2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Cadillac XT6

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 had a sophisticated and premium look that stayed true to the Cadillac brand. Its exterior styling mirrored that of its smaller siblings, the XT4 and XT5, with sharply defined lines and slim all-LED headlights. The XT6 came in three trims: Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport. The Sport trim, in particular, stood out with its darkened accents around the traditionally-styled grille and lower bumper. It also featured window surrounds, roof rails, and a rear bumper with matching dark trim, riding on 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with Android Satin finish pockets, giving it an undeniably upscale appearance. Buyers could choose from seven paint colors, with most options adding a surcharge.

Inside, the XT6 borrowed heavily from the XT5 but offered more space. The cabin presented three color options: Jet Black, Cirrus, and Maple Sugar. The seats stood out as the most premium aspect, especially with the available Platinum Package that introduced semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microsuede headliner. However, while the seats exuded luxury, the dashboard and some interior materials felt less premium, with some cheaper-looking stitching and buttons. Nonetheless, the steering wheel and console surfaces felt agreeable to the touch.

In comparison, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse showcased a styling overhaul with new headlights, taillights, a refreshed front bumper, modified grille designs, and redesigned wheels. Despite its somewhat minivan-like role, the Traverse maintained an appealing SUV aesthetic with crisply tailored lines, swollen fenders, and tasteful details. Our RS trim test vehicle, priced at $48,895 including destination, featured attractive dark gray 20-inch wheels and a Dual SkyScape Sunroof, making it a standout in its segment.

The Traverse's interior was practical and functional, with black leather upholstery highlighted by red and light gray stitching. Though hard plastic surfaces dominated, the design was logical and straightforward. The RS trim added black carpets, a black headliner, and gloss black trim, with polished metallic accents preventing the cabin from feeling too dark. Given its price point, it provided a balanced blend of style and functionality.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 Sport housed a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine configuration was standard on the Premium Luxury trim as well, while the base Luxury model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine, offering 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The V6 delivered adequate power, and the smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic handled gear changes seamlessly. The AWD system was standard on the XT6 Sport and optional on Luxury and Premium Luxury trims.

However, the XT6 Sport struggled with weight distribution, feeling heavy at 4,690 pounds. The uneven weight balance, particularly due to the AWD mechanics, affected its driving dynamics, making it less agile compared to competitors like the Toyota Highlander and Kia Telluride. Fuel economy was competitive within the segment, with the AWD V6 achieving 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

Conversely, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse simplified engine choices with a sole 3.6-liter V6, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, also paired with a nine-speed automatic. With an AWD model returning 20 mpg combined in real-world testing, its fuel efficiency closely matched the XT6. The Traverse excelled in towing, with a 5,000-pound capacity when properly equipped.

The Traverse offered multiple driving modes: Tow/Haul, Snow, Off-Road, and Normal, catering to various driving conditions. It handled urban roads well, with a firm yet compliant ride absorbing minor road imperfections. On highways, it cruised comfortably but with noticeable wind and road noise. The Traverse felt more athletic in mountainous terrain than some rivals, with effective Active Return Assist steering and Duralife brakes. However, at higher speeds, it felt somewhat disconnected from the road, though it maintained predictable handling.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 was designed with its target audience in mind, though it faced stiff competition. Seating for seven came standard, with an option for captain’s chairs in the second row for $800. The XT6's third-row seating was adult-friendly, a feature that older midsize SUVs often lacked. Despite this, it had less space in all three rows compared to models like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade.

Small-item storage in the XT6 was subpar, especially for front-row occupants. The wireless phone charger, although standard, was a deep-pocket type that made phone access during charging cumbersome. However, the XT6 shined in cargo space, offering more room than many competitors with power-folding third-row seats and an optional remote-folding second row. The cargo area behind the third row was limited, typical for the class, necessitating seat folding for larger loads.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in RS, Premier, and High Country trims, lacked an eight-passenger bench seat, limiting it to seven passengers. The RS trim came with power-adjustable heated front seats, triple-zone climate control, and the Smart Slide function for easier third-row access. While the all-black cabin and lack of ventilated front seats were not issues in moderate temperatures, second-row captain’s chairs offered ample legroom but less leg support.

Adults could fit in the third row if the second-row seats were adjusted forward. Storage was abundant throughout, with hidden compartments behind the infotainment screen and under the cargo floor, designed with family use in mind. The Traverse boasted 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 98.2 cubic feet with the second row down. These figures made it one of the roomiest in its segment, though it still fell short of the Chevy Tahoe.

The 2021 Cadillac XT6 packed sufficient technology, though it wasn’t groundbreaking. The infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen, tri-zone automatic climate control, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Additional features included a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, satellite radio, and Teen Driver monitoring. Buyers could also opt for an air ionizer, a 14-speaker Bose audio system, heated/ventilated seats, and navigation.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on LS and LT Cloth models, with an 8-inch display standard on higher trims. Premier and High Country trims also included an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. Both infotainment systems supported Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services like a WiFi hotspot. The voice recognition system was particularly effective, making it easy to use the infotainment features.

The Traverse’s available digital rearview mirror enhanced rear visibility, and the RS trim’s surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert were useful in tight spaces. The 8-inch touchscreen’s small size didn’t hinder functionality owing to the intuitive Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 technology.

For safety, the 2021 Cadillac XT6 came with a robust suite of features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and a high-definition rearview camera. Higher trims added lane change alert, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional upgrades included adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and a head-up display.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the XT6 with a five-star frontal crash test rating and a four-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named it a Top Safety Pick+.

Similarly, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse included the Chevy Safety Assist package with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims featured adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse LT Leather could be upgraded with these features, while Premier and High Country trims added Chevy’s vibrating Safety Alert Seat.

The IIHS rated the Traverse’s collision tests as Good but found its headlight performance less impressive. The NHTSA had yet to release crash-test ratings at the time of the review.