Comparison 2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Lincoln Aviator

2020 Cadillac XT6  

Starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $61,098 CDN 

Pros 

Adult-sized 3rd-row seating 

Sport trim’s athletic driving characteristics 

Priced less than many competitors 

Cons 

Horsepower on the lower end of the class 

Small cargo space behind 3rd-row seat   

Limited towing capabilities 

2020 Cadillac XT6 Highlights 

With the all-new, 2020 Cadillac XT6, General Motors’ luxury brand has finally plugged the gap between its 2-row XT5 mid-size and its full-size 3-row Escalade SUVs. This all-new vehicle, which is built off the same platform as the GMC Acadia, offers all-wheel-drive and room for up to 7-passengers. The XT6 can be had in either base $61,098 CDN Premium Luxury or the $63,898 CDN Sport trims. Both XT6 trims share the same 3.6-litre 6-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. A 9-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission choice.  

As expected in this segment, the 2020 Cadillac XT6 comes nicely equipped with such amenities as leather seating, heated 8-way-power front seats with 2-way power lumbar support, 8-speaker Bose audio, a heated leather steering wheel and a  panoramic sunroof  The higher Sport trim adds quicker steering, electronically controlled twin clutches on the rear-drive module for torque vectoring, a sport-tuned active-chassis-damping system, and sport calibration on the transmission. The XT6 Sport has a much livelier feel on the road, with sharper turn-in and a tauter suspension than the base trim. 

There’s plenty of Cadillac’s well-established styling inside the new XT6, but it feels a bit generic for a luxury car. All the prerequisite details are here, semi-aniline leather, rich woods and soft-touch materials everywhere. However, compared to the interiors in luxury rivals, like the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, the XT6 doesn’t thrill. On the other hand, comfort is here in abundance, with a roomy 3rd-row seat and numerous must-haves like wireless phone charging, and 2nd-row captain’s chair seating (which reduces seating to 6 passengers). However, cargo space behind the third-row seats is relatively small at only 357 litres. 

2020 Lincoln Aviator  

Starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $69,000 CDN 

Pros 

Powerful turbocharged gas and plug-in hybrid powerplants  

Excellent tow ratings 

Plenty of room for cargo 

Cons 

Driving characteristics lean heavily toward luxury than sport 

High levels of equipment and powerful powertrains means higher prices 

Higher curb weight results in ponderous handling 

2020 Lincoln Aviator Highlights 

The all-new, all-wheel-drive 2020 Lincoln Aviator is smaller than the full-size Navigator but bigger than the mid-size Nautilus SUVs, effectively replacing the outgoing MKT in Lincoln showrooms. Sharing a platform with the Ford Explorer, Aviator pricing starts with the base $69,000 CDN Reserve trim, powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre 6-cylinder engine that makes an impressive 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque.  

The second trim, the $75,083 CDN Grand Touring plug-in hybrid version, adds a 75-kilowatt motor to that turbo V6. The electric motor makes a marked difference in power numbers for a combined 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. When fully charged, there are 34 kilometres of electric-only driving available. Both powertrains use 10-speed automatic transmission.  

Lincoln has stepped up its game as of late in the luxury-cabin department. From the fit and finish, seat comfort, customizable tech, there is little left wanting once you slide into the Aviator's interior. The Aviator is available with comprehensive tech features such as Lincoln's "Phone As A Key" technology, numerous standard safety features, and an optional adaptive suspension that can read the road and make adjustments as you drive. Seats are highly adjustable and comfortable, and there's plenty of room inside the cabin, even for taller passengers. The third row offers room for adult legs, but only when the second row is entirely forward. The cargo room behind the 3rd-row seats is generous at 519 litres. Both trims offer stellar tow ratings: 6,700 pounds for the base V6 and 5,600 pounds for the hybrid. Due to its heavy platform and luxury-tuned handling, this Lincoln SUV doesn't like to be hustled on twisty roads. 

Final Recommendation 

If a lower starting price or sporty driving characteristics are at the top of your 3-row luxury SUV shopping list, the 2020 Cadillac XT6—at least in the higher Sport spec—has lots to offer. And the XT6 provides plenty of "Cadillac" style for a lot less money and more manageable size than the larger and more expensive $89,798 CDN Cadillac Escalade. 

However, from a "get what you pay for" perspective, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator is easy to recommend. In addition to the requisite luxury features found in this segment, the new Lincoln SUV offers more power, higher towing capabilities, a more generous rear cargo room and the availability of a plug-in hybrid powertrain.