2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with design cues that seamlessly aligned it with its XT4 and XT5 siblings. It was offered in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels, each presenting a slightly different aesthetic flavor. The XT6 Sport as tested, showcased a grille akin to traditional XT6 styles but featured darkened accents on the lip between grille and hood, and around the lower bumper, window surrounds, roof rails, and rear bumper. These dark elements gave the Sport trim a more aggressive look. It rode on 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with Android Satin finish pockets, which, combined with the SUV's sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights, cemented its premium and quintessentially Cadillac aesthetic.

Cadillac offered the XT6 in seven paint colors, with most requiring a $625 and up surcharge, with Satin Steel Metallic (gray) being the no-cost option. A sunroof was standard, adding to the vehicle's luxurious appeal.

Inside, the XT6 borrowed heavily from the XT5’s playbook, appearing nearly identical but slightly larger to accommodate its overall size. Interior color options included Jet Black, Cirrus (light grey), and Maple Sugar. The seats were a standout feature, adopting the luxury SUV look. Adding the Platinum Package ($3,700) elevated the interior further, featuring semi-aniline leather for all three rows, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats.

The dashboard was less premium compared to the seats, with some design elements appearing cheaper. However, the steering wheel and console surfaces offered a tactile quality that was pleasant to the touch.

Contrastingly, the 2022 Volvo XC90 moved the brand away from its boxy past into a more luxurious territory while retaining its family-friendly, safety-oriented image. The XC90 debuted on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, launched as the company's flagship SUV in 2016.

The 2022 XC90 had an imposing stance and a sleek profile that suggested forward momentum. Its long roofline gracefully hid its substantial greenhouse, and pronounced wheel arches added a touch of athleticism. The snub nose, recalling the classic upright 245 wagon grille, and the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights, playfully nodded to its Swedish heritage. Superior fit and finish and meticulous detailing underscored its premium status.

The XC90’s interior brought home design concepts like "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury" to life. Natural wood and metal trims offered authenticity, while exquisite features like the sliding wood tambor cover on the center console and the clear crystal gear selector handle indicated high luxury. Volvo’s commitment to going leather-free by 2030 introduced a tailored wool blend upholstery option, complementing the available Nappa leather seats.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered a 3.6-liter V6 engine for its Sport and Premium Luxury trims, producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission. The base XT6 Luxury trim came with a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Despite the V6's ample power, the XT6 Sport, weighing 4,690 pounds, felt heavy. This weight distribution, with the AWD mechanics located mid-rear, made the SUV less dynamic compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride.

Fuel economy for the XT6 varied by drivetrain: the entry-level turbocharged four-cylinder engine with AWD achieved 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. The V6-powered FWD models earned similar ratings, while the AWD versions were slightly less efficient. The optional Smart Towing package added useful features like hitch guidance and a seven-wire harness.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 provided three powertrain options. The T5 model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 added a supercharger, raising output to 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 plug-in hybrid combined a supercharged/turbocharged engine with an electric motor, delivering a potent 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque.

All XC90 models used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the T5 offering FWD and AWD options, and T6 and T8 models available only with AWD. The fuel economy ranged from 21 mpg city and 30 mpg highway for T5 FWD models to 27 mpg combined for the T8 plug-in hybrid. Extended Range versions of the T8 further improved efficiency.

Despite its size, the XC90 handled impressively like a smaller SUV, providing minimal body roll and a spirited driving experience. The T8 Inscription extended range model's electric motor delivered torque early, ensuring smooth power delivery without perceptible turbo lag.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 aimed to cater to family needs but fell short in several areas compared to its competitors. While comfortable seats with optional heating in the first two rows provided a pleasant experience, other premium SUVs like the Acura MDX offered more plush seating arrangements. The XT6 accommodated seven passengers by default, with an $800 captain’s chairs upgrade for the second row. Adults could fit in the third row, but the SUV offered less head-, leg-, shoulder-, and hip room than rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.

Interior storage was less than ideal, with limited space for small items in the front row. The wireless phone charger was deep-pocketed, making phone access inconvenient. However, the XT6 excelled in cargo space. It featured a power liftgate, power-folding third-row seats, and available remote-folding second-row seats. Though the cargo load floor was high, it had more overall cargo space than many competitors.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered both six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations. Its third-row access was user-friendly with a one-handed slide and fold mechanism for the second row. The third row suited children better due to limited legroom. The cargo space varied from 15.9 cubic feet behind the third row to 85.7 cubic feet with both rows folded flat. The XC90 also supported towing capacities ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 pounds depending on the configuration.

The XC90 optimized interior space with ample storage options, comfortable seating, and an airy cabin, enhanced by the standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed exceptionally well even during a heat wave, proving the XC90’s capability in varied weather conditions.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6’s tech offerings were adequate but not groundbreaking. Its infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen, tri-zone automatic climate control, a WiFi hotspot, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, air ionizer, and enhanced wireless charging. Despite being functional, the infotainment screen's size could feel crowded or lacking depending on the context.

Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system for the 2022 XC90 provided a more modern and intuitive experience with a nine-inch touchscreen supporting tablet-like gestures. However, occasional glitches and slow responses were noted. Integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto improved usability. The XC90 also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an available $1,650 Advanced package, including a head-up display and 360-degree surround-view camera system.

Standard audio was provided by a Harman Kardon system, with a Bowers & Wilkins upgrade available. Connectivity options included USB-A and USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app, providing remote control features for up to four years.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came equipped with a comprehensive set of standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims added lane change alert and blind-spot monitoring. However, the lane-keep assist system struggled with early detection under various conditions. Optional packages included adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and more. The XT6 received high safety ratings, with a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation.

Volvo’s commitment to safety in the 2022 XC90 was evident in its extensive safety feature list, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping aid, and road sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined these features for enhanced driver assistance. The XC90 also garnered top safety awards, including the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.