2022 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 presented itself with a polished exterior, featuring 20-inch alloy wheels and a sleek Stellar Black paint job. Inside, the Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior exuded a sense of luxury, reminiscent of a formal black-tie event. The XT6's design was conservative, with towering front running lights and taillights similar to those on GMC models. Despite its elegant appearance, the XT6's interior did not quite match the luxury expected at its price point, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen that felt outdated compared to its competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza boasted a modern and sleek design, fitting comfortably within the Lexus lineup. Its exterior featured a deeply scalloped body side and a prominent tailgate with LED lighting. Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like interior with high-quality materials and an elegant layout. The cabin was spacious, with supportive front seats and ample room for three adults in the rear. The Venza's design prioritized comfort and practicality, making it an appealing choice for families.

The Cadillac XT6 came with two engine options. The base model featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. While the V6 provided sufficient power, it lacked the turbocharged excitement found in some competitors. The XT6's adaptive-damping suspension and 20-inch wheels contributed to a smooth ride, but the driving experience leaned more towards comfort than excitement. Fuel economy for the V6 was rated at 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving.

The Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system seamlessly balanced electric and gas power, with the rear electric motors providing all-wheel drive capability. The Venza offered multiple drive modes, including electric-only operation for short distances. Its regenerative braking system helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, enhancing efficiency. The Venza's performance was agile and sprightly, with a focus on comfort and practicality rather than aggressive driving. Its hybrid setup provided excellent fuel efficiency, with a range of over 800 kilometres on a full tank.

Inside the Cadillac XT6, the front seats were comfortable and offered heating and ventilation, but lacked the range of adjustments and massage functions found in some rivals. The second-row captain's chairs provided good legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. The XT6 offered 357 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 1,200 litres with the rear seats folded. The maximum cargo volume was 2,229 litres, but storage space was otherwise unremarkable.

The Toyota Venza accommodated five passengers in two rows, with ample headroom and legroom. The second row offered 114.8 cm of hip room, making it comfortable for three adults. The cabin featured numerous convenience features, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and a spacious glove compartment. The Venza's lithium-ion battery pack was located beneath the second-row seats, minimizing its impact on cargo capacity. It offered 816 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1,560 litres with the seats folded. The Venza's cabin was designed for quiet and comfortable travel, with sound-blocking materials enhancing its serene atmosphere.

The Cadillac XT6 offered advanced features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free driving-assistance system. However, it lacked digital gauges, relying on analog ones instead. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was intuitive but felt outdated in terms of display size. It included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The available Bose Performance Series audio system provided excellent sound quality, but the head-up display was less impressive compared to other GM vehicles.

The Toyota Venza's hybrid powertrain required no special attention, offering a seamless driving experience without the need for charging infrastructure. Its Predicted Efficient Drive program optimized battery charging based on driving habits. The Venza LE featured an eight-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while the XLE and Limited trims added a 12.3-inch touchscreen, JBL audio system, and head-up display. The Limited trim also included a digital rearview mirror and rain-sensing wipers. Toyota Connected Services provided additional safety and convenience features.

The Cadillac XT6 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The standout feature was the Super Cruise system, which allowed for hands-free highway driving on approved roads. However, it had limitations in certain situations, requiring driver intervention. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. It also featured eight airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, which included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.