2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator, positioned between the larger Navigator and the compact MKC and its successor, the Corsair, showcased Lincoln's return to real vehicle names—a positive shift from their previous alphanumeric system. The Aviator shared a cohesive design language with its Lincoln siblings, featuring attractive headlights and a distinctive chrome grille. Its tapered roofline and low, wide beltline provided an elegant, boat-like aesthetic.

Inside, the Aviator impressed with a flowing design, soft-touch materials, and selective use of brightwork. The luxurious seats, likened to the Golden Age of luxury, combined elegance and sturdiness. The shifter buttons resembled piano keys, adding to the sophisticated ambiance without overwhelming the design. This focus on subtle luxury contrasted sharply with Lincoln’s approach in the 2010s.

Comfort was paramount, with plush leather covering nearly every surface, contributing to a deeply luxurious feel. The massive panoramic moonroof and uniquely composed warning jingles by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra illustrated Lincoln’s commitment to a holistic luxury experience.

The Aviator offered five trims: Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring. Even the base Standard trim was well-equipped, featuring three-zone climate control, parking sensors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and the Sync 3 infotainment system with connectivity options like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Reserve trim added second-row captain's chairs, power front seats, upgraded leather, a hands-free power liftgate, premium sound, multi-zone climate control, a surround-view camera, and navigation.

We tested the Grand Touring model, which combined features from the Standard and Reserve trims with options like 30-way massaging seats and a 28-speaker Revel 3D sound system. The Black Label trims added further luxury with unique upholstery and nearly all available features, while the Black Label Grand Touring included a standout plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

Conversely, the 2020 Cadillac XT6 embraced clean and crisp exterior designs synonymous with Cadillac’s modern aesthetics. Despite its long and boxy shape, it appeared streamlined, thanks to smooth body panels and limited creases. The XT6 showcased restraint and taste with satin-painted silver around the windows and a mid-sized silver mesh grille. The vertical lightsaber-style running lamps added a unique touch without excessive chrome.

Inside, however, Cadillac didn’t fully capitalize on the potential for opulence seen in Lincoln or its German rivals. A fully-loaded Premium Luxury trim featured soft leather, microsuede accents, and gold-tinted carbon fiber trim, yet lacked the lavish details of competitors. The seats were thin and not particularly supportive, with a notable absence of contrast piping, unique patterns, and larger screens. Despite some premium materials, the overall impression fell short of a true luxury experience.

The controls in the XT6 were simpler compared to Lincoln’s occasionally over-complex systems. However, the lack of more advanced technological features left the XT6 at a disadvantage, especially in this competitive segment.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came standard with a robust twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, derived from engines used in other Ford vehicles like the Explorer and Expedition. This powertrain delivered solid performance, capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in about 4 seconds.

The Grand Touring trim enhanced this setup with a plug-in hybrid system, combining the 3.0-liter V6 with a 100-hp electric motor, resulting in a total output of 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. Both powertrains utilized a 10-speed automatic transmission, with the base V6 available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), while the hybrid came standard with AWD. The hybrid system provided smooth, confident acceleration, especially at low speeds, thanks to its electric-assist functions.

Lincoln’s driving experience focused on comfort, featuring light steering and cushioned brakes for a refined feel reminiscent of higher-end luxury SUVs. The "Excite" drive mode offered some dynamic edge, but physics limited the handling of this 5,600-pound vehicle.

Fuel economy for the non-hybrid Aviator ranged between 17-18 mpg in the city and 24-26 mpg on the highway, depending on the drivetrain. The plug-in hybrid recorded a combined 23 mpg, with a 21-mile electric-only range and a 56 MPGe rating.

In comparison, the 2020 Cadillac XT6 was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided adequate power to move the XT6 and tow up to 4,000 pounds, but it was less responsive and noisier than newer turbocharged V6 engines.

The XT6’s handling was notable for its balance and control, particularly with the AWD and adaptive dampers. The steering was direct and well-weighted, with the Sport mode offering a more secure feel. Cadillac's sportier XT6 Sport trim included enhancements like a torque-vectoring rear differential, firmer dampers, quicker steering, and larger tires.

Fuel economy for the AWD XT6 mirrored the Aviator's conventional model, with 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Front-wheel-drive models had slightly better ratings, achieving one additional mpg in the city and highway cycles.

Both the Lincoln Aviator and Cadillac XT6 offered three-row seating configurations, making them competitors in the large luxury SUV segment. Dropping the second and third rows in the Aviator provided up to 77 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the XT6’s 12.6 cubic feet with all seats up, 43.1 cubic feet with the third row down, and 78.7 cubic feet with both rows folded flat.

The Aviator’s optional second-row captain’s chairs were notably comfortable, while its power-closing third row was suitable for shorter trips with adults or children. However, Lincoln’s use of unconventional seat and door controls added complexity.

The XT6’s third-row seating was more accommodating than many competitors, with decent knee room, built-in USB ports, cupholders, and air vents. Headroom was generous in all seating positions, aided by the panoramic moonroof. The second row offered plenty of space and standard features like heated seats and tri-zone climate control.

The XT6’s user-friendly controls included a straightforward instrument cluster and improved touchscreen infotainment system. Cadillac had removed most finicky touch-sensitive controls, resulting in a simplified, intuitive interface.

Lincoln’s Aviator came with the Sync 3 infotainment system displayed on a 10.1-inch touchscreen, which efficiently utilized a landscape layout for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing large icons and easy navigation. The fully digital instrument panel and head-up display offered a clear and informative driving experience.

In comparison, the Cadillac XT6’s infotainment system, a reskin of Chevrolet Infotainment 3, represented a significant improvement over Cadillac’s previous CUE system. Though not as advanced as BMW’s interface, it was fast, intuitive, and user-friendly, featuring cloud-based voice commands, an app store, and migratable driver profiles across GM vehicles. However, the XT6 lacked advanced features like semi-automated driving and Super Cruise, available in other Cadillac models.

Both vehicles offered comprehensive connectivity options and standard driver assists, including forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Cadillac’s optional 360-degree cameras and night vision were notable features, but the lack of certain tech features was a drawback in this segment.

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator came with a full array of standard safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Lincoln Co-Pilot360 added forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Cadillac XT6 also boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, although it hadn’t been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time. The Enhanced Visibility and Technology Package offered rear pedestrian detection, a digital rear-view mirror, and 360-degree cameras. The Driver Assist Package included higher-speed forward emergency braking, reverse emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and seat-belt tightening.