2022 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the fake toughness of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4's design was part of VW's EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. Despite its SUV-like styling, the ID.4 didn't quite look like an SUV, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric. Inside, the ID.4 blended Volkswagen's minimalism with a tech-focused aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while higher trims offered leatherette upholstery.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, on the other hand, presented a more conservative and tailored image. Our test vehicle, a Premium Luxury trim, featured polished 20-inch alloy wheels, Stellar Black paint, and a Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior. The XT6's design was attractive but bland, with towering front running lights and simple vertical taillights. Cadillac offered the XT6 in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, with prices starting just under $50,000. Our test vehicle, loaded with options like Super Cruise and Night Vision technologies, had an MSRP of $73,565. Despite its rich interior materials, the XT6's controls and displays felt more akin to those in lower-priced GM crossovers, lacking the sophistication expected in a luxury SUV.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It was the first rear-wheel-drive Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, while the AWD version offered added traction and power. However, the ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, with noticeable body roll in corners but a smooth ride over bumps. Unlike many EVs, the ID.4 did not offer aggressive regenerative braking for one-pedal driving, relying more on friction brakes.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 employed engines shared with 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 higher trims used a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and AWD was available. Our test vehicle, equipped with the V6 and AWD, offered Tour and Sport driving modes. The V6 provided sufficient power, and the XT6's adaptive-damping performance suspension and 20-inch wheels delivered a comfortable ride. However, the XT6's driving dynamics leaned towards serenity rather than excitement, with smooth steering and responsive brakes. The XT6 V6 with AWD had an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg combined, but our test vehicle returned 19.5 mpg.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than competitor EVs, though legroom was average. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded, more than some EV rivals but less than gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, but its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility. However, rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, freeing up space on the center console, though storage space was limited. Heated steering wheel and front seats were standard, providing efficient cabin heating.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, despite its three-row configuration, felt narrower inside than expected. The front seats were comfortable and wrapped in semi-aniline leather, with heating and ventilation but no massage function. The second-row captain's chairs offered good legroom when slid back, but the third-row seat was cramped for adults. Storage space was decent but unremarkable, with small bins and cubbies. The XT6 provided 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the seats folded and a maximum of 78.7 cubic feet. The interior layout and storage solutions were less spacious than those in the Buick Enclave.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (optional 12-inch) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch display screen for the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads for controls. While visually appealing, the touchpads were difficult to use without tactile feedback. The ID.4 also featured a natural-language voice-control system and ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. Despite some gimmicky features, the ID.4's touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered impressive features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free 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 the software was excellent, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, and natural voice recognition. Usability issues included touch-sensing buttons, counterintuitive seat ventilation indicators, and hard-to-read steering wheel buttons. The XT6's Bose Performance Series audio system sounded great, but the head-up display was small and less impressive than those in other GM vehicles.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New for 2021 were Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering, and Emergency Assist, which brought the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding to acceleration and deceleration.

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 Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving-assist system. While impressive, Super Cruise had limitations, such as difficulty with inconsistent lane markings and heavy traffic. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all crash-test evaluations, plus a four-star rollover resistance rating.