Subaru Ascent vs Cadillac XT6

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 presented itself with a polished and sophisticated exterior, featuring 20-inch alloy wheels and a sleek Stellar Black paint job. Inside, the Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior exuded a sense of luxury, though it felt more akin to a well-dressed executive vehicle than a standout luxury SUV. The XT6's design was conservative, with towering front running lights and taillights reminiscent of GMC's style, which contributed to its tall and narrow appearance. Despite its premium materials and advanced technologies, the interior design lacked the distinctiveness expected in a luxury SUV, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen that felt outdated compared to its competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Ascent, particularly in the new Onyx Edition, embraced the trend of blacked-out exterior trim, giving it a sporty and modern look. The Onyx Edition featured black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille, and water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats. The interior, with its gray two-tone scheme and metallic trim, set a contemporary mood, though the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat. The Ascent's design was practical, with wide rear doors and ample storage, making it a family-friendly choice. However, the interior's comfort was more suited for children in the third row, and the lack of ventilated seats in the Onyx Edition was a drawback.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered two engine options, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine powered the XT6 Luxury's front wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission, but it fell short compared to the base engines of competitors like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, providing sufficient power but lacking the turbocharged punch of its rivals. The XT6's driving dynamics leaned towards comfort and serenity, with an adaptive-damping performance suspension and available all-wheel drive. However, it wasn't particularly engaging to drive, and the fuel economy was modest, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined for the V6 AWD model.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, the Ascent offered brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The CVT featured eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, enhancing the driving experience. The Ascent's off-road capabilities were bolstered by Subaru's X-Mode traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. While the Ascent demonstrated agility and competence on various road surfaces, its adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement, leading to an uncertain driving experience. The Ascent achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 22 mpg combined, with our testing averaging 20.5 mpg.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6's interior space was somewhat limited, with a tall and narrow design that affected the driving position. The power-adjustable front seats were comfortable, especially with the Platinum option package's semi-aniline leather, but lacked the range of adjustment and massage functions found in some competitors. The second-row captain's chairs provided decent legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped for adults. Cargo space was modest, with 12.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 78.7 cubic feet.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent offered seating for up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent's interior was practical, with a comfortable driving position and features like triple-zone climate control and heated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs were easy to access, and the available panoramic sunroof added a sense of openness. The Ascent excelled in storage, with a useful dashboard shelf and ample cupholders. Cargo capacity was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the second row folded, and a maximum of 86.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 featured a mix of advanced and outdated technologies. While it offered impressive features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free driving-assistance system, it lacked digital gauges and had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The software was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the use of gloss-black, touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive controls detracted from the experience. The available Bose Performance Series audio system delivered excellent sound quality, but the head-up display was small and unimpressive.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent's base trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even a CD player. The Premium trim upgraded to an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. While the system was user-friendly, the voice recognition technology needed improvement, requiring specific commands for accurate responses. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, which lacked sonic quality, and the Harman Kardon premium sound system was not available for this trim. Additional technology features, such as a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera, were reserved for the Touring trim.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 boasted a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The standout feature was the Super Cruise system, which allowed for hands-free highway driving on approved roads. However, it had limitations, such as inconsistent lane-keeping and abrupt braking. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, ensuring excellent crash protection.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assistance technology, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. However, EyeSight struggled in direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering-responsive LED headlights and available blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.