2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander had a design that was functional but not particularly exciting. Its exterior featured trapezoidal shapes and exaggerated creases, with a slanted tailgate glass and slimmer headlights. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum boasted projector-beam LED headlights, fog lights, and new 20-inch wheels. The interior was where the Highlander shined, with quality fit and finish, silver-painted accents, and a multi-layered dash. The Limited trim offered a three-tone interior with padded surfaces and rich textures, making it one of the nicest interiors in its class.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6, on the other hand, exuded sophistication. Its design was in line with other Cadillac crossovers, featuring a traditionally-styled grille with darkened accents on the Sport trim. The XT6 Sport rode on 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and had slim all-LED headlights. The interior was similar to the XT5 but larger, with three color options and premium seats. The Platinum Package elevated the cabin with semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microsuede headliner. However, some elements like the dashboard stitching and buttons felt less premium.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both FWD and AWD. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for kickdowns. The Highlander's steering was loose, and its suspension was soft, leading to a floaty ride. However, it offered a calm and isolating driving experience, especially on long road trips. Fuel economy was impressive, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The base XT6 Luxury model came with a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, yielding 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The XT6 struggled with driving dynamics, feeling heavy and less dynamic compared to its competitors. Fuel economy for the V6 engine was 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with FWD, slightly lower with AWD. The XT6 also offered a Smart Towing package on midgrade and higher trims.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander could seat eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs. The second-row seats were versatile, offering generous legroom and easy access to the third row. The Highlander featured three-zone climate control, a 120-volt outlet, and a large panoramic moonroof on the Platinum trim. Cargo space was ample, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The interior had eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash for additional storage.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven, with an option to upgrade to second-row captain's chairs. Adults could fit in the third row, but the XT6 had less room compared to its competitors. The interior storage was not ideal, especially for front-row riders. The wireless phone charger was a deep-pocket type, making it less accessible. The XT6 excelled in cargo space, with a standard power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats. The cargo load floor was high, but typical for the class, and there was limited space behind the third row.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured an outdated infotainment system with low-resolution screens and a convoluted process for using onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen was optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, but it couldn't fully utilize its size. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, a 10-inch head-up display, and a 7-inch instrument cluster display. The optional JBL audio system had 11 speakers. Safety Connect offered a one-year trial, and trims with factory navigation included three years of traffic data.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and six USB ports. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. The infotainment screen was smaller than competitors and could appear crowded or lacking information depending on the use case.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander had a driver's knee airbag and a special cushion airbag for the front passenger. The IIHS awarded it a 2020 Top Safety Pick, but the NHTSA had not yet rated it.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 featured 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 Driver Assist Package included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover crash test rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS named the 2020 XT6 a "Top Safety Pick+."