2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 showcased a remarkable design language with its clean and crisp exterior. Cadillac's designers managed to mask its long, boxy shape with tailored smooth body panels and minimal creases, creating a slimming effect. Unlike many luxury SUVs that resort to bright chrome and oversized jewelry, the XT6 employed satin-painted silver around the windows and a medium-sized silver mesh grille. This restrained use of embellishments allowed the XT6 to maintain a tasteful yet lasting style, with thin LED headlights and lightsaber-style running lamps adding a touch of flair. The standard 20-inch wheels on the XT6 didn't feel oversized, contributing to its balanced appearance.

In contrast, the interior failed to match the lavish standards set by competitors like Lincoln, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Land Rover. Despite the presence of incredibly soft leather, microsuede on the roof, and gold-tinted carbon fiber trim in the loaded Premium Luxury trim, the seats were disappointingly thin and lacked support. The lower part of the center stack and center console were wrapped in a cheap vinyl, detracting from the overall luxury feel. Additionally, the small screens, nonadjustable ambient lighting, and uninspiring color combos further emphasized the XT6's interior shortcomings.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 succeeded in reshaping Volvo’s conservative image with its debut as a 2016 model. The XC90 maintained traditional Volvo features such as a boxy profile and blunt front end with a rectangular grille but enhanced them with softer lines and more chrome, replacing the unpainted plastic of older models. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights provided distinctive and harmonized elements. The Inscription trim added extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, making it the flashiest of the XC90 variants.

Inside, the XC90 embodied "Swedish minimalism," offering well-arranged, nice-looking materials without overwhelming the occupants. The matte-finish wood trim had a more natural look compared to the heavily lacquered trims in many luxury competitors, and the wool upholstery option was a unique touch. The Orrefors crystal shifter added a high-end feel, despite seeming slightly out of place with the otherwise restrained interior.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. This setup was sufficient for moving the large vehicle and towing up to 4,000 pounds. However, the engine's coarse sound and lack of responsiveness compared to many newer turbocharged V6 engines were noticeable drawbacks. The 9-speed automatic transmission provided quick shifts and well-spaced ratios, ensuring a peppy enough performance.

Optional all-wheel drive (AWD) along with adaptive dampers gave the XT6 a balanced and controlled ride across diverse surfaces. The steering was direct and pleasantly weighted, though it felt a bit loose in the default Tour mode. Switching to Sport mode tightened the steering feel. The XT6 excelled in suspension and steering tuning, which was especially notable for a sizable crossover.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured three distinct powertrains, each centered on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 variant was turbocharged, producing 250 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The T6 variant, both turbocharged and supercharged, offered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, rebranded as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors to deliver a combined output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque.

Despite the impressive numbers, the small engine struggled to match the flexibility of the six-cylinder and V8 engines found in competitors. The T8 particularly had difficulty accelerating away from stops on electric power alone, often requiring the gasoline engine to kick in. The XC90's efficiency and performance balances were achieved through three drive modes: Pure (all-electric), Hybrid, and Power. However, Pure mode was only practical at low speeds with gentle acceleration.

The XC90 excelled in ride quality, even with optional 21-inch wheels, thanks to its air-suspension system. Despite not being tuned for sporty handling, the suspension kept body roll in check. The cabin maintained a quiet environment, enhancing the luxury feel. The XC90 also offered a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for most trims.

Cadillac's 2020 XT6 excelled in interior space utilization. The third-row seats were designed to be comfortable for adults, offering decent knee room and not too low cushions. The second-row captain's chairs or bench, combined with features like USB ports, cupholders, and air vents, added to the backseat's livability. The power-folding third row and mechanically folding second row allowed for flexible cargo configurations.

Cargo volume was notably generous, measuring 12.6 cubic feet with all seats up, 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 78.7 cubic feet with both rows down. Visibility was further enhanced by the trick digital mirror that used a widescreen camera, reducing blind spots. The improved touchscreen infotainment system and straightforward controls added to the ease of use.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 was available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations, depending on whether second-row captain's chairs or a bench seat were chosen. Headroom and legroom were average for the segment, meaning tight third-row space for adults and somewhat hard, unsupportive seats in both the third and second rows. Despite these caveats, the power moonroof extending across the first two rows gave the interior a spacious feel.

Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model stood at 11.2 cubic feet with all seats placed upright, expanding to 34.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded down. These figures put the XC90 near the bottom of the segment in terms of cargo space. However, the hands-free power tailgate added a touch of convenience.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured an infotainment system that marked a significant improvement over the previous CUE system. Despite BMW's superior interface, Cadillac's system was fast, intuitive, and easy to operate, including cloud-based voice commands and a built-in app store. The driver profile feature allowed settings to be transferred to any compatible General Motors vehicle, presenting a flexible and useful advantage.

Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, combined with various driver assists like forward emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, added to the technology suite. The optional 360-degree cameras provided enhanced visibility, even recording surveillance footage while the vehicle was parked. However, the absence of semi-automated driving features and Super Cruise limited the XT6’s tech appeal. Additional features like night vision and LED matrix headlights, though impressive, didn't compensate fully for the lack of some high-end tech options expected in this segment.

Volvo's Sensus infotainment system in the 2021 XC90 epitomized effective minimalism. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was lauded for its ease of use, operating much like a tablet, although the readability of some text while driving posed a minor issue.

Additional offerings, like the 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display, provided high-quality options for tech-savvy consumers. However, the wireless charging pad's size limitation and the lack of front USB-C ports indicated room for improvement in accommodating newer tech.