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It’s a game of luxury, power, and technology in this 2023 Lincoln Aviator vs. Cadillac XT6 comparison that pits Detroit rivals against one another.
Luxury Midsized SUVs Go Head-to-Head
Both SUVs in this Lincoln Aviator vs. Cadillac XT6 matchup are perhaps less well-known than their respective big brethren – Navigator and Escalade, respectively – but that doesn’t make them any less appealing. For those in the market for a luxurious living room on wheels, these 3-row SUVs are the perfect option. Plus, they won’t make you sweat while maneuvering tight parking like their aforementioned stablemates.
The Caddy was introduced in 2020, which is when the second-gen Aviator arrived. They both sit firmly in the midsize luxury crossover segment and appear to line up closely on paper. However, a closer look reveals major differences between these Detroit rivals that add up to a clear winner as we discuss below.
Specs
Dimensionally, the Aviator and XT6 are within a whisker of one another though the Lincoln has a 6-inch wider wheelbase that creates a lower-slung look. Under the hood is where things really diverge, however. Lincoln fits base Aviators with a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 rated for 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. An optional plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant adds batteries and an electric motor to this powertrain for 494 hp and 630 torques. No matter which one you choose, a 10-speed automatic spins the rear, or all four, wheels.
In this context, the XT6 is way off the mark. Base models run on a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 making 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of twist. Higher spec trims get a naturally aspirated 3.2L V6 that puts out 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. When you’re pushing around two-plus tons of metal and playing in this luxurious sandbox, effortless power is assumed, and the Caddy falls short.
Conversely, both of these big SUVs usually not impressing anyone with fuel efficiency. The most efficient Aviator is the PHEV model that rings in at 19/27 mpg in city/highway driving. It also has the ability to drive about 20 miles on electricity alone. An FWD XT6 with the small motor edges the Aviator with its 21/27 mpg rating in city/highway driving. Across the board, adding AWD and more potent motors reduces these figures by 1-2 mpg.
Driving and Performance
As noted above, both of these SUVs tip the scales at well past 4,000 pounds, so canyon carvers they are not. Which makes sense as the target demographic is expecting a cushy, quiet ride, and on that front, the Aviator and XT6 deliver. Fully independent suspension is standard regardless of which brand you choose.
For added ride comfort, Caddy offers adaptive dampers and for a crisper vibe, the Sport model comes with a sport-tuned suspension, twin-clutch rear torque vectoring system, and Brembo brakes up front. But as with the powertrain, Lincoln one-ups Cadillac by adding a road-scanning camera to the dynamic dampers for improved control over rough surfaces and by offering a four-corner air suspension.
The scales tip further in the Aviator’s favor when it comes to towing. With the V6 and optional trailering package that adds a Hitch View feature, the Cadillac XT6 can haul up to 4,000 pounds. That’s a useful capacity but the Aviator can handle 5,600 pounds in PHEV format and an impressive 6,7000 pounds with the standard powertrain.
Comfort and Interior
Both options in this Lincoln Aviator vs. Cadillac XT6 matchup seat seven occupants with the option for six when fitted with second-row captain’s chairs. They’re also identically sized in the legroom department at 39 inches for the middle row and 29 inches for the rear seats. Cargo space maxes out at 79 cubic feet in the Aviator and 78 in the XT6, but the Lincoln has quite a bit more space behind the third with 18 cubes to the Caddy’s 13.
Material choices are elegant in both SUVs including real wood inlays, engine-turned aluminum accents on the Aviator, and an available leather-wrapped instrument panel on the Cadillac. Be sure to consult our leather care article to keep that dash in prime condition. While both options also offer climatized leather front seats and heated rears, only the Aviator can be had with massaging front thrones and a power-folding third-row bench.
Apple CarPlay and Android are lineup-standard across the board, though Cadillac offers the convenience of wireless integration. Every XT6 comes with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and available 8-inch gauge cluster screen, while the Aviator boasts a 10-inch central display and fully digital gauge cluster on all models. And for those who like to bump their beats, Aviator options range from the base 10-speaker stereo system to an epic 28-component setup from Revel that has twice the number of speakers as the Bose system on top-spec XT6s.
Trims and Features
2023 Cadillac XT6 pricing ranges from the $50,000 Luxury model to a $56,000 Premium Luxury trim and top-spec Sport variant for $61,000. 18-inch wheels, a panoramic roof, and LED headlamps are all standard as is forward collision mitigation, a lane-keeping system, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. GM’s Safety Alert Seat is also on hand and unique to this comparison.
Moving up to the XT6 Premium Luxury brings a hands-free liftgate, 20-inch rims, a digital rearview mirror, wireless charging, and built-in navigation. The Sport model is essentially a Premium Luxury XT6 with a tighter suspension and black exterior accents. These top two trim lines offer a Platinum package that requires selecting the Technology and Driver Assist package, which translates to nearly $10,000 in extras. For that outlay, buyers gain a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, automatic parking, semi-aniline leather upholstery, and more.
Over at Lincoln, the trim lineup is longer and more expensive. Base models start at $55,000 and include 19-inch wheels, triple-zone automatic climate control, and the same driver aids as the entry-level XT6. For about $60,000, the Reserve model adds the same content as the XT6 Premium Luxury model along with four zones of HVAC control, and the option for a rear entertainment system, adaptive headlights, and 30-way adjustable front seats with massaging cushions.
The $71,000 Grand Touring runs on PHEV power along with 21-inch wheels and an adaptive suspension. For nearly $83,000, Black Label Aviators boast soft-close doors, huge rims, exclusive interior design schemes, Evasive Steering Assist, Phone as a Key, and the Revel Ultima 28-speaker stereo that includes headliner components. The Black Label Grand Touring comes in at a staggering $91,000; money that nets the PHEV powertrain, Air Glide suspension, and then some as we detail in this 2023 Aviator review.
The Verdict
Both SUVs in this Lincoln Aviator vs. Cadillac XT6 matchup offer similar levels of content in the $50,000 to $60,000 price range. However, the Aviator delivers that content with a far more potent base powertrain and a hybrid option. You’ll pay for the higher-end Grand Touring and Black Label Lincolns, but they come with features and amenities that are not found on any XT6 model plus the Aviator handily wins the screen-size competition. For those reasons, the Lincoln Aviator walks away from the Cadillac XT6 to take the podium in this comparison. And if you’d like to save some money, consider the used 2020 Aviator that we look at here.
