2022 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped somewhat, but the overall look didn't match the stunning designs of Mercedes' sedans, coupes, and sports cars. The AMG trim added a sporty touch, but it still couldn't compete with the likes of the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior was a different story. The redesigned GLE boasted a masterpiece of quality, layout, colors, and textures. The red and black interior was both loud and luxurious, with features like twin arching grab handles, LED lighting, and a mix of wood, metal, leather, and suede that made it a delight to touch and operate.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac XT6 presented a more conservative and tailored exterior. The front running lights tapered inward, giving it a tall and narrow appearance, while the rear taillights were simple vertical lights similar to those on GMC models. Despite its bland exterior, the XT6's proportions and details fit well with Cadillac's lineup. Inside, the XT6 offered a Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior that felt luxurious but didn't quite match the sophistication of its rivals. The interior materials were rich, but the overall layout and controls felt more akin to a GM crossover SUV than a luxury vehicle. The analog gauges and 8-inch touchscreen display were functional but lacked the modern sophistication expected in this segment.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in performance with its complex suspension and engine setups. The base GLE 350 featured a 255 hp engine with 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 offered a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. The AMG GLE 53 took it up a notch with 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, thanks to an electric supercharger. The GLE 580 boasted a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, and the GLE 63 S topped the range with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. The GLE's air suspension systems, including AIRMATIC and E-Active Body Control, provided exceptional ride quality and handling. The hybrid setup in all models except the GLE 350 added up to 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, enhancing performance without significantly improving fuel efficiency. The GLE's towing capacity of 7,700 pounds was also impressive.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, on the other hand, offered a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque in its base model. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 hp and 271 lb-ft. While the V6 provided sufficient power, it lacked the turbocharging found in some of its competitors. The XT6's adaptive-damping performance suspension and available Brembo brakes contributed to its athletic handling, but the overall driving experience leaned more towards serenity than excitement. The XT6's fuel economy was rated at 21 mpg combined for the V6 with AWD, but our test vehicle returned 19.5 mpg during testing.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior with optional third-row seating, allowing for up to seven passengers. The second-row seats featured power controls for recline, fore-aft, and headrest adjustments, and the third-row access was made easier with sliding and folding seats. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The GLE Coupe, however, was limited to five passengers and had less cargo space due to its sloping roofline. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability with a single touchpad and simplified interface, although some controls required getting used to.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, despite its three-row configuration, felt smaller inside than expected. The front seats were comfortable and wrapped in semi-aniline leather, but they lacked the range of adjustments and massage functions found in some rivals. The second-row captain's chairs offered good legroom when slid back, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited to 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded and 78.7 cubic feet with all rows down. Storage compartments were decent but unremarkable, and some were difficult to access.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was packed with advanced technology. The main 12-inch touchscreen display featured Interior Assistant, which could read hand gestures and magnify icons. The AMG models included a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew functions and GPS lap timing. The GLE also offered features like Seat Kinetics, Energizing Comfort, heated armrests, and bolsters that inflated during steering. The head-up display and instrument panel were highly customizable, and the ambient lighting had 64 colors. The navigation system projected front camera feeds with overlay arrows, and the natural voice assistant responded to "Mercedes" commands. The semi-automated functionality included lane changes and curve slowing.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered a mix of impressive and outdated technology. It featured a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free highway driving-assistance system. However, it lacked digital gauges, instead using analog gauges with a driver information display. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was smaller than competitors but had excellent software, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and intuitive voice recognition. Usability issues included touch-sensing buttons, counterintuitive seat ventilation indicators, and hard-to-read steering wheel markings. The available Bose Performance Series audio system and digital rear camera were highlights, but the head-up display was less impressive.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and had standard features like forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control. The GLE also had Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side for added protection in a crash.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, equipped with the Platinum Package, had a comprehensive list of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The standout feature was the Super Cruise system, which allowed hands-free driving on approved highways. However, it had limitations in certain conditions. The XT6 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA in crash tests.