2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, mirroring the styling cues of 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 Volkswagen ID.4, designed as an EV from the ground up, showcased a distinctive look with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed to the corners, differentiating it from VW's gasoline models. The interior blended Volkswagen's minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. Standard features included a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, with leatherette upholstery available on higher trims. The ID.4's cabin felt spacious, with good forward visibility, though rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The console offered limited storage space, but the heated steering wheel and front seats proved effective in cold weather.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The same engine was standard in the Premium Luxury trim, while the base Luxury model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine provided ample power, and the nine-speed transmission shifted smoothly. The XT6 offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and available all-wheel drive (AWD), with the Sport model exclusively AWD. However, the XT6 Sport's 4,690-pound weight made it feel less dynamic, especially in turns and under harsh acceleration. Fuel economy for the V6 engine was 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with FWD, slightly lower with AWD. The Smart Towing package was available on midgrade and higher trims.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An AWD version with a second motor arrived later, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered increased power and traction. The ID.4 prioritized comfort over sportiness, with a smooth ride but noticeable body roll in corners. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, instead relying on friction brakes and coasting for efficiency. This approach aimed to provide a familiar experience for drivers transitioning from gasoline cars.

The Cadillac XT6 offered comfortable seating, with heating available in the first two rows. Seating for seven was standard, with an option to upgrade to captain’s chairs in the second row. Adults could fit in the third row, though the XT6 had less head-, leg-, shoulder-, and hip room compared to competitors like the Telluride and Palisade. Interior storage was limited, particularly for front-row occupants. The rear cargo space was generous, with power-folding third-row seats and an available hands-free power liftgate. However, the cargo load floor was high, and space behind the third row was limited.

The Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious, with more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, more than many EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the CR-V and RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, opting instead to maximize cabin space. The interior featured a twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up console space, though storage options were limited. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating in cold weather. The driver’s seat lacked thigh support, which could be uncomfortable on long drives.

The Cadillac XT6 came with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, tri-zone automatic climate control, 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. Optional upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. The infotainment screen, though functional, was smaller than competitors and could appear crowded or lacking information depending on the use case.

The Volkswagen ID.4 featured a standard 10-inch touchscreen (with an optional 12-inch screen), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads for controls. While visually appealing, the touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback, making simple tasks challenging. The natural-language voice-control system allowed for easier adjustments, though it was slow to respond. The ID.4 also introduced ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The Cadillac XT6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, a high-definition rearview camera, Safety Alert Seat, and IntelliBeam headlights. Premium Luxury and Sport models added lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Assist Package offered adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover crash test rating from the NHTSA, and the 2020 model, structurally similar, was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.

The Volkswagen ID.4 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New for 2021, Travel Assist added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist could bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding well to acceleration and deceleration.