2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Lexus GX

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 overall feel was still attractive.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, tested in Black Onyx, aimed for a sleek, monochromatic look by eliminating most chrome accents. Despite its modern touches like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin maintained Lexus's reputation for quality with smooth, refined materials and a quiet atmosphere. The GX's tall, narrow, and short dimensions made it maneuverable, but the slow steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the driving experience. The Black Line Special Edition added NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner, enhancing its interior appeal.

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 featured 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 tight turns and during harsh acceleration. Fuel economy for the V6 with front-wheel drive was 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, with slight variations for all-wheel drive models. The XT6 also offered a Smart Towing package for enhanced towing capabilities.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, provided a satisfying engine note and a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The GX's fuel economy was a modest 16 mpg combined, reflecting its heavy weight and always-on 4WD system. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability, but the slow steering and touchy brake pedal made urban driving less enjoyable. Despite its age, the GX remained capable off-road, especially with the available Off-Road Package.

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 overall space compared to competitors like the Telluride and Palisade. Interior storage was limited, and the wireless phone charger design was inconvenient. However, the XT6 excelled in cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats and an available hands-free power liftgate. The high cargo load floor was typical for the class, but space behind the third row was limited.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position and clear visibility from its 10-way power-adjustable seat. The interior featured comfortable seats and well-placed padding, though some switchgear felt outdated. The Black Line Special Edition added NuLuxe upholstery and black ash wood trim. Rear seat access was challenging, and the third row was cramped and close to the tailgate, raising safety concerns. The GX's cargo space was limited, with a high load floor and a side-swinging tailgate that complicated loading. Lexus claimed 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded, less than some compact SUVs.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, tri-zone automatic climate control, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and six USB ports. 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.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The dual-screen view and excellent voice recognition technology were highlights. The GX also offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and standard Intuitive Parking Assist, with optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

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 lane change alert with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Assist Package and Enhanced Visibility and Technology Package offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and a rear-camera mirror. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, included Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors. The absence of lane-keeping assist and other modern driving aids might appeal to some buyers but could be a drawback for others. There were no crash-test ratings available for the GX.