2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2022 Cadillac XT6

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. It exuded a sense of sophistication, making one feel as if they should be dressed in formal attire, ready to chauffeur someone important. The XT6's design was attractive but somewhat bland, with towering front running lights that made it appear too tall and narrow. The rear taillights were reminiscent of GMC's design, and the overall look was conservatively tailored, fitting well within Cadillac's lineup.

Cadillac offered the XT6 in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, with prices starting just under $50,000. It was priced slightly higher than the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60 but lower than the Lexus RX L and Lincoln Aviator. With options, the price could rise quickly, as seen in the test vehicle, which included Super Cruise and Night Vision technologies, bringing the MSRP to $73,565. Despite the high price, it was competitive with similarly equipped Volvo XC90 and Audi Q7 models.

The interior, while lined with rich materials, didn't quite match the luxury expected at this price point. The analog gauges and 8-inch touchscreen display felt outdated compared to competitors. The tech was simple and intuitive, but it lacked the wow factor found in larger Cadillac models like the Escalade. The XT6's interior felt narrow, a reminder of its relationship to the GMC Acadia rather than the more spacious Buick Enclave.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 featured subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design. The new wheel designs and colors, along with a rear VW logo that lit up, added to its modern look. While it was easily distinguishable as an EV, it didn't have the traditional SUV profile, lacking the upright stance and ground clearance that many buyers found appealing.

The ID.4 was based on VW's MEB platform, designed specifically for EVs, and shared qualities with VW's gasoline models. The interior boasted a minimalist design with a feeling of quality, even in the base ID.4 Standard model. Leatherette upholstery with recycled fibers was standard, and the overall design carried over the best qualities from recent VW interiors.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 employed engines found in the GMC Acadia. The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which was less than the base versions of the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, still less powerful than the upgrade powertrains in the Audi and Volvo.

All-wheel drive (AWD) was available with both engines. The test vehicle had AWD and offered Tour and Sport driving modes. The V6 engine was powerful enough, and the adaptive-damping performance suspension provided a smooth ride. However, the XT6 wasn't particularly enjoyable to drive, leaning more towards serenity than excitement. The official EPA fuel economy rating for the XT6 V6 with AWD was 21 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle returning 19.5 mpg.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base Standard and S models, with the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus getting the carryover 82-kWh pack. The single-motor RWD models were rated at 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain upped the output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, allowing for zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4 with AWD had impressive acceleration but lacked the handling of hot hatchbacks like the VW Golf GTI. The regenerative braking system allowed for energy recovery while decelerating, but VW didn't pursue one-pedal driving, providing a more familiar experience for first-time EV drivers.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6's interior felt narrower than expected, with power-adjustable seats that were comfortable but lacked the range of adjustment and massage functions found in some rivals. The second-row captain's chairs offered good legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. 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 volume of 78.7 cubic feet.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more interior space than other affordable EVs, with more front-seat and rear-seat legroom than the Chevrolet Bolt EV or Nissan Leaf. It had 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. The ID.4 also had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. VW made small changes to the interior for 2023, including a conventional lid for the center console and a better spot for a phone.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 featured impressive technologies 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 the usability issues with touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive controls detracted from the experience.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 came standard with a 12.0-inch touchscreen, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard. The ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster was also standard. The haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were distracting, but the natural-language voice recognition made it easier to use.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The star feature was the Super Cruise system, which allowed for hands-free highway driving. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover crash tests. The 2022 model received the IIHS' Top Safety Pick+ rating, and the 2023 model was expected to perform similarly. The ID.4 came with standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0.