2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, borrowing styling cues from the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. The XT6 Sport trim 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 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, with its extended length to accommodate a third row, maintained a recognizable Jeep aesthetic with modernized lighting and improved paint finish and panel fit. The high-end Summit and Summit Reserve trims added black roofs, larger wheels, and more chrome. Inside, the Grand Cherokee L impressed with dual high-resolution screens, real wood, aluminum, and quilted Nappa leather, creating a luxurious feel. Even in all-black, the interior offered enough detail and contrast to keep passengers comfortable and visually stimulated.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. The base XT6 Luxury model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The V6 engine provided sufficient power, but the XT6 Sport's weight of 4,690 pounds made it feel less dynamic, especially in turns and under harsh acceleration. Fuel economy for the V6 was 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, slightly lower with all-wheel drive.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered two familiar engines: a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The V6 felt insufficient for the vehicle's weight, while the V8 provided a more satisfying performance. Fuel economy for the V6 was 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8 was notably worse at 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis, however, was stellar, with excellent ride composure and steering feel, and the optional air suspension offered five ride height settings for various driving conditions.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered comfortable seats with heating in the first two rows, but other premium SUVs like the Acura MDX had more plush seating. Seating for seven was standard, with an option for second-row captain’s chairs. Adults could fit in the third row, but 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. The XT6 excelled in cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats and a standard power liftgate, though the cargo load floor was high.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with physical switches for climate and stereo controls. The Laredo and Altitude trims had an 8.4-inch touchscreen, while higher trims had a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Grand Cherokee L offered ample space in all rows, with second-row captain's chairs standard and a 60/40 split bench seat optional. A panoramic roof, large windows, and multiple USB ports enhanced comfort, though the air vents were small and required the fan to be on high, which was loud.

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

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L offered premium features on upper trims, including massage modes for the front seats, a head-up display, night vision, a 360-degree camera system, and Active Driving Assist. The navigation system integrated with the instrument panel, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were wireless. New for 2022 were optional touchscreens for the front passenger and rear-seat passengers. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Premium Luxury and Sport models added lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The XT6 struggled with lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning systems. The Driver Assist Package and Enhanced Visibility and Technology Package offered additional safety features. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover crash test rating from NHTSA, and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by IIHS.

The 2022 Grand Cherokee L had not yet been tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included driver and passenger knee airbags, a rear seat alert, and trailer sway control. The Grand Cherokee L also offered various driver aids like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.