2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped mitigate its minivan-like tendencies, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. The AMG trim added a sporty touch, but it still couldn't compete in looks with rivals like the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior was a different story. The redesigned GLE Coupe boasted a streamlined and cohesive look, with a luxurious interior featuring high-quality materials, vibrant colors, and advanced technology. The red and black interior of the test model was particularly striking, offering a sense of opulence that outshone even Porsche and Audi.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6, on the other hand, exuded sophistication with its sharp lines and premium styling cues. The XT6 Sport model featured darkened accent pieces and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, giving it a definitively premium and Cadillac-specific look. The XT6 was available in seven paint colors, with most options requiring an additional surcharge. The interior, while similar to the XT5, offered three color options and could be upgraded with the Platinum Package for a more luxurious feel. The seats were a highlight, offering semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microsuede headliner. However, some elements of the dashboard and small-item storage fell short compared to competitors, making the overall interior experience less premium.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in performance with its complex suspension and engine setups. The base GLE 350 featured a 255-hp engine with 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 offered a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. The AMG GLE 53 took it up a notch with 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, thanks to an electric supercharger. The GLE 580 boasted a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, and the GLE 63 S topped the range with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. The GLE's air suspension systems, including AIRMATIC and E-Active Body Control, provided exceptional ride quality and handling. The hybrid setup in all but the base model offered additional horsepower and torque, though it didn't significantly improve fuel efficiency. The GLE's towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds was impressive, and its driving experience was exceptional, with precise steering and a comfortable ride.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The base XT6 Luxury model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 hp and 258 lb-ft. The XT6 Sport's AWD system made it feel heavy and less dynamic, especially in tight turns and under harsh acceleration. The XT6's fuel economy was on par with competitors, with the V6 engine achieving 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined in FWD models. The AWD models saw a slight decrease in efficiency. The Smart Towing package added useful features like hitch guidance and a hitch cover, but the XT6's driving dynamics were less impressive compared to rivals.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior with optional third-row seating, allowing for up to seven passengers. The second-row seats featured power controls for added comfort, and the third-row access was made easier with sliding and folding seats. The GLE Coupe, however, was limited to five passengers and had less cargo space due to its sloping roofline. Cargo capacity in the standard GLE was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The Coupe offered 23 and 61 cubic feet, respectively. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability with a single touchpad and simplified interface, though some controls required getting used to.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 provided seating for seven, with the option to upgrade to captain's chairs in the second row. The third row was spacious enough for adults, a notable improvement over older midsize SUVs. However, the XT6 had less head-, leg-, shoulder-, and hip room compared to competitors. Small-item storage in the front row was limited, and the wireless phone charger was not easily accessible. The XT6 excelled in cargo space, with a standard power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats. The cargo load floor was high, but this was typical for the class. Overall, the XT6's interior was functional but lacked the premium feel of some rivals.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was packed with advanced technology, including a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant for gesture control. The system allowed for customizable shortcuts and magnified icons for easier navigation. The AMG models featured a Track Pace app for tracking lap times and performance. The GLE also offered features like Seat Kinetics, which made small adjustments for comfort, and a head-up display with multiple layouts. The ambient lighting had 64 colors, and the navigation system used augmented reality for better directions. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a natural voice assistant, added to the tech-savvy experience. The GLE's semi-automated functionality included lane changes and adaptive cruise control, making it one of the most technologically advanced SUVs in its class.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a decent list of standard features, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a WiFi hotspot and six USB ports, were also standard. Buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. The infotainment screen, however, was smaller than those in some competitors and could appear crowded or lacking information depending on the use case. The XT6's tech offerings were suitable but not cutting-edge, making it a solid but unremarkable choice in terms of technology.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, scoring top marks in six crash tests and for its standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had not rated the GLE. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, and front cross-traffic braking. The GLE also offered Pre-Safe Sound to reduce hearing damage in a crash and Pre-Safe Impulse Side to better position occupants in a side impact. The brakes and stability control systems were designed to enhance safety further.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Premium Luxury and Sport models added lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The XT6's lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning systems were less reliable, often failing to read lines until the vehicle was over them. Optional safety packages included adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and a head-up display. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2020 XT6 a Top Safety Pick+.