2020 Kia Telluride vs 2020 Cadillac XT6

The 2020 Kia Telluride had a transformative design that aimed to erase Kia's past reputation for cheap adequacy. It appeared more expensive than it was, though the Kia badge somewhat detracted from its upscale look. The Telluride's design was a blend of boxy presence and fluid curves, reminiscent of a big Chevy and a new Volvo. Its clean, minimal design featured upright, rectilinear themes, wide-spaced vertical headlights, and a silver mesh grille. Special details like amber LED running lights and large "TELLURIDE" badges added to its appeal. Inside, the Telluride's interior mimicked a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class with twin grab handles, wide air vents, and an ultra-wide touchscreen. While some materials were not entirely real, the fit, quality, and colors were tasteful and classy. The SX-trim with the Prestige Package added Nappa leather seats and a soft headliner, making it feel like a $60,000 to $70,000 vehicle, though it cost $46,930 fully loaded.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured a clean, crisp exterior design that hid its long, boxy shape under smooth body panels and limited creases. It showcased restraint and taste with satin-painted silver surrounding the windows and a medium-sized silver mesh grille. Thin LED headlights and vertical lightsaber-style running lamps were its flashiest elements. The XT6's interior, however, did not match the lavish offerings from competitors like Lincoln, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. While it had soft leather, microsuede, and gold-tinted carbon fiber trim, the seats were thin and lacked support. The lower part of the center stack and console were wrapped in cheap vinyl, and the screens were small. The interior looked dated compared to competitors, lacking contrast piping, stitching, and interesting patterns. Despite these shortcomings, the XT6's interior was functional and simple to operate.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered both FWD and AWD options, with AWD available for an additional $2,000. The transmission's response was sometimes delayed and inconsistent, and the shifting felt rougher compared to competitors. However, the power was sufficient to move the Telluride quickly, and the braking was strong with a firm pedal feel. The steering was slow, and there was noticeable body lean, but the ride was smooth and quiet thanks to double-paned glass and acoustic insulation. The Telluride had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with the $795 Towing package and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined for AWD models.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It offered FWD as standard and AWD as an option. The engine was coarse-sounding and not as responsive as newer turbocharged V6 engines, but the transmission's quick shifts and well-spaced ratios made it peppy enough. The XT6 felt balanced and controlled with AWD and adaptive dampers, and the steering was direct and nicely weighted. The Sport trim added beefier hardware like a mechanical torque-vectoring rear differential and sport-tuned dampers. The XT6 had a towing capacity of 4,000 pounds and an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined for AWD models.

The 2020 Kia Telluride could seat seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim. The base LX and third-tier EX seated eight, while the second-tier S offered eight as an option. The top SX seated seven with reclining captain's chairs in the second row, which could be heated and cooled. The Telluride's cabin was spacious, with generous legroom in the second row and a tolerable third row for adults. Cargo capacity was 21 cubic feet with all seats raised and 87 cubic feet with them all flat. The interior featured analog gauges, buttons, knobs, and a regular PRNDL shifter, complemented by two displays. The EX and SX models had a 10.3-inch screen, and the SX had a larger 7-inch screen for the instrument panel.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 offered space for six or seven people, with a livable third row that had decent knee room, USB ports, cupholders, and air vents. The third row power-folded down and up, and the second-row captain's chairs or bench mechanically dropped down from an electric latch. Headroom was good in all seating positions, and the second row was very spacious with optional heated cushions and backrests. Total cargo volume was 12.6 cubic feet with all seats raised, 43.1 with the third row down, and 78.7 with both the second and third rows down. The XT6 featured a digital mirror with a widescreen camera, an improved touchscreen infotainment system, and an alternative rotary controller with shortcut buttons.

The 2020 Kia Telluride came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia's UVO link, which allowed remote car location and unlocking via an app. Upper trims with navigation had fast and accurate voice inputs and live traffic and weather updates. The SX trim featured a live feed of blind spots on the instrument cluster, Highway Driving Assist, a quiet mode, and an intercom for the third row. The SX also had bright LED headlights, dual moonroofs, and a Harman Kardon surround stereo. However, the Telluride lacked onboard WiFi and a rear-seat entertainment option.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 featured an infotainment system that was a reskin of the Chevrolet Infotainment 3, with cloud-based voice commands and a built-in app store. It allowed driver profiles to migrate to other GM vehicles and included an e-commerce app for ordering from chain restaurants. 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 Bose stereo and infotainment screen were also relatively small.

The 2020 Kia Telluride had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing, but it was expected to receive top scores. It came standard with active driver assists, including forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, and adaptive cruise control. Safe Exit Assist and a driver's knee airbag were also standard, while surround-view cameras and front parking sensors were optional.

The 2020 Cadillac XT6 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS either, but it was also 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.