2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the luxury SUV market, had the advantage of a fresh design approach, unburdened by a long legacy. This allowed Genesis to innovate and establish a signature look, characterized by a massive trapezoidal grille, Quad Lamp LED headlights, and elegant two-box design. The GV80's exterior was marked by its long hood, short front overhang, and large wheel arches, which housed 19-inch to 22-inch wheels. Inside, the GV80 offered a sleek, uncluttered dashboard with a 14.5-inch widescreen display, real wood, metal, and leather materials, and a rotary gear selector, creating a luxurious and modern interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Cadillac XT6 drew from Cadillac's established design language, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5. The XT6 Sport trim featured darkened accents and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, giving it a premium appearance. The XT6 offered seven paint colors, with most requiring an additional surcharge. Inside, the XT6's cabin was similar to the XT5, with three color options and the option for semi-aniline leather upholstery with the Platinum Package. While the seats were comfortable, the dashboard and some interior elements felt less premium compared to competitors.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The GV80 featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The 3.5T models came with advanced suspension systems and active noise cancellation, providing a smoother and quieter ride. Fuel economy for the GV80 ranged from 18 to 25 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The XT6 offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on Luxury and Premium Luxury trims, and standard on the Sport model. The XT6's driving dynamics were hindered by its weight distribution, affecting its agility. Fuel economy for the XT6 ranged from 19 to 27 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with advanced technology and ergonomic design. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and a multimedia controller with dual control capability. The GV80 offered comfortable second-row seating with available power adjustments and luxury features like power window shades and climate control. A third row was available on select models, increasing passenger capacity to seven.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 provided seating for seven, with the option to upgrade to captain's chairs in the second row. While the third row could accommodate adults, the XT6 offered less space compared to some competitors. The interior storage was limited, and the wireless phone charger was not easily accessible. However, the XT6 excelled in cargo space, with power-folding third-row seats and a power liftgate.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 boasted a 14.5-inch HD infotainment system with user-configurable displays, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered cloud connectivity, over-the-air updates, and NFC digital key functionality for Android users. The GV80 included Genesis Connected Services, a head-up display, and a premium Lexicon audio system with 21 speakers.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The XT6 offered tri-zone climate control, a WiFi hotspot, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system, with options to upgrade to a 14-speaker system and additional features like navigation and wireless charging.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including 10 airbags, adaptive cruise control with machine learning, and various collision-avoidance systems. While it had not yet been rated by safety organizations, Genesis aimed for top safety ratings.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Additional safety packages offered features like adaptive cruise control and enhanced emergency braking. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by IIHS.