If you are in the market for a mid-size crossover with three rows of seating, then you came to the right place. Going head-to-head in a battle for supremacy is the 2020 Cadillac XT6 vs 2020 Kia Telluride. Both vehicles are upscale, spacious, and perfect for families. Let’s dive in deeper to take a closer look at these two strong competitors.
Seating and Cargo Room
While both vehicles offer seating for seven people across three rows, the difference can be seen in the cargo area. The 2020 Cadillac XT6 offers 12.6 cubic feet of storage room behind the back row. Folding down the last row will open the area up to 43.1 cubic feet. If that still isn’t enough, you can expand the area further by laying the second and third rows down. This gives you access to 78.7 cubic feet of room. Meanwhile, the 2020 Kia Telluride offers 21 cubic feet of space behind the back row. Folding down the third row will give you 46 cubic feet, and folding down both back rows will provide you with 87 cubic feet.
The Takeaway: Both vehicles have the same seating capacity, but the Kia Telluride has a bit more cargo room.
Power and Efficiency
Sometimes, SUVs will be available with more than one powertrain. However, both of these models come with only one standard powertrain. Since they are both mid-size SUVs, it works out just fine.
The new Cadillac XT6 is powered by a robust 3.6-liter V6 engine that generates 310 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission and FWD (AWD is optional), it has an estimated fuel economy set at 20 MPG combined (18 city/25 highway). It can also tow about 1,000 pounds.
Under the hood of the Kia Telluride, you will find a 3.8-liter V6 engine that pushes out 291 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission and FWD (AWD is optional), this crossover gets about 23 MPG combined (20 city/26 highway). It is also capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds.
The Takeaway: The Cadillac XT6 offers more power and a smoother driving experience, while the Kia Telluride gets slightly better gas mileage and can tow more weight.
Base Trim Comparison
There is one major difference between the two vehicles that needs to be addressed before we go any further into the analysis. The 2020 Cadillac XT6 is available in only two trims, and the Kia Telluride is available in four trims. Keep this in mind as we move forward. We will be comparing only the base and top-tier models for each.
When you think of Cadillac, the term “basic” is probably nowhere in your mind. If you look closely at other 2020 Cadillac models, most of them are available in three trims. However, the XT6 is different. The first trim is the Premium Luxury model, which is usually the mid-level trim on other Cadillac family members. It has heated front seats and a heated steering wheel for the ultimate comfort during the colder months. The cabin is decorated with exotic authentic wood accents for a lavish, luxurious look.
During the spring and summer, you can let in some fresh air by opening the panoramic sunroof. A total of six USB ports are located throughout the cabin for charging multiple devices at the same time. There is also a wireless charging pad for the driver to use to cut down on clutter.
As for infotainment, the interface is displayed on an 8-inch touchscreen monitor that operates with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wifi hotspot. You can make calls, send text messages, stream your personal playlist, and even connect with your favorite apps through your vehicle. Standard driving aids and safety features include a rearview camera that displays the video feed on the rearview mirror, front/back parking sensors, blindspot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and emergency braking.
On the other hand, the 2020 Kia Telluride base model is known as the LX. It is nowhere near as luxurious as the XT6. The interior is covered in synthetic leather upholstery, and there are only five USB ports located throughout the cabin. While the infotainment interface is also displayed on an 8-inch touchscreen, it is missing the Wifi hotspot. However, it does come with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As for safety features, the Telluride LX includes blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and a drowsy driver alert system.
The Takeaway: The Cadillac XT6 has more luxurious features and styling elements than the Kia Telluride.
Premium Trim Comparison
Now let’s jump up the ladder to the top-tier trim levels. Since the Cadillac XT6 only comes in two trims, this isn’t much of a leap.
The 2020 Cadillac XT6 Sport is the top-of-the-line model for this lineup. It’s a perfect fusion of athleticism, grace, elegance, and beauty. From the exterior, you will notice glossy black accents that give it a sleek appearance. On the inside, the real wood accents have been replaced with carbon fiber for a more futuristic look. When you slip behind the wheel, it will look and feel like you’re driving a racecar that just so happens to be an SUV.
The wheels have been restyled for a more stylized look, and adaptive suspension makes the driving experience much smoother. This model is similarly equipped as the Premium Luxury version, but it has a few extra bells and whistles as well. These include premium leather upholstery, a high-quality Bose stereo system, and a navigation system. Added safety features include adaptive cruise control and night vision.
The top-of-the-line 2020 Kia Telluride is known as the SX model. It gets many upgrades that came standard on the Cadillac XT6, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a dual-panel sunroof, a wireless charging pad, and an additional USB port. Added safety features include rain-sensing wipers, front parking sensors, the Head-Up Display, and automatic high beams. It’s also worth noting that this top-tier model gets a larger 10.3-inch touchscreen interface for the infotainment system.
The Takeaway: The Cadillac XT6 has more luxurious features, while the Telluride is just now catching up to the XT6’s base model.
Paint Options
Exterior paint colors are very important to the overall look of the vehicle. Luckily, the Cadillac XT6 comes in nine hues, including Stellar Black Metallic, Garnet Metallic, Shadow Metallic, Manhattan Noir Metallic (a dark grey hue), Dark Mocha Metallic, Satin Steel Metallic, Radiant Silver Metallic, Crystal White Tricoat, and Red Horizon Tintcoat.
Meanwhile, the 2020 Kia Telluride is only available in seven exterior paint colors. These shades include Snow White Pearl, Everlasting Silver, Dark Moss, Gravity Grey, Black Copper, Ebony Black, and Sangria (a dark red hue).
The Takeaway: The Cadillac XT6 is available with more exterior paint options. These shades are also mostly metallic, which means that the finish will be shinier than the finish on the Telluride.
Finding Your Own Cadillac XT6 or Kia Telluride
Both of these models have a lot to offer drivers, but the final decision is yours. The Cadillac XT6 offers more horsepower and torque and is packed to the brim with luxury features even on the base model. The Kia Telluride, on the other hand, has a better towing capacity and more trims, the downside is you will have to choose the top-trim to get all of the amazing features found on the base trim of the XT6.
