2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Ford Explorer

In the past, the 2021 Ford Explorer carried a familial resemblance to its SUV siblings—the Escape, the Edge, and the Expedition. This uniformity gave the brand a cohesive identity, somewhere reminiscent of the 1950s when manufacturers planned a lifetime brand loyalty from their customers. The Explorer presented an appealing exterior with sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive squinting visages that differentiated it from other brands' SUVs. However, a quick glance could leave one wondering if they were looking at an Edge or an Explorer due to their visual similarity.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6, by contrast, exuded sophistication. Sharing design cues with the XT4 and XT5, the XT6 boasted a refined visage that immediately declared its premium status. The Sport trim, in particular, showcased darkened accents and sharp, slim LED headlights that cemented its luxury standing. The XT6 came in seven paint colors, with all but the mundane Satin Steel Metallic carrying an additional surcharge. A sunroof was standard across all trims.

Inside, the Explorer offered a practical and clean design. Standard three-row seating came with comfortable, if not luxurious, cloth upholstery on the base model. The center console featured an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large, user-friendly knobs and buttons for audio and climate controls. The XT6 mirrored the XT5's interior but was slightly larger, offering three color options: Jet Black, Cirrus, and Maple Sugar. Premium aspects like semi-aniline leather upholstery were available with the Platinum Package, enhancing the XT6's appeal. However, some elements like the stitching and buttons seemed less premium compared to its competitors.

Weighing in at 4,345 pounds at its lightest, the base 2021 Ford Explorer featured a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering a surprising 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed competitors like the Kia Telluride in raw horsepower and torque but had to contend with its higher curb weight. The Limited Hybrid trim upped the ante with a V6 hybrid engine, producing 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims sported a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, offering up to 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, with the sport-oriented ST trim delivering a robust 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. However, impressive towing capacity, ranging between 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, highlighted the Explorer's versatility rather than its performance flair.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, yielding 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available. The base XT6 Luxury model had a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine generating 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Despite the powerful V6, the XT6’s driving dynamics were compromised by its hefty 4,690-pound weight, particularly noticeable in parking and highway accelerations. Its weight distribution issues made it less agile compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride.

The 2021 Ford Explorer’s base model offered seating for seven, while other trims featured captain’s chairs in the second row, reducing capacity to six. It provided a commendable 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers. Even with the third row in use, it offered an impressive 21 cubic feet of cargo space. However, with the rear seats folded, the total cargo volume was 81 cubic feet, which, while decent, was not exceptional compared to competitors.

The Cadillac XT6 also housed seating for seven as standard, with the option to upgrade to second-row captain’s chairs. One notable advantage was that adults could fit in the third row, a feature still rare in many premium SUVs. However, the XT6 offered less headroom and legroom compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Cargo-wise, it shone brightly with more overall capacity and a user-friendly power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats. The load floor was high, but this was typical for the class.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen standard across all trims, equipped with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and the option to upgrade to a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a 14-speaker B&O sound system. Various USB ports and power points ensured passengers stayed connected and charged.

Cadillac’s XT6 technology was adequate but not groundbreaking. An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with user profiles, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard. Buyers could upgrade to features like a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging capability. Packages also offered additional tech like air ionizers and Teen Driver monitoring.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It provided a comprehensive suite of safety features, including the Ford Co-Pilot360 with auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist and alert, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Some features, like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist, were reserved for higher trims.

All Cadillac XT6 models were equipped with automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, a high-definition rearview camera, and more. Premium Luxury and Sport models added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking were available through optional packages. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the XT6 a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover crash test rating, while the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+.