Jeep Wrangler vs 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 us feel like we 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 look too tall and narrow. The rear taillights were similar to those on GMC models, and the overall design conveyed a conservatively tailored image.

In contrast, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler had a rugged, take-no-prisoners design aesthetic with its brick-like appearance. Available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions, the Wrangler allowed for door removal and offered optional half doors for better visibility. The windshield could fold down, and various top options were available for open-air exploring. The Wrangler's design was simple and functional, with wide fenders, Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and old-school exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 employed the same engines as 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. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available, and our test vehicle had an adaptive-damping performance suspension upgrade. The XT6 was quick enough and isolated from unwanted noise, but it wasn't particularly enjoyable to drive. The official EPA fuel economy rating for the XT6 V6 with AWD was 21 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle returned 19.5 mpg.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a variety of engine options, including a standard V6 with 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, a 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque, and the powerful 6.4-liter V8 in the Rubicon 392 with 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid featured two electric motors and a 17.3 kWh battery pack for 21 miles of all-electric range. Our test vehicle, the Rubicon 392, was a full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) monster that could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, the 392 had flaws in its brakes and steering, which were not upgraded to handle the increased power.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6's interior was narrower than expected, with comfortable power-adjustable seats wrapped in semi-aniline leather. The second-row captain's chairs offered good legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped for adults. 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. Storage space was decent but unremarkable, with small cubbies and bins.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, but rear seat space was tight, especially in the four-door models. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash and tiny glove box and center consoles. The Wrangler offered 72.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece or with the two front panels, and the soft top was fairly easy to remove. The Sky One-Touch power soft top provided a quick and convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler had ample charging points, including USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

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 lacked digital gauges and had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The software was excellent, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, and natural voice recognition technology. Usability issues included touch-sensing buttons, counterintuitive seat ventilation indicators, and illegible steering wheel button markings. The available Bose Performance Series premium audio system sounded great, but the head-up display was small and unimpressive.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running Jeep's Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen. The Uconnect system was initially complicated but intuitive once familiar. It included off-road pages with detailed information, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Wrangler had practical tech features like a forward-facing camera and auxiliary switches for aftermarket lighting but lacked advanced features like a digital key or over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered a comprehensive list of driving-assistance and collision-avoidance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The star feature was the Super Cruise system, which allowed hands-free highway driving. However, Super Cruise had limitations and required the driver to be ready to take control at any time. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler had limited standard safety features, including a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Advanced features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard only on the top 392 model and optional on other trims. The Wrangler received mixed ratings from the IIHS and a four-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA, with a three-star rollover rating.