2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Lexus RX

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 showcased a clean and crisp exterior design, hiding its long, boxy shape under smooth body panels and limited creases. It featured satin-painted silver surrounding the windows and a medium-sized silver mesh grille, with thin LED headlights and vertical lightsaber-style running lamps and turn signals as its flashiest elements. The XT6's design was marked by restraint and taste, avoiding bright chrome and oversized jewelry, and even the standard 20-inch wheels didn’t look oversized. However, the interior didn’t match the exterior's elegance. Despite having soft leather, microsuede, and gold-tinted carbon fiber trim, the seats were thin and lacked support, and the lower part of the center stack and center console were wrapped in cheap vinyl. The screens were small, ambient lighting was nonadjustable, and the color combos and trim patterns were ordinary, making the interior feel outdated compared to competitors.

The 2020 Lexus RX received a refresh with significant upgrades inside and out. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlights. The grille was redesigned to resemble Lexus cars, and new paint colors were introduced. The rear design was updated with dual exhaust, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, along with an available hands-free tailgate. Inside, the RX offered a variety of interior colors and materials, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim. The F Sport appearance package added unique elements like a special steering wheel, shift knob, aluminum pedals, and 20-inch wheels. The leather-wrapped surfaces felt premium, and the cabin appeared hardy enough for family life. However, the center stack's design was dated, and the cargo area was smaller than competitors.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. While the engine was sufficient for moving the vehicle and towing up to 4,000 pounds, it was coarse-sounding and less responsive than newer turbocharged V6 engines. The XT6 offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive and adaptive dampers available. The steering was direct and nicely weighted, with a more secure feel in Sport mode. The XT6 achieved an EPA combined rating of 20 mpg, with AWD models rated at 17 mpg city and 24 highway, and FWD models managing just 1 mpg more. Cadillac planned a plug-in hybrid version to improve fuel efficiency and low-end torque.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX 350L models had slightly lower power outputs. A hybrid version, the RX 450h, combined the V6 with an electric motor to achieve 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450hL had a similar setup but with lower power outputs. The RX achieved 23 mpg combined for the RX 350, 22 mpg for the RX 350L and RX 350 AWD, and 21 mpg for the RX 350L AWD. The RX 450h AWD achieved 30 mpg combined, and the RX 450hL achieved 29 mpg combined. The RX F Sport models offered adaptive variable suspension and various drive modes, including Sport S+ for a firmer suspension setting. The RX provided a smooth and connected driving experience, with good insulation and strong braking.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 offered a livable third-row seat with decent knee room, USB ports, cupholders, and air vents. The second-row captain’s chairs or bench seat could be mechanically dropped down, and the third row power-folded. Headroom was good in all seating positions, and the standard panoramic moonroof extended into the second row. The XT6 had a total cargo volume of 12.6 cubic feet with all seats raised, 43.1 with the third row down, and 78.7 with both the second and third rows down. Visibility was good, and the digital mirror with a widescreen camera helped reduce blind spots. The infotainment system was improved, with an intuitive interface and cloud-based voice commands.

The 2020 Lexus RX interior was comfortable for four adults in the two-row model, but the third row in the RX-L was best for small children or pets. The cabin was wide and tall, with comfortable front seats and decent outward visibility. The cargo area was smaller than competitors, with a high load floor compromising space. The RX 350 and 450h had split-folding rear seats, and the RX 350L and 450hL had less cargo space than rivals. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350 and 450h models and standard on RX-L versions.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured an improved infotainment system with a fast, intuitive interface, 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 relatively small infotainment screen.

The 2020 Lexus RX had an improved infotainment system with a standard 8.0-inch display and an available 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system was still difficult to navigate, but Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and other integrations helped mitigate issues. The RX had six USB ports and a standard 12-speaker audio system, with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system available. A CD player was also standard.

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

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX received good safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.