2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Acura MDX

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its sleek design, sharing styling cues with the smaller Cadillac XT4 and XT5 crossovers. It was available in three trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The tested XT6 Sport featured a traditional Cadillac grille, accented with darkened pieces around the hood and lower bumper, along with matching accents on the window surrounds, roof rails, and rear bumper. The Sport model rode on 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with an Android Satin finish, contributing to its premium, distinctively Cadillac appearance.

The XT6 was offered in seven paint colors, six of which required a surcharge. The interior closely followed the XT5’s design, albeit slightly larger, and came in three color options: Jet Black, Cirrus, and Maple Sugar. The Platinum Package elevated the cabin luxury, adding semi-aniline leather upholstery, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats, enhancing the premium feel. Despite the luxurious seating, the dashboard featured some less premium details, though the steering wheel and console surfaces gave a good tactile feel.

The 2022 Acura MDX, a pioneer in the three-row luxury crossover SUV category, maintained a smaller exterior look than its interior felt. Built on a dedicated platform, it featured a longer wheelbase, increased overall length, wider body, and wider track. The extended dash-to-axle ratio added an elegant touch. The MDX showcased standard Jewel Eye LED headlights, expressive LED daytime running lights, and larger wheels varying from 19 to 20 inches, giving it a sportier and modern design. Manufactured in East Liberty, Ohio, it boasted high craftsmanship and quality.

Inside, the MDX was refined with a layered dashboard enhancing cabin width and authentic materials like natural wood, aluminum, and leather. The unique gear selection controls, similar to those in a fighter jet, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen ensured a modern, sophisticated cabin. The gear selector and drive mode rotary dial provided a user-friendly interface, while the spacious first-row seats, beefy steering wheel, and well-placed controls ensured comfort and functionality. The MDX offered eight exterior colors and six interior themes, adding variety and customization options to the luxurious feel.

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 smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine was also 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-powered XT6 provided sufficient power, but the SUV felt heavy, particularly the Sport model at 4,690 pounds, impacting its driving dynamics and handling in various situations.

Front-wheel drive was standard, with optional all-wheel drive available on Luxury and Premium Luxury models, while the Sport trim came exclusively with all-wheel drive. The XT6 offered decent fuel economy, with the base engine achieving up to 23 mpg combined with AWD. The V6 variant delivered up to 21 mpg combined with AWD. Additionally, the Smart Towing package enhanced its utility capabilities.

The 2022 Acura MDX launched with a single engine option, a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 producing 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, complemented by a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The base MDX and Tech trims had front-wheel drive, while the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) was optional for these and standard on higher trims. SH-AWD enhanced cornering and maneuverability with torque vectoring, improving performance and steering feel. The upgraded suspension setup and improved disc brakes contributed to better handling and ride quality.

The MDX featured a variable gear ratio steering system, enhancing low and mid-speed maneuverability. With better overall stiffness and rigidity, the MDX offered a solid and confident ride, free from flex or squeaks. The 10-speed transmission seamlessly paired with the engine, optimizing performance and efficiency. Five drive modes allowed customization of various driving dynamics.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6’s cabin provided comfortable seating, particularly when equipped with heating in the first two rows. Although seating for seven was standard, captain’s chairs for the second row were available for an extra cost. The third-row accommodated adults, but space was more limited compared to competitors. Interior storage options were subpar, with minimal small-item storage for front-row passengers. However, the XT6 excelled in cargo space, offering ample room behind the third row and further enhanced by power-folding seats and a standard power liftgate.

The 2022 Acura MDX offered versatile seating with comfortable front and second-row seats. The second row featured a removable center seat and adjustable settings to optimize legroom and recline. The third-row, suitable for pre-teens, offered USB connections across three rows. Cargo capacity was flexible, ranging from 16.3-18.1 cubic feet behind the third row to 71.4-95 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, supplemented by underfloor storage. The power tailgate featured new functionalities, including “Grab ‘N Go” and programmable opening height. Interior lighting added a customizable and atmospheric touch with 27 themes.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6’s technology was competent yet unremarkable. An 8.0-inch touchscreen handled infotainment, supported by a host of standard features like tri-zone automatic climate control, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, a wireless phone charger, and navigation.

The 2022 Acura MDX shone with advanced technological features, highlighted by the ELS Studio 3D Premium Audio System. Standard across all models was a 12.3-inch infotainment screen paired with the Acura Precision Cockpit digital panel. Additional features included Amazon Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Qi wireless charging, and CabinTalk for second and third-row communication. Higher trims added a head-up display, HD rearview camera system, and over-the-air software updates.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came well-equipped with safety features, including multiple airbags, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and IntelliBeam headlights. Premium trims also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the lane-keeping system had reliability issues under less-than-ideal conditions. Optional packages offered enhanced emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and Night Vision technology. The XT6 had strong safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, ensuring solid crash protection.

The 2022 Acura MDX benefited from engineering advances aimed at improving safety. Featuring a higher percentage of high-strength steel and an innovative safety structure, it offered comprehensive collision protection. The front-end redesign improved pedestrian safety, complemented by a low-speed braking control system for enhanced safety in urban environments. The standard AcuraWatch suite included collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic-jam assist, among other features. Anticipated high safety ratings were expected to match or surpass previous models.