GMC Acadia vs Cadillac XT6

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, intended to be nicer than Chevys but not as luxurious as Cadillacs. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia shared powertrains and assembly origins in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The Acadia Denali trim, with its all-wheel drive, Satin Steel Metallic paint, and Technology Package, had a window sticker price of $52,385. The 2020 model featured a redesigned front with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, while the cabin saw minor updates like new electronic transmission shift switches and real open-pore wood trim for Denali models. Despite these changes, the interior still had a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with leather upholstery and wood trim being the primary indicators of its premium status.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with styling cues similar to the XT4 and XT5. Available in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, the XT6 Sport featured darkened accent pieces and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights added to its premium look. The XT6 came in seven paint colors, with most requiring an additional surcharge. Inside, the XT6 mirrored the XT5 but was slightly larger. It offered three color options and the Platinum Package, which elevated the seats to semi-aniline leather upholstery and added a microsuede headliner and premium floor mats. While the seats were luxurious, the dashboard area was less premium but still attractive.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder for lower trims, a 230-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the SLT, and a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6 for the AT4 and Denali variants. All engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) available. The AT4 had a dual-clutch AWD system and all-terrain tires. The V6 engine provided smooth, refined power and up to 4,000 pounds of towing capacity. The test vehicle averaged 20.1 mpg in combined driving. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, making it easy to drive but somewhat forgettable in terms of driving character.

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 base XT6 Luxury model had a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The XT6 Sport was only available with AWD, while the other trims offered FWD and AWD options. The XT6 Sport felt heavy, especially in the mid-rear, affecting its driving dynamics. The XT6's fuel economy was on par with competitors, with the V6 engine achieving 21 mpg combined in FWD models. The Smart Towing package was available on midgrade and higher trims, enhancing towing capabilities.

The 2020 GMC Acadia could seat five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim offering six-passenger seating via second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide, supportive, and perfect for road trips. The second-row captain’s chairs were also comfortable, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet for rear passengers. The third-row seat was roomier than expected but had limited space between the seat and the back of the SUV. Cargo volume was 12.1 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered standard seating for seven, with an option to upgrade to second-row captain’s chairs. The third row could accommodate adults, but the XT6 had less room than some competitors. Interior storage was limited, especially for front-row passengers. The wireless phone charger was not easily accessible while driving. The XT6 excelled in cargo space, with a power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats. The cargo load floor was high, and there was limited space behind the third row, requiring the back row to be folded for larger cargo.

The 2020 GMC Acadia included essential infotainment features like Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen had a higher resolution and improved user experience. The test vehicle had navigation and a Bose premium sound system, with voice-recognition technology that worked well most of the time. New USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror were added for 2020.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 had standard features like tri-zone automatic climate control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, heated/ventilated front seats, and navigation. The infotainment screen was smaller than competitors and could appear crowded or lacking information.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came with standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Standard ADAS included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning. Forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were available on higher trims. The NHTSA gave the Acadia 5-star ratings in most assessments, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had incomplete data but gave high marks in other tests.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 had standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Premium Luxury and Sport models added blind-spot monitoring 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. The IIHS named the 2020 XT6 a "Top Safety Pick+."