2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2022 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined luxury brand. Updated in 2020 with 40 enhancements, the XT5 carried these improvements into 2021, including a new engine option, revised styling, and advanced technology. The exterior featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale design compared to its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, especially in the Premium Luxury trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while essentially a glorified minivan, offered a practical and stylish alternative for those needing a family SUV. Starting at $33,700, the Traverse featured a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, tested with AWD and a Dual SkyScape Sunroof, had blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, making it one of the most appealing vehicles in its segment. The Traverse's design demonstrated a level of styling restraint, with crisply tailored lines and tasteful details.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 came in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims. The Luxury and Premium Luxury trims featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Premium Luxury trim could be upgraded to a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque, which was standard on the Sport trim. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided smooth upshifts but clunkier downshifts, especially in Sport mode. The XT5 achieved about 25 mpg in AWD during a 2,000-mile test, better than the EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined for the V6.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse had a tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and featured various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's bulk, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg combined for AWD. During testing, the Traverse returned 20.9 mpg. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, with good handling and predictable behavior, though it felt disconnected from the road at higher speeds.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 accommodated four adults comfortably in two rows, though it technically seated five. The back seat had limited headroom for tall occupants, but legroom was good in both rows. The front seats, while heated, were not as comfortable as they appeared for long trips. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors, but benefited from a deep rear cargo area. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone and small map pockets.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS trim, seated seven with second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were power-adjustable and heated, with triple-zone climate control. The second-row Smart Slide function and long rear doors made third-row access easier. The Traverse offered generous legroom and headroom in the second row, though the captain’s chairs lacked leg support. The third row was suitable for adults if the second-row seats were slid forward. The Traverse provided ample storage, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space measured 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet maximum.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic. The system included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, wireless charging, and USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. The XT5 also offered a rear camera mirror and a head-up display. The digital instrument cluster provided necessary vehicle information, and the climate control system featured hidden-button functionality.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in LS and LT Cloth models, while other trims had an 8-inch high-definition display. The system supported Bluetooth for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel and an integrated navigation system. The RS trim included a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The Traverse’s voice recognition system performed well, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered a range of safety features, including front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all features were available in all trims. The XT5 also had a rear-seat reminder and a rearview camera. Cadillac’s Night Vision technology improved nighttime drivability, and the Teen Driver software allowed parents to monitor and limit vehicle features for young drivers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following-distance indicator. Additional safety features, such as rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, were available. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received top “Good” ratings in most IIHS collision tests, except for an “Acceptable” rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of writing.