Cadillac XT6 vs. Audi Q7 Comparison

In the battle of 3-row crossovers, does the 2021 Cadillac XT6 have what it takes to defeat the luxurious 2021 Audi Q7?

2021 Cadillac XT6

2021 Cadillac XT6 Starting Price: $48,990 | Price Yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Full-size third row; smooth ride; price undercuts foreign competitors; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Below Average: No hybrid option; less power than competitors; 4,000-pound max towing; could use more cargo space; luxury interior can feel generic.

Consensus: New for last year, the 2021 Cadillac XT6 is a 3-row luxury SUV that falls between Cadillac’s 2-row XT5 and the gargantuan Escalade. Now offered with a turbocharged 4-cylinder as well as a 3.6-liter V6, the XT6 offers all the luxury and style you would expect from a Cadillac.

2021 Audi Q7

2021 Audi Q7 Starting Price: $55,945 | Price Yours or View listings near you

Above Average: Beautiful interior; 7,000-pound maximum tow rating; beastly 500-hp SQ7 variant.

Below Average: Tight quarters in the third row; starts expensive, gets more expensive with options; cargo capacity.

Consensus: The 2021 Audi Q7 continues to provide luxury, handling, and a beautiful interior in a premium three-row SUV. Options can get very expensive, however, particularly for the furious SQ7, and the third row is best for small children only.

XT6 vs. Q7: Rolling in Style

Cadillac XT6

A luxury crossover with three rows of legitimate adult seating, the 2021 Cadillac XT6 slots between the smaller XT5 and the larger Escalade. Brand new for 2020, the XT6’s most significant change for 2021 is the base engine changing from a V6 to a turbocharged 4-cylinder, although there is a 3.6-liter V6 upgrade. The 2021 XT6 comes with everything one would expect from Cadillac, including comfortable seats, a large touchscreen infotainment system, and things like leather and nice woods.

There are also a few different driving modes, models ranging from the more sporty and sharp Sport model to the Luxury and Premium Luxury models, and either front- or all-wheel drive. While we like the interior and the details, in some ways it feels a bit generic, without some of the premium touches offered by European competitors. And with the base engine offering only 237 horsepower to pull six adults, it’s a bit down on power as well.

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 has always been a stylish, luxurious, and impressive 3-row SUV, and for 2021 it only continues to get better. We love its exterior styling, refined yet sporty, and there’s no mistaking that interior, with a perfect mix of elegance and practicality. The base 2.0-liter turbo is perfectly adequate around town unless the Q7 is fully laden with cargo and passengers, with the 3.0-liter turbo V6 being our engine of choice. The 500-hp SQ7 is in a class by itself, but with a price tag starting in the $80,000 range.

Surprisingly for a 3-row 5,000-pound SUV, the 2021 Audi Q7 is extremely refined on the road. The steering feels great and the handling confident. Inside it is equipped with all the expected amenities, including a  base 10.1-inch screen with an 8.6-inch display beneath it. The Q7 is also loaded with driver-assist and safety features. It does come at a premium and compared with some of its competitors, cargo space is a little tight, although properly equipped, the Q7 has a 7,000-pound tow rating.

Similarities

Base engine; three-row, 7-passenger capacity; overall length; wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Cadillac XT6 Advantages

Full seating in all three rows; significantly lower starting price; cargo space.

Audi Q7 Advantages

Higher maximum towing capacity; more power; more luxurious.

Final Recommendation

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 and the 2021 Audi Q7 are both very nice luxury SUVs, with plenty to recommend them. But there’s no getting around that price differential, with the Audi starting nearly $7,000 higher and only increasing from there. But if you’re able to part with that extra scratch, the Q7 is the way to go here. It’s just more special all around, with a premium luxury feel and driving manners that the Caddy can’t quite match.