2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 was designed to exude sophistication. The luxury SUV carried style cues synonymous with the Cadillac family, sharing a face with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. It came in three trim levels: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The XT6 Sport, specifically, was distinguished by a traditionally-styled grille with darkened accent pieces at the lip between the grille and hood, and around the lower bumper. The window surrounds, roof rails, and rear bumper received similar treatments. The Sport version rode on 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with an Android Satin finish, enhancing its premium appearance. This model also featured sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights, solidifying its Cadillac identity. Cadillac offered the XT6 in seven paint colors, with six of them requiring an additional surcharge.

Inside, the XT6 mirrored the smaller XT5 in design, just larger to fit its bigger frame. It offered three interior color options: Jet Black, Cirrus, and Maple Sugar. The cabin's key highlight was its seats, which in the Platinum Package ($3,700), were upgraded to semi-aniline leather across all three rows, with additions like a microsuede headliner and premium floor mats. Though the dashboard was less premium than the seats, the overall interior still provided substantial comfort and elegance, except for some cheaper-feeling elements around the buttons and cubbies.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L presented an immediate visual appeal. This seven-passenger model was an elongated version of the redesigned 2022 Grand Cherokee, incorporating a third row of seating. It bore a striking resemblance to the full-size Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing design that resonated across its multiple trims: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve. Identifiable as a Jeep by its signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches, and recognizable lighting setup, the Grand Cherokee L maintained a consistent, attractive form.

Our test vehicle in the Summit trim, outfitted with 4WD, metallic paint, advanced technology packages, and a premium audio system, showed off a high level of refinement and technology. Although some interior materials fell short of the expected luxury at its price point, the quilted and perforated leather and real wood trim added to its upscale appeal.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport came equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The same engine was standard in the XT6 Premium Luxury trim, while the base XT6 Luxury model housed a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The V6 was sufficiently powerful, and the smooth-shifting transmission ensured seamless gear transitions. With standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive on various trims, the XT6 offered versatility. However, the XT6 Sport's driving dynamics were hindered by its weight, particularly in the mid-rear section where the AWD mechanics resided, affecting its handling.

Fuel economy for the entry-level turbo-four engine was decent, with an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined (with AWD). The V6 engine’s figures were slightly lower, especially with AWD, but still competitive with 19/26/21 mpg.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, standard with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, offered brisk acceleration. This engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and came in rear-wheel drive or one of three 4WD systems. For more power, the optional 5.7-liter V8, available only on higher trims, provided 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, enhancing towing capacity to 7,200 pounds but reducing fuel efficiency to 17 mpg combined. Our test vehicle with the V6 and 4WD maintained solid performance though it averaged 17.8 mpg during our tests, slightly below expectations.

Jeep’s Quadra-Lift suspension enhanced ride comfort and off-road capability, allowing ground clearance adjustments. The Grand Cherokee L's handling was adept, even on uneven pavement, thanks to its sturdy structure. With additional off-road modes and adaptive air suspension, the vehicle could conquer various terrains, though the regular models were not Trail Rated.

The Cadillac XT6 catered well to its target audience, but there were areas for improvement. The seats were comfortable and came with heating options for the first two rows, but the XT6’s seating wasn’t as plush as competitors like the Acura MDX. Standard seating included space for seven, but captain’s chairs for the second row were available for an additional $800. Adults could fit in the third row, which was a notable advantage, though the XT6 still lagged behind other midsize SUVs in terms of overall passenger space.

Interior small-item storage options were a drawback as well, particularly for front-row occupants. Although it featured a wireless phone charger, it wasn't conveniently accessible. On the cargo front, the XT6 excelled with generous space and practical features like power-folding third-row seats and an optional hands-free power liftgate. However, cargo space behind the third row was limited.

In contrast, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered remarkable comfort, especially in the Summit trim with its heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, and four-zone automatic climate control. The second-row captain’s chairs provided ample legroom, and the third-row seats were comfortable even for adults, enhanced by large side windows for better visibility.

The Grand Cherokee L, too, had limited practical storage in the front seats but made up for it with a strategic storage console for the second and third rows. Cargo capacity was competitive, with 17.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.9 cubic feet with it folded, and a maximum of 84.6 cubic feet.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered a solid, if unspectacular, tech suite. Standard features included tri-zone automatic climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and six USB ports. The available tech upgrades were modest, focusing on convenience and comfort rather than revolutionary advancements. An area of critique was the sometimes crowded infotainment screen.

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee L took a more advanced approach with its Uconnect 5 infotainment system, featuring a faster response and a user-friendly experience. The system supported wireless smartphone integration, Alexa compatibility, satellite radio, and connected services. Our test vehicle came with a 10.1-inch screen, which fit well within the dashboard layout. Despite minor quirks, users quickly adapted to the system.

The Grand Cherokee L also offered notable optional features like a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, a digital instrumentation panel, a digital rearview mirror, night vision system, and a Fam Cam rear-seat monitoring system, indicating a significant leap in technology over the XT6.