2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 GMC Terrain

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.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level boasted a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. Our test vehicle, equipped with Ebony Twilight metallic paint and a black leather interior, featured numerous packages, including the Tech Package and Infotainment Package II, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. While the Terrain's interior materials and execution reflected its entry-level status, it offered practical features like a head-up display, though it was less sophisticated than competitors.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine was also standard in the Premium Luxury trim, while the base Luxury model had a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The V6 provided smooth acceleration, but the XT6 Sport's 4,690-pound weight made it feel less dynamic, especially in turns. Fuel economy for the V6 was 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with FWD, slightly lower with AWD. The XT6 offered a Smart Towing package for midgrade and higher trims.

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the 1.5-liter engine required learning to ride its torque band for satisfaction, it performed adequately compared to competitors. The Terrain AT4 could switch between FWD and AWD modes, with an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system. However, torque steer was an issue in FWD mode. The AT4's 7.9 inches of ground clearance and sport-terrain tires provided a good ride on pavement but struggled off-road. Fuel economy was rated at 26 mpg, with our test showing 26.2 mpg.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered comfortable seating for seven, with optional captain’s chairs in the second row. Adults could fit in the third row, but the XT6 had less room than competitors like the Telluride and Palisade. Interior storage was limited, and the wireless phone charger was inconveniently deep-pocketed. However, the XT6 excelled in cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats and a high cargo load floor. The power liftgate and remote-folding second-row seats added convenience.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-color contrast stitching. The back seat offered ample legroom and support, with a rear USB charging port. The Terrain had numerous storage solutions, including a large storage bin under the trunk floor. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with standard features like tri-zone automatic climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. However, the infotainment screen was smaller and could appear crowded or lacking information.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for SLE trim and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen for SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Our test vehicle had the larger screen with the Infotainment Package II, featuring connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly accurate, though the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Tech Package added a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a comprehensive suite 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 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 rating from NHTSA, and the 2020 model was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

The 2022 GMC Terrain included the GMC Pro Safety Package with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Our test vehicle had all these features, which worked effectively and subtly. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from IIHS, though it earned a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of review.