2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Cadillac XT6

The 2020 Ford Explorer boasted a striking and sophisticated design that far outshined competitors like the Land Rover Discovery. The vehicle's aesthetic benefited from a refined, upscale look that removed unnecessary bulk and highlighted a more athletic stance. Features like widened headlights, an oversized grille, and the pronounced "Explorer" lettering across the hood gave it a distinct and commanding presence on the road. The ST version, in particular, turned heads with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, and quad exhaust pipes, all wrapped in a rich Rapid Red paint that exuded understated luxury and performance. However, the interior of the Explorer was less inspiring. Despite the vehicle's substantial price tag—even approaching $60,000 for a fully-loaded model—the cabin materials left much to be desired. What Ford called "leather" felt more like low-grade vinyl, and the door panels were made of rough, cheap plastic. Hard plastics dominated the air vents, center stack, and center console, contributing to a lackluster feel. Additionally, faux carbon-fiber trim did little to uplift the cabin's vibe, although the aluminum speaker covers and white stitching provided some relief. The Explorer's interior felt outclassed by rivals like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander, which offered more premium finishes at significantly lower prices. The 2021 Cadillac XT6 extended its brand's characteristic sophistication and premium feel effortlessly. Its exterior incorporated styling cues from the smaller XT4 and XT5 models but elevated them with darkened accents and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels unique to the Sport trim. The XT6’s sharp, sleek lines and slim all-LED headlights underscored its luxurious intent, ensuring it looked and felt every bit a Cadillac. Available in seven different paint colors—with most incurring an additional cost for their premium finishes—the XT6 offered extensive customization, including a standard sunroof that helped fill the cabin with natural light. Inside, the XT6 carried over much of the XT5’s well-regarded design, only scaled up to fit its larger dimensions. Three interior colors—Jet Black, Cirrus, and Maple Sugar—provided options to suit various tastes. When equipped with the $3,700 Platinum Package, the cabin received a significant luxury upgrade, featuring semi-aniline leather upholstery, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats that elevated the feeling of opulence. While some of its dashboard stitching and buttons seemed less refined, the overall interior was well-received, offering richness and comfort that wasn't quite matched by Ford's Explorer.

The 2020 Ford Explorer significantly upped its performance game with a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, a notable shift from its previous front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform. This transition enabled better weight distribution and sharpened driving dynamics. The ST model, especially, benefited from tuning by Ford Performance engineers, who also worked on the robust F-150 Raptor and Shelby GT350. While the ride on the large wheels wasn't luxurious, it felt controlled and responsive, even without adaptive dampers. The precise steering contributed to its nimble handling, making it a joy to drive on winding roads. Under the hood, the Explorer ST was powered by a robust 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that delivered a hearty 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This was paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which provided smooth, seamless power delivery. The Platinum trim featured the same engine dialed down slightly to 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. A more common 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four engine was available in lower trims, churning out a respectable 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking a gas-electric hybrid, the Limited trim combined a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor to achieve 318 hp. Fuel economy varied across models, with the hybrid offering 23 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The standard FWD Explorer XLT hit 20/27/23 mpg while the turbo V6 ST and Platinum versions came in at 18/24/20 mpg. When it came to towing, the Explorer showed impressive capabilities: up to 5,000 pounds with the hybrid, 5,300 pounds with the 4-cylinder, and a formidable 5,600 pounds with the V6 and AWD. The 2021 Cadillac XT6 sported a 3.6-liter V6 engine in its Sport and Premium Luxury trims, delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque via a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The base XT6 Luxury model came with a smaller 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, providing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, offering more than enough power for everyday driving scenarios. Performance-wise, the XT6 showcased a refined driving experience, though it was not without its shortcomings. The V6 engine provided adequate power, but the vehicle's weight, particularly in the AWD Sport model (4,690 pounds), resulted in less dynamic handling. The mid-rear weight distribution made tight maneuvering and quick accelerations less agile compared to rivals. Fuel economy was competitive within its segment, with AWD variants of the turbo-four engine achieving 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The V6 engines earned 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with FWD, slightly decreasing with AWD options. The Smart Towing package added useful features like hitch guidance, hitch cover, and a seven-wire harness to enhance its practicality, rounding out a spec sheet that ensured the XT6 remained a competent choice.

The 2020 Ford Explorer demonstrated remarkable versatility and comfort in its interior space. On a family road trip, the cabin offered ample room for passengers and cargo alike, with generous space for gadgets, drinks, and even a panoramic moonroof to brighten up the ride. The second row felt premium with air vents, USB ports, and an accessible center console, making long journeys feel less draining. In the third row, adults could fit comfortably for shorter trips, thanks to Ford's focus on creating a more open and airy interior. This was further aided by the second-row captain's chairs, which facilitated easier access to the third row. When it came to cargo capacity, the Explorer impressed with 18 cubic feet of storage behind the third row, 48 cubic feet with the second row folded, and a substantial 88 cubic feet with all the rear seats down. This gave it a significant edge in utility, particularly when compared to the class standards. Ergonomically, the Explorer avoided the pitfalls of overly touch-sensitive controls, opting instead for a mix of physical knobs and switches. However, thick D-pillars and subpar 360-degree cameras detracted from the overall experience by limiting rear visibility. In the 2021 Cadillac XT6, seating comfort was a mixed bag. While the first and second rows offered heated options and a comfortably supportive structure, they didn't quite match the plushness found in competitors like the Acura MDX. Seating seven was standard, though upgrading to captain's chairs in the second row came with an $800 premium. One of the XT6’s highlights was its rear cargo space, which proved larger than many of its rivals. A standard power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats made loading and unloading a breeze. However, the high cargo load floor could be challenging, especially when the third row was up, offering minimal room for storage—a common issue in its class. The XT6’s small-item storage left much to be desired, particularly for front-row occupants, where convenient places to keep personal items were limited. The standard wireless phone charger was a nice touch, but its deep-pocket design made it difficult to access the phone while charging, reducing its practicality.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came packed with modern tech, boasting an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi as standard features. Keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also included in the base package. The highlight was Ford's keyless entry keypad, allowing users to secure their belongings and still access the vehicle without a key or phone, which proved handy in various scenarios. Higher trims like the ST and Platinum models featured a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster with the Premium Technology Package. This enhanced the viewing experience and simplified handling settings like available massaging seats. While the system's interface was user-friendly and high-resolution, it lacked innovative features, relying on external WiFi for updates. Despite its attractive animations and functional semi-automated systems, the Co-Pilot360 Assist+ fell short in practical use. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were less precise than those of competitors, often causing frustration rather than easing the driving experience. The technology in the 2021 Cadillac XT6 was practical and functional but far from groundbreaking. The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while adequate, appeared cramped compared to some competitors. Standard tech features were commendable, including tri-zone automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Additional USB ports in every row ensured connectivity for all passengers. Optional tech upgrades like a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and an enhanced wireless charging capability were available for a more premium experience. Despite these enhancements, the infotainment screen continued to be the weakest link, often falling short in usability and modern appeal.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came well-equipped with Ford Co-Pilot 360, featuring essentials like forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, though this system sometimes created false alarms, adding unnecessary stress. The Explorer had yet to be fully tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had given it an Acceptable rating in the small overlap test on the driver's side. The 2021 Cadillac XT6 featured a gamut of standard safety features, reflecting General Motors' commitment to passenger safety. Every XT6 came fitted with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, and IntelliBeam headlights. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, among other features. The XT6's lane-keeping systems were less reliable than expected, often failing to read lines accurately. However, the Driver Assist Package was available, adding adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. A Visibility and Technology Package enriched the driving experience with a head-up display, rear-camera mirror, and HD surround vision. Recognized by both the NHTSA and IIHS, the XT6 received high safety ratings, including a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS for the 2020 model year, confirming its reputation as a safe and reliable choice.