2021 Cadillac Escalade vs 2022 Cadillac XT6

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade had certainly mirrored Cadillac's earlier design innovations, most notably the 2016 Escala concept car. The Escala’s influence was particularly evident in the front fascia of the redesigned 2021 Escalade, featuring sleek and crisp design elements. However, its overall styling remained traditional yet attractive. For the first time in its history, the Escalade rode on standard 22-inch wheels, lending it a more commanding presence. The vehicle's exterior was characterized by sharp lines along its sides and towering OLED taillights at the rear that seamlessly stretched into the vehicle's roofline. Pricing started at $76,195 for a basic model featuring leatherette upholstery and rear-wheel drive. Options scaled up to the Premium Luxury trim at $82,995 and the Sport trim at $85,995, with the higher-end variations offering extensive customization. The Platinum trim upgrade amplified the luxury quotient, pushing the price to $99,995 and beyond. Our test model, a Premium Luxury trim with FWD and numerous add-ons including a top-notch sound system and entertainment suite, clocked in at $102,310. Despite this hefty price, the Escalade’s luxurious and well-built interior made it a cut above its Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon Denali counterparts. While the lower trims maintained a reasonable interior quality, the Platinum versions offered semi-aniline leather, unique perforations, and even a simulated suede headliner, with a myriad of wood trim options enhancing its premium appeal. Conversely, the 2022 Cadillac XT6 emanated a different aura. Outfitted with 20-inch alloy wheels and adorned in Stellar Black paint, the XT6 portrayed a more subdued sophistication. It looked like a vehicle befitting an executive, though with a typical conservative American luxury SUV appeal. The front running lights gave it a tall and narrow front profile, while the rear taillights were reminiscent of the GMC design language. Starting at around $50,000, the XT6 occupied a middle ground among its contemporaries like the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60 (cheaper) and the Lexus RX L and Lincoln Aviator (more expensive). Our well-equipped test model came in at $73,565. While the XT6 boasted an impressive array of features, its interior fell short of feeling like a luxury vehicle, with legacy analog gauges and less advanced infotainment options than the Escalade, making it appear more aligned with the GMC Acadia than the upper echelon of Cadillac’s lineup.

Performance-wise, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade offered two distinct engine choices: a powerful 6.2-liter V8 and a more fuel-efficient 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six. The V8 churned out a robust 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, seamlessly delivered through a 10-speed automatic transmission. With an added Performance Upgrade Package, including a performance air intake kit and cat-back exhaust, the V8 could produce an exhilarating soundtrack to match its muscle. This setup enabled the Escalade to cruise comfortably and accelerate robustly, averaging about 15.9 mpg during our testing. Meanwhile, the optional 3.0-liter turbo-diesel, producing 277 horsepower and equivalent torque to the V8 but accessible at lower RPMs, promised better fuel efficiency. In applications like the Chevy Silverado, this engine achieved up to 27 mpg in combined driving conditions, suggesting impressive potential for the Escalade. The new Escalade also featured a revamped independent rear suspension that enhanced ride comfort and handling. Paired with the next-generation Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) dampers and a 4-Corner Air Ride air suspension, the Escalade demonstrated controlled and smooth driving, capable of tackling both city potholes and winding mountain roads with ease. The 2022 Cadillac XT6, in contrast, shared its powertrains with the GMC Acadia. The base model came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine offering 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. For higher trims, a 3.6-liter V6 was available, producing 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. This was underwhelming compared to the turbocharged competitors in its class but sufficient for daily driving and moderate hauling. Available in FWD or AWD configurations, our AWD test model managed an average of 19.5 mpg during mixed driving. The XT6 aimed for a balanced ride with its adaptive-damping suspension and 20-inch wheels, managing residential bumps and speed humps effectively. However, it leaned toward a serene rather than spirited driving experience.

Inside the Escalade, the redesigned interior space was a game-changer. Thanks to the independent rear suspension, the floor was lower, which, coupled with the longer wheelbase, resulted in a roomier cabin across all three rows. First-row comfort was bolstered by standard heated seats and available 16-way power adjustments in higher trims. The heated second-row captain’s chairs or optional bench seats could slide to adjust legroom, enhancing comfort significantly. The third-row seats, previously cramped, now offered adequate space for adults, thanks to the lowered floor and extended wheelbase. The standard-length Escalade provided 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 63 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 109.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. The extended-length Escalade ESV further expanded these figures to 42.9, 81.5, and 126.6 cubic feet, respectively. The XT6, smaller in stature, fell short in terms of space. Its interior, while luxurious in terms of materials, felt cramped compared to competitors. Front-row seats were comfortable with heating and ventilation but lacked the extensive range of adjustments or massage options found in rivals. The second-row seats, in their rearward position, offered decent room, but the third-row was barely manageable for adults and required acrobatics to access. Cargo space was also limited compared to the Escalade. The XT6 provided 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 43.1 cubic feet with it folded. The maximum cargo volume with all seats down was 78.7 cubic feet, which, while functional, underscored the vehicle’s smaller dimensions and lesser flexibility.

Technology-wise, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade was a marvel. Its dashboard featured 38 inches of OLED screens, offering superior pixel density and color vibrancy, better than most 4K TVs. Though initially daunting, the interface was user-friendly for those accustomed to modern smartphones. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a robust 19-speaker AKG sound system, and advanced voice recognition features encapsulated the Escalade's tech prowess. Navigation with augmented reality displayed directional arrows directly on-screen, adding to its futuristic appeal. Our test model boasted an optional 36-speaker AKG Reference system with unique sound clarity and passenger-specific volume controls. Meanwhile, the 2022 XT6, though rich in features like Night Vision and the advanced Super Cruise system, lagged behind in certain areas. It featured analog gauges separated by a driver information display which felt less advanced. Its 8-inch infotainment screen, though excellent in software capability, felt small compared to competitors. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the available Bose audio system provided quality sound. Practical issues included gloss-black touch-sensing controls reminiscent of older CUE systems, unintuitive seat ventilation indicators, and almost illegible button markings. Physical controls on the center console, though functional, took up valuable space.

Safety features in the 2021 Escalade were robust. Its sheer size provided a natural advantage, and it came equipped with a full suite of collision-avoidance technologies. The base model included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking at sub-50 mph speeds, pedestrian detection, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat. Premium trims added blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and optional advanced tech like higher-speed emergency braking, rear emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise for autonomous driving on highways. The XT6 also offered comprehensive safety systems, bolstered by the Platinum Package. Highlights included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Super Cruise was the star feature, enabling hands-free driving on approved highways under certain conditions. However, the system showed limitations in complex driving scenarios and was sometimes slow to respond. Both the IIHS and NHTSA bestowed high safety ratings on the XT6, affirming its protective capabilities in collisions.