2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

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 exterior demonstrated restraint and taste, making a lasting style impression without being boring. However, the interior did not 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 was wrapped in cheap vinyl. The screens were small, and the overall interior design felt outdated compared to competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic that was likely to age well. It was large for its class, nearly as big inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to its long-wheelbase version. The Tiguan's interior was roomy and accommodating, with plenty of space for four people and an optional third-row seat expanding capacity to seven. The interior combined modern geometric forms with a purposeful control layout, though it had some hard plastic and flimsy steering wheel stalks. The Tiguan offered S, SE, and SEL trims, with sporty R-Line variants, and pricing ranged from $25,245 to $39,095.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. While it could tow up to 4,000 pounds, the engine was coarse-sounding and not as responsive off the line 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 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.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels by default, with 4Motion AWD as an option. The engine suffered from turbocharger lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers. The Tiguan returned 25 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, though testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg. The Tiguan provided a pleasurable driving experience with light but responsive steering, a compliant ride, and refined braking action. However, it struggled with sharper speed bumps and railroad tracks, and the tires gave up grip early in corners.

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, and the third row power-folded. Headroom was good in all seating positions, and the second row was spacious with optional heated cushions and backrests. 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. The XT6 had good visibility and a digital mirror that helped shrink blind spots. The infotainment system was improved, with an intuitive interface and cloud-based voice commands.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The back seat provided excellent support, generous legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat, allowing for long items and four passengers. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, with a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet. The Tiguan's storage space was somewhat limited, but it had a large panoramic sunroof and a useful cargo area.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured an infotainment system that was a significant improvement over the old CUE system. It had 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, night vision, and LED matrix headlights. However, the XT6 lacked semi-automated driving features, Super Cruise, massaging seats, and a reconfigurable digital instrument panel. The Bose stereo and infotainment screen were also underwhelming.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan introduced the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, faster processing, and expanded features. Highlights included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The MIB3 system had some quirks, and the voice recognition technology was lacking. The standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music, while the SEL Premium R-Line's nine-speaker Fender audio system was a better option. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line also featured Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation.

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, emergency braking in reverse, adaptive cruise control, and seat-belt tightening.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with the IQ Drive collection of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SE trim added adaptive cruise control, while the SEL included lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan's adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were effective but had some inconsistencies. The reversing camera provided a clear view, and the SEL Premium R-Line offered a top-down surround-view. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.