2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured a clean, crisp exterior design that hid its long, boxy shape under smooth body panels and limited creases. It showcased satin-painted silver surrounding the windows and a medium-sized silver mesh grille, with thin LED headlights and vertical running lamps adding a touch of flair. The XT6's design was restrained and tasteful, avoiding bright chrome and oversized elements, making it stylish without being boring. However, the interior did not match the exterior's sophistication. Despite having soft leather, microsuede, and gold-tinted carbon fiber trim, the seats were thin and lacked support. The lower center stack and console were wrapped in cheap vinyl, and the screens were small. The overall interior felt outdated compared to competitors.

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite its age, received some design tweaks, including the hourglass grille that was less garish on the GX than on other Lexus models. The GX's decade-old design was evident, but its rugged capability, shared with the Toyota 4Runner, made up for the lack of innovation. The interior also showed its age with a large, chunky center console and big buttons, reminiscent of early 2010s Lexus styling. However, this basic design worked for the GX's rugged nature. The GX was available in three trims: 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury, each offering a range of features from leather upholstery to advanced tech like navigation and rear-seat entertainment.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. While it could tow up to 4,000 pounds, the engine was coarse-sounding and not as responsive as newer turbocharged V6 engines. The 9-speed automatic transmission provided quick shifts and well-spaced ratios, and the XT6 felt balanced and controlled with all-wheel drive and adaptive dampers. The steering was direct and nicely weighted, especially in Sport mode. However, the XT6 lacked advanced suspension options like MagneRide dampers, which competitors offered. Fuel economy was average, with AWD models rated at 17 mpg city and 24 highway.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 engine delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive. While the horsepower might not impress, the V8 provided a swell of power in real-world driving. The GX's steering was light but direct and responsive, and the self-leveling air suspension offered a smooth yet composed ride. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with various 4WD modes and adjustable suspension settings. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, fuel economy was poor, with ratings of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 offered a livable third-row seat with decent knee room, USB ports, cupholders, and air vents. The third row power-folded, and the second-row seats mechanically dropped down. Headroom was good in all seating positions, and the cabin was quiet. Cargo volume was 12.6 cubic feet with all seats up, 43.1 with the third row down, and 78.7 with both rows down. Visibility was excellent, aided by a digital mirror with a widescreen camera. The XT6's controls were user-friendly, with an improved touchscreen infotainment system and an alternative rotary controller.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on Premium and Luxury trims, with the latter also featuring power-folding third-row seats. The captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, but getting into the third row was challenging for adults. Cargo space was limited to 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded, less than some competitors. The GX had a unique side-opening rear hatch and a separately opening rear window, which was convenient for quick access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured an infotainment system that was a significant improvement over the old CUE system. It was fast, intuitive, and easy to operate, with cloud-based voice commands and a built-in app store. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a suite of driver assists. Optional features included 360-degree cameras, night vision, and LED matrix headlights. However, the XT6 lacked semi-automated driving features and had a mediocre Bose stereo and small infotainment screen.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it was a true touchscreen with large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, making it simpler to use than modern Lexus systems. The GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera were also available.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top scores. It offered advanced safety features like rear pedestrian detection, a digital rear-view mirror, and 360-degree cameras. The Driver Assist Package included forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and seat-belt tightening.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera were also available. The GX's great visibility, with massive windows and mirrors, added to its safety.