2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 oozed sophistication with a design that captured attention effortlessly. Cadillac maintained consistency in aesthetics across its SUV lineup, borrowing styling cues from the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. The XT6 was available in three trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport.

The Sport trim, in particular, showcased a grille accented with darkened pieces, adding a touch of bold elegance. This trim also boasted new-for-2021 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels featuring Android Satin finish pockets that perfectly complemented the vehicle's sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights. Despite its sporty nature, the XT6 remained true to its Cadillac roots. Other trims preferred bright surrounds and wheels for a more classic look.

Cadillac offered the XT6 in seven paint colors, though all except the ubiquitous Satin Steel Metallic (gray) came with an additional cost of $625 and upwards. A sunroof was standard, adding a touch of luxury to all trim levels.

Inside, the XT6’s cabin closely resembled that of the XT5, though it was more spacious due to its larger overall size. Interior options included Jet Black, Cirrus (light grey), and Maple Sugar. The most premium aspect was its seats, which were visually straight out of a luxury SUV playbook. The available Platinum Package for $3,700 elevated the experience with semi-aniline leather upholstery, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats.

While the dashboard wasn’t as premium as the seats, it wasn't unattractive. The quality of some buttons and cubby designs leaned towards the cheaper side, but the steering wheel and console surfaces felt good to the touch.

BMW's reputation for high-quality craftsmanship was evident in the 2021 X5. The SUV bore familiar brand traits, ensuring there was no mistaking it for any vehicle other than a BMW. However, this continuity in design led to a visual sameness that could make the X5 blend too easily into a sea of BMWs.

The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights. The standard xLine models had matte aluminum grilles complemented by satin aluminum underbody protection, roof rails, and window surrounds, enhancing its upscale look. The M Sport models opted for body-colored wheel arch trim, bumper trim, and rear underbody protection, with high-gloss black accents that provided the ultimate sporty appearance.

Wheel size varied by trim, available in 19-, 20-, 21-, or 22-inch diameters.

The X5’s interior continued BMW’s tradition of parts-bin consistency. Nearly every switch, dial, and display was reminiscent of other models, creating a sense of familiarity. However, this didn’t detract from quality; there was an abundance of leather and soft-touch materials, though easily dust-collecting black plastics were also prevalent. M Sport models introduced aggressive styling, an M sports steering wheel, unique pedals, and exclusive interior trim strips.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, providing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The same engine powered the Premium Luxury trim, while the base Luxury model housed a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine generating 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

The V6 delivered sufficient power for smooth acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic transmission shifted effortlessly through gears. The XT6 came standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) optional on Luxury and Premium Luxury models and standard on the Sport trim.

Weighing 4,690 pounds, the Sport model’s heft, particularly centered around its mid-rear AWD mechanics, influenced its driving dynamics. This weight distribution challenge made the vehicle feel less dynamic and cumbersome in various scenarios, including parking, winding roads, and highway acceleration.

Fuel economy was competitive, with the FWD turbo-four engine achieving an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. These figures dropped slightly for AWD models. The V6 engine recorded 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined with FWD, with minor reductions for AWD.

BMW offered a range of powertrain options for the 2021 X5, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i housed a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. SDrive denoted rear-wheel drive (RWD), while xDrive indicated all-wheel drive (AWD).

The X5 M50i featured a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine delivering a robust 523 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier X5 M generated 600 horsepower from its twin-turbo V8, which increased to 617 horsepower with the Competition Package.

For 2021, BMW introduced the X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid, with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine paired with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery. It achieved 389 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque with an all-electric range of up to 30 miles. Transitions between electric and hybrid modes were seamless, maintaining cabin quietness and throttle responsiveness.

The X5 xDrive45e provided capable performance but lacked inspiring dynamics, particularly in steering precision. At low speeds, the SUV’s steering felt like a full-size truck’s, and high-speed dynamics were subpar compared to BMW’s usual standards.

Fuel economy varied significantly across models, from the base M achieving 15 mpg combined, the M50i at 18 mpg combined, and the xDrive45e reaching a combined 50 MPGe when utilizing both electric and gasoline power.

The Cadillac XT6 targeted comfort but fared mixed in comparison with rivals. The comfortable seats, standard with heating in the first two rows, were a highlight. However, competitors like the Acura MDX offered even more plush seating. Standard seating was for seven, with an option to upgrade to second-row captain’s chairs for $800.

The XT6 succeeded in accommodating adults in the third row, a common struggle in older midsize SUVs. However, it offered less head, leg, shoulder, and hip room compared to its peers like the Kia Telluride or Subaru Ascent.

Front-row storage was inadequate, with limited space for small items like phones or cords, and the wireless phone charger inaccessible while in use. Conversely, the rear cargo space stood out, excelling in total capacity over many competitors. It featured a standard power liftgate, and Premium Luxury and Sport trims offered hands-free functionality. Power-folding third-row seats were standard, with optional remote-folding second-row seats. Despite a high cargo load floor, it remained competitive in its class, though space behind the third row was limited.

BMW optimized space in the X5 with practical and accessible features. Front cupholders were positioned effectively, while console controls were readily noticeable, despite being challenging to distinguish at night unless tall. The wireless phone charging pad securely housed devices out of sight.

Seating was spacious and suitable for short trips, though the front seats felt hard over longer drives. Standard heated seats and armrests offered discernible comfort levels. Rear seats comfortably fit children and two adults, though the available third row was not tested.

Climate controls were user-friendly and consistently within the driver’s line of sight. The split liftgate facilitated cargo loading with rear height adjustment via the air suspension. Without the third row, cargo area was ample, despite the xDrive45e offering slightly less space.

While children and cargo moved easily within the second-row seats, limited door width presented some challenges in entry and exit.

The Cadillac XT6 featured standard technology suitable for its class. However, its infotainment screen was smaller than competitors’, and it sometimes presented too much or too little information at a glance.

Standard features included tri-zone automatic climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, user profiles, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, and Teen Driver monitoring. Buyers could upgrade for add-ons like an air ionizer, 14-speaker Bose audio, navigation, heated/ventilated seats, and an upgraded wireless charger. Navigation and Bose audio could be bundled for an additional $1,000.

BMW equipped the X5 with a robust array of standard features, starting with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, although Apple CarPlay's automatic music playback upon simple phone interactions could be intrusive, requiring users to unpair devices to stop this behavior.

The standard roster also included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof.

Options to enhance the X5 included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, massaging seats, a WiFi hotspot, upgraded Harman Kardon (16-speakers) or Bowers & Wilkins (20-speakers) audio systems, remote start, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system demanded a learning curve but proved user-friendly with experience.

General Motors equipped the Cadillac XT6 with a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including numerous airbags. Standard safety equipment encompassed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, following-distance indicator, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, a high-definition rearview camera, Safety Alert Seat, and IntelliBeam headlights with rear park assist. Premium Luxury and Sport trims also came with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard.

The XT6’s lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning systems were less effective, often failing to read lines until the SUV had crossed them.

Upgrades included the Driver Assist Package, featuring adaptive cruise control, automatic seat belt tightening, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and reverse automatic braking. The Enhanced Visibility and Technology Package added elements like an 8.0-inch diagonal gauge cluster, head-up display, rear-camera mirror, HD surround vision, rear pedestrian alert, and automatic parking assist with 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+."

BMW outfitted the X5 with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beams. A rearview camera was standard.

However, BMW’s hands-on Driving Assistance Professional Package showed some limitations. Adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality struggled to react promptly to stopped traffic, and the lane-keeping system was unreliable under varied sunlight and weather conditions, requiring frequent manual intervention.

The 2021 BMW X5 received mostly Good ratings from the IIHS. Despite being subject to seven recalls, it earned a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.