Cadillac XT6 vs Toyota Corolla Cross

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross presented a conservative design, pulling back from Toyota's recent daring styles. Its snub nose was reminiscent of the Toyota Tundra, and it featured the obligatory tall ride height and plastic fender flares typical of SUVs. Despite these elements, the overall look was understated, perhaps to ensure it didn't overshadow the larger RAV4. The Corolla Cross was notably compact, being 13.5 centimetres shorter than the RAV4, yet larger than the Toyota C-HR, offering more interior space. Subtle styling details included scalloping around the rear door handles and hidden Corolla Cross logos throughout the vehicle. The interior closely resembled the Corolla sedan and hatchback, with oversized door handles akin to the RAV4. However, material quality felt below that of the Corolla sedan and hatch, with the base L model feeling basic and the XLE offering SofTex leatherette upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, on the other hand, exuded a blandly inoffensive appeal. Its towering front running lights and vertical taillights gave it a tall and narrow appearance, aligning with Cadillac's conservatively tailored image. The XT6 was available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, with prices starting under $60,000 in Canada. Our test vehicle, a Premium Luxury model, was equipped with polished 20-inch alloy wheels and a Jet Black semi-aniline leather interior. Despite its rich materials and sophisticated driving assistance technology, the interior didn't quite match the luxury SUV price tag, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen that felt outdated. The XT6's interior was unexpectedly narrow, attributed to its relationship with the GMC Acadia rather than the Buick Enclave.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 169 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with an actual first gear for responsive acceleration. While the Corolla Cross impressed with its off-the-line response, it exhibited typical CVT issues at higher speeds, such as engine droning and rubber-banding. The engine worked hard to maintain highway pace, but the interior remained quiet, and the ride quality was solid. The optional AWD system, shared with the Toyota Camry, could send 10% to 50% of torque to the rear wheels, though body roll was noticeable during hard cornering. With 20.8 centimetres of ground clearance, the Corolla Cross wasn't designed for off-roading, and its 680-kilogram towing capacity was modest.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The V6, available in Premium Luxury and Sport trims, provided sufficient power, though it lacked the turbocharged zing of competitors. Our test vehicle featured an adaptive-damping performance suspension and 20-inch wheels, delivering a smooth and capable ride. The XT6's driving dynamics leaned towards serenity rather than excitement, with smooth steering and responsive brakes. Fuel economy for the V6 was rated at 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test vehicle achieving 12.0 L/100 km.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross offered more passenger and cargo space than the Corolla hatchback, with an extra 5 centimetres of rear legroom and 3.5 centimetres of rear headroom. It featured standard rear climate-control vents and dual-zone automatic climate control on XLE models. Cargo space was generous, with 750 litres behind the rear seats and 1,890 litres with the seats folded. However, the interior wasn't particularly comfortable, with hard and unsupportive seats and a tall, upright driving position that felt SUV-like but not ideal for long trips.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, expected to be spacious, felt narrow inside. The power-adjustable front seats were comfortable, especially with optional semi-aniline leather, but lacked massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs offered good legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped for adults. Storage space was decent but unremarkable, with a small dashboard cubby and centre armrest bin. Cargo space measured 357 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,200 litres with the seats folded, and a maximum of 2,229 litres.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen on base models, with an 8-inch screen on LE and XLE trims. The XLE also included a 7-inch digital instrument cluster. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM were standard, with a nine-speaker JBL audio system on XLE models. The infotainment system was user-friendly but lacked sophistication, with plain graphics and slow boot-up times. Two front USB-A ports were standard, with additional ports for rear passengers on LE models. Wireless charging was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered advanced features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision, and Super Cruise, but fell short in instrumentation and infotainment. It lacked digital gauges, featuring analog gauges with a driver information display. The 8-inch touchscreen was small, but the software was excellent, with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The intuitive voice recognition was a highlight, though climate control couldn't be operated by voice. Usability issues included touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive indicator lights. The available Bose audio system sounded great, but the head-up display was unimpressive.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and Lane Tracing Assist. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while XLE models featured front and rear park assist with automatic braking. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The standout feature was Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving-assist system. While impressive, it had limitations, such as inconsistent braking and lane-keeping. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.