2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, mirroring the styling cues of the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. The XT6 Sport trim, in particular, 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 luxury touches. However, some elements of the dashboard and stitching appeared less premium.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, offered a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and dramatic character lines. The Elite trim level featured dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and a quality interior with leather seats, tri-zone climate control, and numerous storage spaces. The Odyssey's interior was designed for practicality and comfort, with features like Magic Slide second-row seats and a spacious third-row seat that could comfortably accommodate adults. The cargo space was impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed.

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. The base XT6 Luxury model had a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The XT6 offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, with the Sport model exclusively available with AWD. However, the XT6 Sport's weight of 4,690 pounds made it feel less dynamic, especially in comparison to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. Fuel economy for the V6 engine was 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with FWD, slightly lower with AWD.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Unlike some competitors, the Odyssey did not offer AWD or hybrid options, resulting in an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg combined. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. The Odyssey's driving character was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and responsive handling, but the brakes tended to overheat on long descents, leading to pedal vibration and noise. Despite this, the Odyssey remained composed and fun to drive.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered comfortable 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 head-, leg-, shoulder-, and hip room compared to competitors. 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 high cargo load floor. The power liftgate and remote-folding second-row seats added convenience.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather seats, tri-zone climate control, and an onboard vacuum cleaner. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The Magic Slide second-row seats offered flexibility, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey's cargo space was impressive, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed, making it ideal for family trips and large loads.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, tri-zone climate control, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and six USB ports were also included. Optional upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. However, the infotainment screen was smaller than competitors and could appear crowded.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto starting from the EX trim. The Touring and Elite trims added navigation, HondaLink connected services, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk technology. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display, but it was considered outdated. The Elite trim also featured an 11-speaker premium audio system and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly but could benefit from a larger screen and a tuning knob.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 was equipped 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. Optional packages included adaptive cruise control, enhanced emergency braking, and a rear-camera mirror. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on the EX trim and higher. The Odyssey's safety systems could be overly sensitive, but it earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.