2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Honda Passport

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. It was available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The XT6 Sport, in particular, featured a traditionally-styled grille with darkened accents, 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and slim all-LED headlights, giving it a premium and distinctly Cadillac appearance. The interior mirrored the XT5's design, offering three color options and the possibility of upgrading to semi-aniline leather upholstery with the Platinum Package. While the seats were luxurious, the dashboard and some interior elements appeared less premium, though still attractive.

The 2021 Honda Passport, essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, offered a spacious interior with high-quality materials. Its styling was similar to the Pilot, including the controversial "button shifter" design. The Passport came in Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims, each adding more features like leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and advanced audio systems. The interior was roomy, with ample headroom and legroom, and the rear seats could recline and slide for added comfort. The Passport's design focused on practicality and comfort, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The base XT6 Luxury model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower. The XT6 offered standard front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive, though the Sport model was exclusively AWD. Despite its power, the XT6 Sport felt heavy, affecting its driving dynamics, especially in tight turns and during acceleration. Fuel economy was competitive, with the V6 achieving 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway in FWD models.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, also paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered strong acceleration and smooth power management, with standard FWD and optional AWD. The Passport's ride was comfortable and refined, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and drive modes for various terrains. It could tow up to 3,500 pounds with FWD and 5,000 pounds with AWD, making it a capable choice for those needing towing capacity.

The Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven, with the option to upgrade to captain’s chairs in the second row. While adults could fit in the third row, the XT6 had less room compared to competitors like the Telluride and Palisade. Interior storage was limited, and the wireless phone charger was not easily accessible. However, the XT6 excelled in cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats and a power liftgate, though the cargo load floor was high.

The Honda Passport provided up to 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. It featured a power liftgate on higher trims and an under-floor storage tray. The upright seating position offered excellent visibility, and the interior had ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a spacious center console. The rear seats were comfortable, with plenty of headroom and legroom, making the Passport a practical choice for families.

The Cadillac XT6 came with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. While the tech was adequate, the infotainment screen was smaller than competitors, and the interface could be crowded. Buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose audio system and navigation. The XT6's tech offerings were solid but not groundbreaking.

The Honda Passport featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a step up from the Pilot. However, the infotainment system had dated graphics and a confusing menu layout. Despite these drawbacks, the inclusion of a volume dial was appreciated. The Passport's tech was functional but could benefit from a more intuitive interface.

The Cadillac XT6 was equipped with numerous standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Premium Luxury and Sport models added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.

The Honda Passport came with advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Passport earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received "Acceptable" ratings for headlights and child-seat anchor ease of use.