2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Kia EV6

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. Updated in 2020 with 40 enhancements, including a new engine option and revised styling, the XT5 carried these changes into 2021. The SUV featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated and stylish appearance. Inside, the XT5's Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut and sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, offering a more upscale experience than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sportier and more svelte design, reminiscent of the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The EV6's exterior featured a highback tail with a lip spoiler, wide fenders, and squinting headlights, giving it a dynamic and aggressive look. The interior boasted dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in suede and leather. Ambient lighting and futuristic design elements, such as the hockey-puck shifter, added to the EV6's modern and tech-forward appeal.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims came standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, was available for the Premium Luxury trim and standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but was clunkier when downshifting. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in AWD during a 2,000-mile test, surpassing the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6.

The 2022 Kia EV6, tested in the GT-Line e-AWD trim, featured two electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. With a 77-kilowatt-hour battery, the EV6 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The upcoming GT trim promised 576 horsepower and a sub-3.5-second 0-60 time. The EV6's regenerative braking offered more than eight settings, allowing for one-pedal driving. However, the EV6's driving range was disappointing in cold weather, achieving only 65 percent of its 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging times varied, with the EV6 taking 35 minutes to go from 15 to 80 percent battery at a 130 kW charger.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 accommodated four adults comfortably in two rows, though the rear seat's headroom was limited for taller passengers. The front seats, while visually appealing, were less comfortable on long trips due to hard bottom cushions. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Nissan Murano and Lincoln Nautilus, but featured a deep rear cargo area with a cargo-management system. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone within eyesight.

The 2022 Kia EV6 reinvented core functions with features like pop-out door handles and a twisting rotary shifter. The interior provided generous legroom and headroom, with reclining rear seats and optional heated cushions. However, the cargo space was limited to 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The high load floor and low roof height further restricted space. The EV6's towing capacity was 2,300 pounds, and it featured an onboard power generator for 120-volt equipment.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The system included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and wireless charging. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hot spot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. The XT5 also offered a rear camera mirror and a head-up display (HUD).

The 2022 Kia EV6's infotainment system was user-friendly, with dual 12-inch screens and a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality. The system included Highway Driving Assist (HDA), blind-spot monitoring, and a 14-speaker Meridian stereo on higher trims. The EV6 lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a wired connection. The 360-degree surround-view cameras and customizable "engine" sounds added to the tech-savvy experience.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. The available Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, while General Motors' Teen Driver software allowed parents to monitor and limit vehicle features for young drivers.

The 2022 Kia EV6, though lacking published test results, came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard on the base Light trim were lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360 cameras, and evasive steering assist.