2021 Cadillac XT6 vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 exuded sophistication with its design, sharing styling cues with the XT4 and XT5 crossovers. The XT6 Sport model, in particular, featured a traditionally styled grille with darkened accents, enhancing its premium appearance. The vehicle's sharp lines and slim all-LED headlights contributed to its upscale look. Inside, the XT6's interior mirrored the XT5's design but offered more space. The cabin came in four colour options, with the Platinum Package elevating the luxury with semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microsuede headliner. While the seats were a highlight, the dashboard area, though less premium, was still attractive.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more conservative design approach, reflecting Buick's transition from sedans to SUVs. The Enclave's 2022 refresh included exterior enhancements like a new grille and updated fascias. Inside, the Enclave featured a restyled centre console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats and unique trim. The Enclave's cabin was spacious, with ample room for passengers in all three rows. The Avenir trim added exclusive seat patterns and piping, enhancing the interior's visual appeal. Overall, the Enclave's design was comfortable and functional, appealing to those seeking a refined yet understated look.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport was equipped with a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine was also standard in the Premium Luxury trim, while the base Luxury model featured a 2.0L turbo-four engine with 237 horsepower. The XT6's V6 engine provided sufficient power, and the nine-speed transmission shifted smoothly. However, the XT6's driving dynamics were hindered by its weight, particularly in the mid-rear due to the AWD mechanics, affecting its agility. Despite this, the XT6's fuel economy was competitive, with the V6 engine consuming 13.1 L/100 km in the city and 9.5 on the highway.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave's AWD system was standard in Canada, and it boasted a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Enclave's ride was smooth and quiet, thanks to its premium ride suspension and QuietTuning technology. The powertrain was responsive, providing good acceleration despite the vehicle's size. The Enclave's handling was impressive, and its cabin remained serene, even at high speeds. While not designed for off-roading, the Enclave's AWD and ground clearance made it capable of handling light trails and winter conditions.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 offered seating for seven, with the option for captain's chairs in the second row. While adults could fit in the third row, the XT6 had less interior space compared to 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 high cargo load floor. The hands-free power liftgate and remote-folding second-row seats added convenience.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided easy ingress and egress, with excellent visibility. The cabin was spacious, accommodating six adults comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, and the restyled centre console featured push-button transmission gears. The Enclave offered ample cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,758 litres with all seats folded. The power-folding third-row seats added convenience, making it easy to access the cargo area.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard features included tri-zone climate control, a WiFi hotspot, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. Buyers could upgrade to a 14-speaker Bose system, navigation, and heated/ventilated seats. While the tech was adequate, the infotainment screen was smaller than competitors.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system supported up to 10 devices, with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment interface was user-friendly, though some graphics appeared dated. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator and Teen Driver technology, with additional features available on higher trims.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, and lane-keep assist. The Premium Luxury and Sport models added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The XT6 received a five-star frontal crash test rating from the NHTSA and was named a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, including automatic emergency braking, lane-change alert, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.