2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Lincoln Navigator

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, borrowing styling cues from the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, the XT6 Sport 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, similar to the XT5 but larger, offered three color options and could be upgraded with the Platinum Package for semi-aniline leather upholstery and other premium touches. However, some dashboard elements appeared less premium, though the steering wheel and console surfaces felt good to the touch.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator, on the other hand, stood out with its elegance and understatement, despite its massive size. Sharing its side glass and overall footprint with the Ford Expedition, the Navigator's design included simple rectilinear shapes, a body-color grille, and full-width taillights. The interior impressed with seven color palettes, layered wood trim, a floating center console, and a minimalist digital instrument panel. Materials were high-quality, and the Perfect Position seats offered 30-way adjustability, making the Navigator feel luxurious and refined, even if it lacked some of the advanced features found in competitors like the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 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 featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine provided sufficient power, and the nine-speed transmission shifted smoothly. The XT6 offered standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive, with the Sport model exclusively available with AWD. However, the XT6 Sport's weight distribution affected its driving dynamics, making it feel less dynamic compared to competitors. Fuel economy for the XT6 was on par with its rivals, with the V6 engine achieving 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined with FWD.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator featured a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing an impressive 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Navigator offered either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Navigator's performance was remarkable, with quick acceleration and a smooth transition between RWD and 4WD. Towing capacity was substantial, at 8,300 pounds for 4WD models and 8,700 pounds for RWD models. However, fuel economy was poor, averaging in the teens, with an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined. The Navigator's adaptive dampers provided a decent ride, but it lacked the superior control and handling of competitors like the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered comfortable seating for seven, with the option to upgrade to captain's chairs in the second row. Adults could fit in the third row, but the XT6 had less head, leg, shoulder, and hip room compared to competitors. Interior storage was limited, especially for front-row passengers. The rear cargo space was a highlight, with more overall cargo space than many rivals, and features like a standard power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats made it practical for families.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator provided ample space for six adults, with the option to seat up to eight with a second-row bench. The boxy design allowed for generous cargo space, with 19 cubic feet behind the third row, 57 behind the second, and 103 in total. The long-wheelbase Navigator L offered even more storage. The Navigator's front seats were highly adjustable and comfortable, with features like separate thigh extensions, torso bolsters, and massage programs. Visibility was excellent, but parking could be challenging due to its size. The second-row seats could be removed for maximum storage, but they lacked electric recline and other advanced features found in some competitors.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a WiFi hotspot. Optional upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. While the tech was adequate, the infotainment screen was smaller than those in some competitors and could appear crowded or lacking information.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator's 10-inch touchscreen felt small compared to newer systems, and the instrument panel lacked advanced features like full-screen maps. The 20-speaker Revel Ultima stereo was good but not exceptional. The software was intuitive, with fast voice recognition, but there were no onboard apps or wireless software updates. The Navigator included 4G WiFi, wireless device charging, and a smartwatch app, with remote app functions available for five years. Rear entertainment options included Roku media streaming and various connections.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Premium Luxury and Sport models added lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional packages included adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and a head-up display. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.

The 2021 Lincoln Navigator received five stars overall from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover resistance in 4WD models and three stars for RWD models. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto high beams. Adaptive cruise control was optional, but the Navigator's lane-keeping capabilities were not as advanced as some competitors.