2022 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey had a familiar look that was subtly updated for the new model year. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation across all trims, and a new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretching the width of the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trim levels, modernizing the Odyssey by reducing brightwork. Buyers could choose from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including the $1,120 destination charge. The Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, new dashboard ambient lighting, and new tri-color floor mats.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury test vehicle arrived with polished 20-inch alloy wheels, Stellar Black paint, and a Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior. The XT6 had a conservatively tailored image, with towering front running lights that tapered inward, making it look tall and narrow. The rear taillights were similar to those used by GMC, and the overall design was blandly inoffensive. Cadillac offered the XT6 in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trim levels, with prices starting just under $50,000, including the destination charge. The test vehicle, equipped with almost every available option, including Super Cruise and Night Vision technologies, had an MSRP of $73,565. Despite the rich materials and sophisticated driving assistance technology, the interior did not look like it belonged in a luxury SUV of this price range, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen display running the same software as a Chevy.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels, producing 280 horsepower. The transmission included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, as well as paddle shifters. The V6 engine featured variable cylinder management for fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 21.8 mpg. The Odyssey lacked all-wheel drive (AWD), putting it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. Honda added a new electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, and the Odyssey's ride and handling qualities contributed to a pleasurable driving experience. However, the brakes did not withstand much abuse, heating up and fading during a heatwave test.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 employed the same engines as the GMC Acadia. The base model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the Premium Luxury and Sport trims used a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. AWD was available with both engines, and the test vehicle had an adaptive-damping performance suspension upgrade paired with 20-inch wheels. The XT6 was athletic on twisty roads and handled speed bumps with ease. However, it was not particularly enjoyable to drive, with smooth steering and responsive brakes leaning toward serenity rather than excitement. The V6 engine returned 19.5 mpg in combined driving during the test, slightly below the EPA rating of 21 mpg.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat was comfortable, and the Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row Magic Slide seats provided various seating modes, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults. Cargo space measured 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 88.8 cubic feet with the third row tumbled, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats removed. However, removing and reinstalling the second-row seats was cumbersome.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6's interior was less spacious than expected, with comfortable power-adjustable front seats wrapped in semi-aniline leather. The second-row captain's chairs offered good legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped for adults. Storage space was decent but unremarkable, with a small cubby on the dashboard and a bin under the center armrest. Cargo space measured 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 78.7 cubic feet in total.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's EX trim and above featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, and built-in streaming apps.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered impressive features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free highway driving-assistance system. However, it lacked digital gauges and had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, and an available embedded navigation system. The natural voice recognition technology was excellent, but the touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive seat ventilation indicators were usability issues. The available Bose Performance Series premium audio system sounded great, and the digital rear camera improved rear visibility.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey's Honda Sensing suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) was standard on all trims, with new features like low-speed follow capability, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with five-star ratings in every assessment except rollover resistance, which received four stars.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, equipped with the Platinum Package, had a comprehensive list of driving-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Super Cruise system allowed hands-free highway driving but had limitations in certain conditions. The XT6 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.