2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Volvo XC40

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, avoiding bright chrome and oversized jewelry, and even the standard 20-inch wheels appeared proportionate. However, the interior did not match the exterior's sophistication. 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 The screens were small, and the overall interior design seemed outdated compared to competitors.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well with the rest of the Volvo lineup. It featured “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge distinguished itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle badging, model-specific alloy wheels, and a gloss black roof and mirror caps. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim on the dashboard and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly. Unlike many competitors, Volvo did not compromise on interior design to meet a price point.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, capable of towing up to 4,000 pounds. While the engine was adequate, it was coarse-sounding and less responsive off the line compared to 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 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 fuel efficiency and low-end torque.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge featured a dual-motor setup with 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 provided a livable third-row seat, with decent knee room, USB ports, cupholders, and air vents. The second-row captain’s chairs or bench seat could be 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. The XT6 offered 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, aided by a digital mirror using a widescreen camera. The infotainment system was improved, with an intuitive interface and cloud-based voice commands.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The XC40 offered clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped to hold a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad. However, second-row occupants did not have phone-charging options.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured an infotainment system that was a significant improvement over the old CUE system. It included cloud-based voice commands, a built-in app store, and driver profiles that could migrate to other GM vehicles. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 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 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge used the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability, allowing for updates to any vehicle function controlled by software. It lacked a start button, with the car starting automatically when the driver shifted out of park. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was expected to be available in a future update.

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, 360-degree cameras, forward emergency braking, reverse emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and seat-belt tightening.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The XC40 Recharge had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge also had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.