2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

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 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 elegance. Despite having soft leather and gold-tinted carbon fiber trim, the seats were thin and lacked support, and the lower part of the center stack was wrapped in cheap vinyl. The screens were small, and the ambient lighting was nonadjustable, making the interior feel outdated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, exuded elegance and understatement despite its massive size. It featured simple rectilinear shapes for the grille, windows, and headlights, with a few chrome accents adding a touch of class. The Pristine White model with a white-painted grille, black wheels, and an illuminated Lincoln logo was particularly striking. Inside, the Navigator impressed with seven color palettes and finer details like layered wood trim and a floating center console. The materials were high-quality, and the panel gaps were tight. The Perfect Position seats offered 30 different adjustments, making them incredibly comfortable. Overall, the Navigator's interior felt modern and luxurious, with a focus on refinement and power.

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. 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 switch to Sport mode providing a more secure feel. 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.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine from the Ford Raptor, delivering an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator felt sprightly and responsive. It offered rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with the latter providing a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds (8,700 pounds for RWD models). The Navigator's fuel economy was in the teens, matching the EPA-estimated 17-mpg combined rating. While the adaptive dampers were standard, the suspension felt rudimentary compared to competitors. The steering and brakes were looser, but the Navigator's low-end thrust and quiet cabin made it a refined and powerful highway cruiser.

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 mechanically dropped down from an electric latch. Headroom was good in all seating positions, and the standard panoramic moonroof extended into the second row. The XT6 provided 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space 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 reduce blind spots. The infotainment system was intuitive, with cloud-based voice commands and a built-in app store, but it lacked some advanced features like Super Cruise and massaging seats.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had ample space for six adults, with a possible total of eight passengers if the second-row bench was chosen. The boxy shape provided 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57 cubic feet behind the second, and 103 cubic feet in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The rear glass opened separately from the tailgate, and the second-row seats could be removed for maximum storage. The front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with separate thigh extensions, bolsters, and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking was challenging due to the vehicle's size.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured an infotainment system that was a significant improvement over the old CUE system. It offered cloud-based voice commands, a built-in app store, and driver profiles that could migrate to other GM vehicles. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a suite of driver assists. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and night vision. However, the XT6 lacked semi-automated driving features, massaging seats, and a reconfigurable digital instrument panel. The Bose stereo and infotainment screen were also relatively small.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator had a 10-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to newer systems. The instrument panel couldn't show full-screen maps, and the cameras were low-resolution. However, the software was intuitive, with fast voice recognition and a unique Lincoln skin. The Navigator offered onboard 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, a smartwatch app, and the ability to use a smartphone as the vehicle's ignition key. Rear entertainment included Roku media streaming and various connections. Drive mode animations were beautiful, and the overall simplicity of the system was a relief compared to more complex competitors.

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

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with five stars in every test except for rollover resistance. The IIHS had not rated the Navigator. It offered optional inflatable rear seat belts for the second row. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional but did not offer advanced self-steering capabilities.