2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 exhibited a clean and crisp exterior design with a modern aesthetic characteristic of Cadillac. Its long and boxy shape was cleverly masked by tailored panels that lent a slimming effect, and with its satin-painted silver accents surrounding the windows and a medium-sized silver mesh grille, it struck a balance between sophisticated and understated. Unlike many luxury SUVs that lean into chrome and oversized details, the XT6 restrained its flash to thin LED headlights and vertical lightsaber-style running lamps and turn signals. Even the 20-inch wheels didn't appear over-the-top. The XT6's design ethos was about lasting style without being overly ostentatious.

Inside, the XT6, unfortunately, didn't match the high expectations set by its competitors. The interior manifested a mixed bag of materials, with soft leather, microsuede, and gold-tinted carbon fiber trim on select areas but faltered with thin seats that offered minimal support, certain elements wrapped in cheap vinyl, and small screens. It lacked the lavish interiors seen in Lincoln, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Land Rover vehicles. Moreover, features like contrast piping, stitching, and ambient lighting, common in other luxury segments, were missing. The interior felt somewhat dated, reminiscent of a 2013 design, unlike the first-class experiences offered by its contemporaries.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander, from a side angle, appeared slightly anonymous. It sported a more angular design compared to previous models, with features like trapezoidal shapes defining various elements such as the license plate cutout, bumpers, and headlights. Higher trims boasted projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, with beautiful LED running lamps reserved for the Limited and Platinum. The addition of 20-inch wheels on top trims and new color options like the striking "Blueprint" added appeal. Despite its somewhat bland exterior, the Highlander's strength lay within its cabin.

The Highlander’s interior exuded quality and thoughtful design. The cabin featured silver-painted accents, an 8-inch touchscreen floating above a multi-layered dash, and a meticulously crafted color palette. The three-tone interior of the Limited trim combined shades of brown, beige, and black to create a pleasing aesthetic. The inclusion of padded surfaces and rich textures, except for the middle portions of the door panels, underscored Toyota's attention to detail. Features like perforated leatherette and diamond quilting on seatbackrests in the Platinum trim contributed to a luxurious feel, rivaling only the Kia Telluride in this segment.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 came equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. While this powertrain provided adequate propulsion and a towing capacity of 4,000 pounds, it sounded coarse and lacked the responsiveness of newer turbocharged V6 engines. The 9-speed automatic transmission facilitated quick shifts and well-spaced ratios, contributing to a decent driving experience. Though FWD was standard, the AWD configuration with adaptive dampers endowed the vehicle with a balanced and controlled ride. The XT6’s steering, despite being a tad loose in Tour mode, felt more secure in Sport mode. The AWD system was complemented by a mechanical torque-vectoring rear differential, sport-tuned dampers, and a faster steering ratio in the Sport trim. Although it lacked advanced suspension features like Cadillac’s MagneRide dampers and height-adjustable air springs, the XT6 delivered satisfactory performance, averaging 20 mpg combined according to EPA ratings for AWD models.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque across both FWD and AWD configurations. Despite the absence of turbochargers, this engine ensured smooth and brisk acceleration, shared with the Lexus RX for refinement. The eight-speed automatic transmission efficiently utilized the engine's power, though it required a heavy foot for kickdowns. However, the Highlander’s steering lacked precision, and the suspension felt too soft with excessive rebound, resulting in a floaty ride reminiscent of older Buick models. Nonetheless, the vehicle’s easy-to-manage ergonomics, selectable driving modes, and torque-vectoring capabilities on higher trims contributed to a comfortable driving experience. The Highlander excelled in fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined for FWD models, and slightly lower figures for AWD configurations. The Hybrid model achieved a remarkable 36 mpg combined.

The Cadillac XT6 advertised accommodation for six or seven passengers, with the third row surprisingly habitable. The rear seats provided decent knee room and amenities like USB ports, cupholders, and air vents. While ingress and egress through the rear door openings were slightly constrained compared to the Honda Pilot, the cabin offered adequate headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. The second row was notably spacious with optional heated cushions, backrests, and 3-zone climate control. However, total cargo volume was somewhat limited: 12.6 cubic feet with all seats up, 43.1 cubic feet with the third row down, and a maximum of 78.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. Visibility was excellent, enhanced by a digital mirror using a widescreen camera, and controls were user-friendly with the latest improvements in Cadillac’s infotainment system.

The Toyota Highlander provided ample versatility in seating arrangements, accommodating eight passengers or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats offered generous legroom and easy access to the third row via simple lever mechanisms. Entry and exit were smooth thanks to wide-opening doors and optimal seat height. High-end trims featured additional comfort elements like rear window shades, a heated second row, and the Platinum-exclusive panoramic moonroof. Cargo capacity was superior to the XT6, boasting 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 84 cubic feet with both rear rows down. Additional practicality came from six tie-down hooks, eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash. The straightforward controls and quick-responding infotainment system further added to its functional appeal.

The Cadillac XT6 featured a significantly improved infotainment system, a drastic upgrade from the outdated CUE system. The new system was fast, intuitive, and user-friendly, with cloud-based voice commands, a built-in app store, and the ability to store driver profiles that could transfer settings to other GM vehicles. However, the built-in e-commerce app aimed at facilitating automatic payments and orders from select restaurants seemed mismatched with Cadillac's target audience. Standard tech features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a suite of driver assists, and an optional 360-degree camera system that could record surveillance footage. The XT6 also offered LED matrix headlights that, while deactivated due to U.S. regulations, provided an outstanding field of light. However, the lack of Super Cruise, massaging seats, and an advanced digital instrument panel left the XT6 behind competitors in terms of high-end tech features.

The Toyota Highlander, despite being a new model, lagged in terms of its infotainment system. The system felt dated, with less detailed maps, lower resolution screens and cameras, and a convoluted process for using connected phone apps. The optional 12.3-inch touchscreen and standard 8-inch screen both suffered from inefficient use of space. However, the Highlander partially redeemed itself with an impressive 10-inch head-up display, a crisp 7-inch instrument cluster display, and an effective semi-automated driving system. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa integration, adaptive cruise control, and several safety features. The optional JBL audio system, while decent, didn’t stand out compared to competitors. Additional features like SiriusXM, HD radio, WiFi, USB-A ports, and a one-year trial of Safety Connect added value, although the overall user experience needed a refresh.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 had not yet been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it was expected to receive top scores based on its feature set. Optional packages included advanced safety features like rear pedestrian detection, digital rear-view mirror, 360-degree cameras, forward and reverse emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and predictive seat-belt tightening.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, offering automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features encompassed blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. It received a 2020Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS for its top performance in crash tests, effective headlights, and robust emergency braking capabilities.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 had not yet been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, it was expected to receive top scores based on its feature set. Optional packages included advanced safety features like rear pedestrian detection, digital rear-view mirror, 360-degree cameras, forward and reverse emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and predictive seat-belt tightening.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 as standard, offering automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features encompassed blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. It received a 2020Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS for its top performance in crash tests, effective headlights, and robust emergency braking capabilities.