2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured 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 lightsaber-style running lamps were the XT6's flashiest elements, showcasing restraint and taste without being boring. However, the interior did not match the exterior's sophistication. Despite soft leather and gold-tinted carbon fiber trim, the seats were thin and lacked support, and the lower center stack was wrapped in cheap vinyl. The screens were small, and the overall design felt outdated compared to competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX carried over its familial design and styling attributes, featuring sharp design lines that gave it a familiar appearance similar to the smaller Lexus UX and larger Lexus RX. The NX 300 and 300 F Sport gasoline models offered a sporty look with a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and 18-inch F Sport wheels. The interior boasted quilted NuLuxe sport seats, with options for Circuit Red, Black, and Arctic White/Black color schemes. Material fit and finish were excellent, with a gauge cluster featuring a sculpted metal-faced four-dial setup. However, the center stack design looked outdated, and the G-Force meter felt more like a gimmick than a useful feature.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 was powered by 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 was not as responsive as newer turbocharged V6 engines. The 9-speed automatic transmission provided quick shifts and well-spaced ratios. Front-wheel drive was standard, but all-wheel drive and adaptive dampers made the XT6 feel balanced and controlled. 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 mpg highway.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport were powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission was adequate but not as smooth as newer multi-speed transmissions. The NX accelerated from zero to 60 mph in around seven seconds, with some engine noise under hard acceleration. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The NX achieved an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for FWD models, with AWD models getting slightly lower combined ratings. The adaptive suspension system provided a smooth and comfortable ride, though the steering lacked feedback.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 offered a spacious interior with a livable third-row seat, decent knee room, and USB ports, cupholders, and air vents. The second-row captain’s chairs or bench seat 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. Total cargo volume measured 12.6 cubic feet with all seats raised, 43.1 cubic feet with the third row down, and 78.7 cubic feet with both rows down. Visibility was good, and the digital mirror helped shrink blind spots. The infotainment system was intuitive, and the touch-sensitive controls responded well.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an upscale interior with comfortable front seats and adequate legroom in the second row. Heated and ventilated seats were available, and the rear seat offered a 60/40 split-folding design. The NX had 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 54.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down, making it one of the smallest in its class. A power liftgate with kick sensor technology and power-folding rear seats were available. Road and wind noise were minimal, maintaining the typical Lexus quiet cabin experience.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6's infotainment system was a significant improvement over the old CUE system, offering a fast, intuitive interface 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 relatively small infotainment screen.

The 2021 Lexus NX featured an 8-inch touchscreen standard, with a 10.3-inch screen available in the Navigation package. The infotainment system included HomeLink, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Lexus Enform Remote mobile app allowed users to control various functions remotely. Standard features included keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot. The Lexus Premium Audio system was standard, with an optional Mark Levinson 14-speaker audio system available.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review, but it was expected to receive top scores. Safety features included rear pedestrian detection, a digital rear-view mirror, 360-degree cameras, forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and seat-belt tightening.

The 2021 Lexus NX came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The NX received top "Good" scores from IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Lexus Enform Safety Connect provided additional safety features, and the NX came with a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.