Audi Q7 vs Cadillac XT6

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 was also new for 2020. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, was available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The test vehicle, a Prestige trim, featured Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, totaling $74,290. Design updates included new front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, enhancing the Q7’s appearance. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash natural wood inlays, was both upscale and high-tech, with multi-color ambient lighting adding a soothing vibe at night.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 looked sophisticated, featuring styling cues similar to the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, the XT6 Sport had darkened accent pieces and new 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with Android Satin finish pockets. The XT6 came in seven paint colors, with most requiring a surcharge. The interior, nearly identical to the XT5 but slightly larger, offered three color options: Jet Black, Cirrus, and Maple Sugar. The seats, especially with the available Platinum Package, were luxurious, featuring semi-aniline leather upholstery, a microsuede headliner, and premium floor mats. However, some dashboard elements appeared less premium. The steering wheel and console surfaces felt good, but some stitching, buttons, and cubby designs looked cheaper.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to conserve fuel. The engine, combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive, accelerated the 5,082-pound SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The Q7 had a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds and an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined, though it averaged 21 mpg on a road trip. The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, adjustable via Audi Drive Select, which offered several driving modes. The Q7 excelled in both off-road and on-road conditions, providing speedy acceleration and a quiet cabin, thanks to dual-pane acoustic side window glass.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The XT6 Sport, available only with AWD, felt heavy at 4,690 pounds, affecting its driving dynamics. The V6 engine provided smooth acceleration, but the weight distribution made the XT6 less dynamic compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. The XT6’s fuel economy was on par with its rivals, with the V6 AWD model achieving 18 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. The Smart Towing package, available on midgrade and higher trims, included hitch guidance and a hitch cover.

The 2020 Audi Q7, though a seven-passenger vehicle, was best used as a five-passenger SUV. The third-row seat was suitable only for young children, and using it reduced cargo space significantly. With the third row folded, cargo capacity increased from 14.2 cubic feet to 35.7 cubic feet, and with both rows folded, it reached 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7’s front and second-row seats were comfortable, with the Prestige trim offering heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear cushions. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and dashboard screen taking up most of the space.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven, with an option to upgrade to captain’s chairs in the second row for $800. Adults could fit in the third row, but the XT6 had less room than competitors like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Interior storage was not ideal, especially for front-row riders, with limited space for small items. The rear cargo space was a highlight, with more overall cargo space than many competitors. The XT6 featured a standard power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats, with an option for remote-folding second-row seats.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced the MMI Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect services. While the system was generally intuitive, dry fingertips sometimes made the virtual buttons unresponsive. The Prestige trim included a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, though Audi replaced it with a Bang & Olufsen system for 2021.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with user profiles, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, and Teen Driver monitoring. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. The infotainment screen was smaller than competitors, sometimes appearing crowded or lacking information.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, rated "poor" by the IIHS due to excessive glare. The Q7 included numerous advanced driving-assistance systems, with upgrades available in the Executive Package or Prestige trim. Highlights included Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. However, the traffic-sign-recognition technology and Active Lane Assist had issues, making them less reliable. The Q7 received the highest IIHS ratings, except for the headlight assessment.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Premium Luxury and Sport trims added lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. The Driver Assist Package included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover crash test rating from the NHTSA, and the IIHS named it a "Top Safety Pick+."