2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its familiar design cues aligned with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers, sitting just below it in Cadillac’s lineup. The XT6 was available in three trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Sport model, with its traditionally-styled grille accented by darkened pieces around the bumper and hood lip, stood out. Its 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with Android Satin finish pockets contributed to its premium appearance. The sharp lines, slim all-LED headlights, and overall aesthetic were decidedly Cadillac. Buyers could choose from seven paint colors, although most came with an additional cost. The interior mirrored that of the XT5 but larger, featuring Jet Black, Cirrus (light grey), or Maple Sugar color options. The seats, especially when opted with the $3,700 Platinum Package, which included semi-aniline leather and microsuede headliners, were luxurious. However, the dashboard area lacked a similarly premium feel, with some cheaper-looking stitching and buttons.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460, on the other hand, had an exterior design that dated back nearly a decade, with updates trickling in over the years. The 2020 update saw a refreshed spindle grille and new triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model maintained this design, with silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim. Despite its older design, the GX’s aggressive, tough look and massive grille kept it distinctive. The interior, while spacious and equipped with standard leather upholstery, lacked the opulence one expects from a modern luxury SUV. Wood trim seemed more like molded plastic, and actual plastic was prevalent. The ergonomic design, such as the steering angle and seating position, felt outdated and resembled a bus driving experience. While outward visibility was excellent, the lack of modern touches was apparent.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This V6 was also standard in the Premium Luxury trim, while the Luxury model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four delivering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The V6 provided ease of movement, and the nine-speed transmission was smooth. However, the XT6 Sport’s weight (4,690 pounds) compromised its driving dynamics, making it less agile than competitors. Fuel economy for the entry-level turbo-four was 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined in AWD models, while the V6 achieved 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined in FWD, dropping slightly with AWD.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460, powered by a 4.6-liter V8 producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, felt like a relic. Despite its V8 grunt, the GX’s 5,130-pound weight required careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality, while reminiscent of old-school body-on-frame SUVs, felt rough and body roll was significant in corners. However, its off-road capabilities were stellar, with a standard 4WD system, Torsen center differential, and available off-road package features like multi-terrain select and crawl control. Yet, compared to the XT6’s drivability, the GX felt outmoded for on-road use, with a max towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

Inside, the Cadillac XT6 had comfortable seats that could be heated in the first two rows. However, other premium SUVs, such as the Acura MDX, boasted more plush seats. The XT6 could seat seven, with an option to upgrade the second row to captain’s chairs. Adults could fit in the third row, a feature not common to older midsize SUVs. Nevertheless, the XT6 lagged behind competitors like the Telluride, Ascent, and Palisade in head, leg, shoulder, and hip room across all rows. Interior storage was subpar, particularly for front-row occupants. Yet, the XT6 excelled in rear cargo space, offering more overall room than many competitors with power-folding third-row seats and a load floor typical of its class.

In contrast, the Lexus GX’s interior reflected its age with upright dashboards and limited legroom. The tall seating position resembled bus driving, with a new heated wood-trimmed steering wheel for 2021, although the heating elements didn’t cover the entire wheel. Visibility was good except forward due to the tall hood. The center-console storage, cupholders, and door bottle holders were small across all rows. The GX also featured buttons and knobs for controls, a plus over the touchscreen reliance in many luxury vehicles. However, its third-row access was cumbersome, and the third row itself was best for children. With both rows down, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, significantly less than competitors like the Land Rover Discovery’s 73.0 cubic feet.

The Cadillac XT6, while not cutting edge, had adequate tech for its segment. It featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with user profiles, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Optional upgrades included a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, and enhanced wireless charging. However, the screen’s small size was a drawback.

Conversely, the Lexus GX, being a decade-old design, was technologically sparse. It included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available. The standard touchscreen’s graphics appeared outdated, and the benefits included analog controls for various functions, which, while primitive, offered ease over touchscreens dominating other luxury SUVs.

The Cadillac XT6 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features: automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, following-distance indicator, lane-keep assist, a high-definition rearview camera, Safety Alert Seat, and IntelliBeam headlights with rear park assist. Premium Luxury and Sport models added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the lane-keep assist was inconsistent. Optional packages included adaptive cruise control and night vision technology. The XT6 had a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, while the IIHS named it a "Top Safety Pick+."

The Lexus GX 460, though rich with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, lacked some of the advanced safety features found in newer competitors. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, along with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it missed features like traffic-sign recognition and lane-centering found in other Lexus models. Neither the NHTSA nor IIHS provided crash-test ratings for the 2021 GX.