2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to the brand's legacy of combining luxury with rugged capability. Originating from the Series I off-roader, the Range Rover evolved into a luxury SUV with robust 4x4 underpinnings, a hallmark of the brand since its introduction in 1969. By 2020, the Range Rover offered multiple trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, available in both Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, heated front seats, tri-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, with options for heated rear seats and a 19-speaker Meridian audio system. The Autobiography trim added semi-aniline leather and massaging front seats, while the SVAutobiography boasted nearly every available feature, emphasizing its luxury status.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with styling cues shared with the XT4 and XT5. Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, the XT6 Sport featured a distinctive grille with darkened accents and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The interior, reminiscent of the XT5, offered three color options and a Platinum Package that upgraded the seats to semi-aniline leather. While the dashboard was less premium than the seats, it remained attractive. The XT6's cabin was spacious, with seating for seven and an option for second-row captain’s chairs. Despite its premium appeal, the XT6's interior storage was less accommodating, and its wireless phone charger was not user-friendly.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured a non-hybrid version of the same engine, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, with a plug-in hybrid option offering 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic, the performance variant, boasted a 5.0-liter V8 tuned to 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Range Rover's electronic air suspension and automatic load leveling provided a comfortable ride, while its Terrain Response System offered various drive modes for different conditions.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The same engine was standard in the XT6 Premium Luxury trim, while the base XT6 Luxury model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The XT6 offered standard front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive, while the Sport model was exclusively AWD. Despite its power, the XT6 Sport felt heavy, affecting its driving dynamics. The XT6's fuel economy was competitive, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine achieving 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway with AWD. The V6 engine offered similar figures, with slight variations depending on the drivetrain.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options: LWB and SWB, with standard seating for five. The optional second-row captain’s chairs reduced seating to four but enhanced comfort, especially in the LWB version. The SWB model provided 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, while the LWB model offered 77.5 cubic feet. The Range Rover's hands-free power liftgate featured a unique two-piece configuration, facilitating easy loading. The front row's center-console compartment was convenient, and both front and rear doors had decently sized cargo compartments and cupholders.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 catered to its audience with comfortable seats, available with heating in the first two rows. Seating for seven was standard, with an option for second-row captain’s chairs. Adults could fit in the third row, a feature that older midsize SUVs lacked. However, the XT6 had less room in all three rows compared to competitors. Interior storage was limited, with a deep-pocket wireless phone charger that was not user-friendly. The XT6 excelled in rear cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats and an available hands-free power liftgate. The cargo load floor was high, typical for the class, and space behind the third row was limited.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, stereo, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the lower screen controlled climate, seat settings, and Terrain Response. The system's integrated dials changed functions based on the menu, offering a unique interface. Despite a learning curve and occasional lag issues, the system was intuitive, complemented by a fully digital instrument panel and an available head-up display.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6's technology was suitable for its class, though not cutting-edge. The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system was smaller than competitors, sometimes appearing crowded. Standard features included tri-zone automatic climate control, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. The infotainment system was functional, though not as advanced as some rivals.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features such as low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. While the Range Rover offered a solid list of safety features, some competitors provided more standard equipment.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Premium Luxury and Sport models added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The XT6's lane-keep assist system struggled with accuracy, but buyers could upgrade to the Driver Assist Package for additional features. The XT6 received high safety ratings, with a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS.