2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC vs 2021 Cadillac XT6

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, the XT6 Sport stood out with its darkened accent pieces and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights contributed to its premium appearance. Inside, the XT6's cabin mirrored the XT5, 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 area was less premium, though still attractive.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC embraced a timeless aesthetic with soft curves and rounded edges, maintaining a modern aggression with its LED headlights. The GLC's cabin was a masterpiece, featuring a flowing dash and a minimalist approach. The interior was considered a benchmark for compact luxury SUVs. The GLC was available in both conventional SUV and crossover "coupe" body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sharper look. Standard features included 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a power liftgate, while the interior boasted synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and the MBUX infotainment system.

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 and 258 pound-feet of torque. The XT6 offered standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive, with the Sport model exclusively AWD. However, the XT6 Sport's weight of 4,690 pounds made it feel less dynamic, affecting its driving dynamics. Fuel economy for the XT6 was competitive, with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine achieving 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined with AWD.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 came standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLC offered rear-wheel drive or available 4MATIC all-wheel drive. It featured Dynamic Select with multiple drive modes, providing a balance of refinement and responsiveness. For those seeking more power, the AMG GLC43 and AMG GLC63 models offered twin-turbocharged engines with up to 503 horsepower. The GLC's powertrain was generally responsive, with precise steering and confident handling.

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 interior space compared to competitors like the Acura MDX. The 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 standard power liftgate.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC provided 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 19.4 cubic feet with them up. The GLC Coupe's cargo space was slightly smaller. The GLC's interior offered ample storage options, including a center console and deep door pockets. Rear-seat space was decent, with adequate legroom and headroom in the SUV, though the Coupe's low roofline reduced headroom. Overall, the GLC made efficient use of its interior space.

The Cadillac XT6 featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard features included tri-zone automatic climate control, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a WiFi hotspot. Buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and heated/ventilated seats. While the tech was suitable, the infotainment screen was smaller than competitors.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC boasted the MBUX infotainment system with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, touch controller, and advanced voice-control system. The system was intuitive, with touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel for customization. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though switching between the GLC's radio and smartphone apps required navigating through menus. Despite this, the GLC's infotainment system was highly regarded.

The Cadillac XT6 came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, and lane-keep assist. 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 Mercedes-Benz GLC was equipped with standard safety tech, such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera and dynamic cruise control. The parking sensors were overly sensitive, but could be deactivated if needed.