.5 on the highway. The QX60 excelled in providing comfort for passengers, with generous leg and headroom in the second and third rows.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven, with the option to upgrade to 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, shoulder room, and hip room compared to competitors. The interior storage was not ideal for families, 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 2022 INFINITI QX60 provided ample storage and comfort for all passengers. The centre console featured a cubby for smartphones and covered storage, while the second-row seats could slide to share space between rows. The QX60 offered 411 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 2,135 litres with both rows folded. The vehicle also had a towing capacity of up to 2,721 kilograms with additional equipment.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with standard features like an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the infotainment screen was smaller than competitors, and the system could appear crowded. Buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose audio system and other premium features.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 impressed with its 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Higher trims included a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror. The QX60 also featured a 17-speaker Bose Performance series sound system on Sensory and Autograph models.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 was equipped with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist. However, the lane-keep assist system struggled to read lines accurately. 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 INFINITI QX60 included standard safety features such as forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning. While crash-test ratings were not available, the previous generation received high ratings, and the 2022 model was expected to perform similarly. The QX60 also offered ProPilot Assist and other advanced driver assistance systems.