Lincoln Nautilus vs Cadillac XT6

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 presented itself with a polished exterior and a luxurious interior, featuring 20-inch alloy wheels and a Jet Black semi-aniline leather interior. Its design was conservative, with towering front running lights and taillights reminiscent of GMC models, giving it a tall and narrow appearance. Despite its premium materials and sophisticated driving assistance technology, the interior felt more akin to a standard GM crossover, lacking the digital instrumentation expected in a luxury SUV. The XT6's pricing was competitive, but its interior did not reflect the luxury expected at its price point.

In contrast, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, especially in the Black Label trim, offered an attractive and character-filled design with 21-inch machined-finish wheels. The interior was inviting, with premium leather upholstery and ambient lighting, creating a warm and quiet environment. The Black Label trim included nearly every available feature, though some elements like the center console design appeared less luxurious. The Nautilus was priced starting at $44,225, with the Black Label model beginning at $66,825, offering a range of options for different budgets.

The Cadillac XT6 came with two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower. The V6, available in Premium Luxury and Sport trims, provided sufficient power but lacked the turbocharged boost found in competitors. The XT6 offered all-wheel drive and various driving modes, with an adaptive-damping performance suspension enhancing its athleticism. However, the driving experience leaned more towards comfort than excitement, with a fuel economy of 19.5 mpg in combined driving.

The Lincoln Nautilus offered a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and a twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower in the Black Label trim. The V6 required all-wheel drive and provided a smooth and comfortable ride, with driving modes adjusting powertrain behavior and suspension. The Nautilus excelled in long-distance comfort, averaging 25 mpg on a road trip, and offered a quiet and enjoyable driving experience, though the steering lacked engagement.

Inside the Cadillac XT6, the interior space was less than expected for a three-row SUV, with comfortable front seats but limited third-row space. The XT6 offered 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 78.7 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage solutions were adequate but not exceptional, with some areas difficult to access.

The Lincoln Nautilus provided a luxurious interior with high-quality materials and comfortable seating, especially with the optional 22-way power front seats. Rear seating was less spacious, with limited legroom for a midsize SUV. The Nautilus offered 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 68.8 cubic feet with seats folded. Storage was practical but not overly generous, with some areas hard to access.

The Cadillac XT6 featured a mix of advanced and outdated technology, with highlights like a digital rearview mirror and Super Cruise hands-free driving system. However, it lacked digital gauges and had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was smaller than competitors. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but some controls were counterintuitive, and the head-up display was less impressive.

The Lincoln Nautilus boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 4 software. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 19-speaker Revel audio system. The system was user-friendly, with physical controls for stereo and climate settings, and offered features like Phone as a Key for convenience.

The Cadillac XT6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and the Super Cruise system. It received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, though Super Cruise had limitations in certain conditions.

The Lincoln Nautilus included Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0, with features like forward-collision warning and blind-spot monitoring. The Black Label trim added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The Nautilus earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though it had not been assessed by IIHS.