2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

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.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, with its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork, had a design that reminded some of an athletic sneaker. Despite Mercedes shelving many V8 models, the GLE 53 Coupe retained a robust 429 hp engine. Inside, it was sumptuous with high-end materials, dual-screen instrumentation, and ambient lighting. The cabin's design masked its complexity, and while the lack of traditional controls could be confusing initially, users acclimated over time. The GLE 53 Coupe's interior was both luxurious and high-tech, making it a pleasure to drive, especially at night.

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 V6 engine provided smooth acceleration, but the XT6 Sport's 4,690-pound weight 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 XT6's towing package included hitch guidance and a seven-wire harness.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 429 hp and 384 pound-feet of torque, enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The EPA estimated 19 mpg combined, with our test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg. The GLE 53 Coupe's performance was bolstered by a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission, AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD, and various driving modes. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and performance brakes provided a nimble and composed ride, though the brake pedal was difficult to modulate in traffic. The GLE Coupe excelled in both urban and highway settings, with Sport+ mode offering thrilling performance on winding roads.

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 load floor typical of the class. The power liftgate and optional remote-folding second-row seats added convenience.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe technically seated five, but four was more comfortable. The front seats offered numerous adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage, while the back seat provided ample legroom. The cargo hold was 27.5 cubic feet, expanding to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Comfort upgrades included a four-zone climate control system, heated armrests, and an in-cabin fragrance system, enhancing the luxurious feel of the GLE Coupe.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with tri-zone climate control, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, WiFi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. While the tech was suitable, the infotainment screen was smaller and sometimes crowded compared to competitors.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens, navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Burmester surround-sound system. MBUX was user-friendly with natural voice recognition, though the touchpad on the center console could be inadvertently activated. Optional features included gesture recognition, augmented video for navigation, a head-up display, and an upgraded Burmester 3D sound system.

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 blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Assist Package included adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by IIHS.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pre Safe Sound system protected hearing during a collision. The Driver Assistance Package added 15 systems, including Traffic Jam Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. The GLE Coupe's lane-keeping assistance was highly effective. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.