2022 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Lincoln Aviator

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator stood out by not mimicking its competitors' styles. Instead, it adopted the successful design language of the larger Navigator, resulting in a sharp-looking vehicle with crisp lines and tasteful chrome accents. Inside, the Aviator differentiated itself from its Ford counterpart with a luxurious and comfortable cabin, featuring soft-touch materials and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The piano button shifter and soothing chimes added to the Aviator's air of class and luxury.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, on the other hand, presented a more conservative and inoffensive design. While it featured polished 20-inch alloy wheels and a premium leather interior, the XT6's exterior proportions and details conveyed a tailored but somewhat bland image. Inside, the XT6 offered rich materials and a comfortable driving position, but its overall layout and controls felt more akin to other GM crossovers, lacking the distinctive luxury expected in this segment.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. This power was routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label trims featured a plug-in hybrid configuration, boosting output to 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, with a 21-mile electric-only range. The Aviator's drive mode selector offered options like "Excite" and "Conserve," making it well-suited for highways and suburban driving, though it struggled in tight city spaces.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 employed a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in its base Luxury trim, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. AWD was available with both engines, and the XT6 offered Tour and Sport driving modes. While the V6 provided sufficient power and a smooth ride, the XT6's driving dynamics leaned more toward serenity than excitement. The XT6's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined, with our test vehicle achieving 19.5 mpg.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator provided 18.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats, expandable to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a total of 77.7 cubic feet with all rear seats down. The second-row captain's chairs and digital control panel for seat, climate, and audio controls made the second row the place to be. However, the use of power-button door releases raised concerns about functionality if the battery ever died.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, expandable to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 78.7 cubic feet. The XT6's interior felt narrower than expected, with the third-row seat being uninhabitable for adults. Storage space was decent but unremarkable, with small cubbies and bins. The sliding second-row captain's chairs provided good legroom, but accessing the third row required some acrobatics.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator featured a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the intuitive Sync 3 infotainment system, with a landscape layout that made for a natural user experience. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with large icons and a sensible menu layout. The Aviator also offered a fully digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display with crisp graphics.

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 fell short with its analog gauges and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The software was excellent, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but usability issues like touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive indicators detracted from the experience. The available Bose Performance Series premium audio system and digital rear camera were highlights, but the head-up display was less impressive.

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator came well-equipped with standard driver assistance features as part of the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot 360 Plus package added features like reverse automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. The Aviator earned top marks from the NHTSA and IIHS, including a Top Safety Pick accolade.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, with its optional Platinum Package, included a comprehensive list of driving-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The standout feature was the Super Cruise system, which allowed for hands-free highway driving under certain conditions. However, Super Cruise had limitations and required the driver to be ready to take control at any time. The XT6 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.