Toyota Sienna vs Cadillac XT6

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury model had a refined yet somewhat conventional aesthetic. It arrived outfitted with polished 20-inch alloy wheels, Stellar Black paint, and a Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior. Stepping into the vehicle, it felt sophisticated enough to transport a celebrity to the airport, embodying a polished, business-like vibe. The exterior featured towering front running lights that tapered inward as they descended, which made the XT6 appear taller and narrower than it actually was. The rear design borrowed heavily from GMC, featuring vertical taillights that didn't extend into the liftgate. Despite its proportions and blandly attractive design, the XT6 presented a conservative look that synced well with the rest of Cadillac's lineup.

Apart from the visuals, the XT6 sat at a higher price point compared to its competitors like the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60, reaching a sticker price of $73,565 for a fully-loaded model. Even though it offered a rich material quality and advanced technologies like Super Cruise and Night Vision, the interior fell short in conveying a true luxury feel. Analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen that ran on a somewhat basic software mirrored more accessible GM crossovers, leaving little to distinguish the XT6 from its cheaper siblings within the brand.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to shed its traditional minivan image with a design that echoed a Japanese bullet train. The higher trims like the XSE and Platinum even introduced 20-inch wheels in their FWD variants. Buyers could explore a range of trims from the base LE to the top-tier Platinum, including a new 25th Anniversary Special Edition trim. The XLE trim offered the best value, equipped with standard features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate.

Inside, the Sienna dazzled with high-quality materials, especially in the Platinum trim, which featured brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents. The minivan's design did a great job of marrying functionality with style. It even allowed for either seven or eight passengers, making use of the second-row’s flexibility to provide three-across car seat options and LATCH anchors for child safety seats.

Performance-wise, the 2022 Cadillac XT6 shared its engines with the GMC Acadia. The standard option was a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which underperformed compared to base models of competitors like the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. Upgrading to the Premium Luxury or Sport trim introduced a 3.6-liter V6 engine, offering 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Although powerful enough, the V6 lacked the turbocharged punch seen in competitors.

Our test vehicle came with all-wheel drive and allowed selections between FWD and AWD modes, as well as Tour and Sport modes. Equipped with an adaptive-damping performance suspension and standard 20-inch wheels, the XT6 handled twisty roads adeptly and smoothly managed speed humps. However, the overall driving experience felt more sedate than exciting. The V6 engine was competent but didn’t provide a thrill, and the EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving was average for the segment.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna took a different path, featuring a standard hybrid powertrain across all trims. This system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two front-mounted electric motors and an additional rear-mounted motor on AWD models to deliver a total of 245 horsepower. Although the Sienna's engine felt underpowered and noisier compared to rivals like the Honda Odyssey, its chassis and steering stood out. The minivan’s nimble handling made it surprisingly enjoyable to drive, especially in urban settings where its light steering and tight turning radius excelled.

Various driving modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport offered flexibility, but we found the Normal mode to be the most balanced. Eco mode overly extended the CVT’s simulated gears, and Sport mode didn’t significantly enhance the driving experience. The EV mode, aimed at pure electric driving, was largely ineffective as the gas engine engaged frequently.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6's interior space didn’t live up to its premium billing, feeling unexpectedly cramped given its external dimensions. The front seats offered decent comfort with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, but lacked the extensive adjustments and massage features present in some rivals. The triple-zone automatic climate control system provided ample cooling.

In the second row, our test vehicle featured sliding captain’s chairs that offered reasonable legroom, but the third-row seats were challenging for adults to access and inhabit. The interior storage was just about adequate but fell short of being impressive, with limited storage bins and hard-to-reach spaces under the console.

Cargo capacity also lagged behind competitors. Behind the third-row seats, it offered 12.6 cubic feet of space, expandable to 43.1 cubic feet with the third row folded. A maximum of 78.7 cubic feet could be achieved with both rear seats down.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna, on the other hand, excelled in interior practicality. The minivan's design featured numerous storage solutions, from a spacious cubby below the center console to an extended dash shelf for small items. The interior also boasted multiple bins and an abundance of cupholders.

At over 200 inches long and a 120.5-inch wheelbase, the Sienna made efficient use of space. Unlike typical three-row crossovers, it offered substantial cargo capacity of 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with those seats folded. The maximum cargo space hit 101 cubic feet, though this fell short of other minivans like the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica due to the non-removable middle-row seats.

From a technology standpoint, the 2022 Cadillac XT6 was a mixed bag. It boasted features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision, and the Super Cruise hands-free driving-assistance system. However, it lacked the more advanced digital gauges and head-up display found in competitors. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was paired with a user-friendly software that offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with strong voice recognition capabilities. Yet, several usability concerns persisted, including touch-sensing dashboard controls, counterintuitive button illumination, and hard-to-read steering wheel markings.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sienna relied on an older infotainment interface. Core features remained, such as SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and the standard inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but both required wired connections. The 9-inch touchscreen looked suitably sized in person and included physical buttons for easier interaction, although the interface sometimes proved clunky. Seven USB ports ensured ample connectivity, and the 12-speaker JBL audio system produced clear, satisfactory sound.

Safety was a strong suit for both vehicles. The 2022 Cadillac XT6 test vehicle, loaded with the Platinum Package, featured a comprehensive array of driving-assistance and collision-avoidance systems. Highlights included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and the Super Cruise system, which offered semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The XT6 received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, securing a Top Safety Pick+ designation and five-star crash test ratings.

Similarly, the 2023 Toyota Sienna excelled with its standard suite of advanced safety technologies. These included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and was expected to retain its IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, mirroring the 2022 model.