2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 showcased a clean, crisp exterior design that hid its long, boxy shape under a tailored suit. Smooth body panels and limited creases gave it a slimming effect, while satin-painted silver accents and a medium-sized silver mesh grille added a touch of elegance. Thin LED headlights and vertical running lamps were the XT6's flashiest features, contributing to its restrained yet tasteful style. Inside, however, the XT6 fell short compared to its competitors. Despite having soft leather and gold-tinted carbon fiber trim, the seats lacked support and looked plain. The lower part of the center stack and the entire center console were wrapped in cheap vinyl, and the screens were small with nonadjustable ambient lighting. Overall, the interior felt outdated and lacked the first-class materials and eye-catching colors found in other luxury SUVs.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its decade-old body shell with a few updates over the years, including the trademark spindle grille and new triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn't see any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level. The GX's tough, aggressive look was distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. While leather upholstery was standard, the overall interior design felt dated. The upright dashboard and high center console left little legroom, and the steering wheel's odd angle made the driving position feel like a bus. Despite these drawbacks, the GX offered excellent outward visibility and easy-to-use analog controls for climate and seat heaters.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. While it was enough to move the vehicle and tow up to 4,000 pounds, the engine sounded coarse and wasn't as responsive as newer turbocharged V6 engines. The 9-speed automatic transmission provided quick shifts and well-spaced ratios, making the XT6 peppy enough. Front-wheel drive was standard, but all-wheel drive and adaptive dampers made the XT6 feel balanced and controlled over various surfaces. 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. Cadillac planned a plug-in hybrid version to improve these figures and low-end torque.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 kept it simple with a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The V8 provided plenty of grunt when moving away from a stop, but the GX's 5,130 pounds made higher-speed maneuvers challenging. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. The GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and multi-view camera system. The GX had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and respectable off-road metrics, but its on-road performance felt outdated compared to modern SUVs.

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 down and up, while the second-row captain’s chairs or bench mechanically dropped down. Headroom was good in all seating positions, and the second row was spacious with optional heated cushions and backrests. Total cargo volume measured 12.6 cubic feet with all seats raised, 43.1 with the third row down, and 78.7 with both rows down. Visibility was good, and the digital mirror with a widescreen camera helped shrink blind spots. The XT6's controls were responsive, and the improved touchscreen infotainment system made it simple to operate at speed.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics felt outdated, with an upright dashboard and high center console leaving little legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position made it feel like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The center-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, but the third row was best reserved for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded. The GX was best thought of as a two-row SUV with occasional third-row use.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured a fast, intuitive infotainment system 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 like forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras, night vision, and LED matrix headlights. However, the XT6 lacked semi-automated driving features and Super Cruise. The Bose stereo and relatively small infotainment screen didn't fill the space as they should.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not available. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. However, Lexus included analog controls for nearly everything, making it easy to use. The GX's tech offerings felt primitive for a luxury SUV, but the analog controls were a refreshing change from screen-centric interfaces.

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

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.