2021 Cadillac XT5 vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a typical SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. However, it lacked the personality of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, and the streamlined appearance of the Mazda CX-9. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The interior followed the same restrained styling, with an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof as a standout feature. Materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5, on the other hand, showcased Cadillac's efforts to reclaim its status as a refined brand. Updated for 2020 with 40 enhancements, the XT5 carried these changes into 2021. The exterior featured standard LED lights and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside, the XT5 offered a more upscale design than its GM sibling, the Chevrolet Blazer, with sweeping horizontal lines and straightforward materials. The Premium Luxury trim exuded elegance with cut-and-sewn leather, natural wood, and carbon fiber accents, making it one of the most refined Cadillacs aside from the Escalade.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite the impressive specs, the Traverse didn't feel as powerful as expected, though it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic performed well overall but had occasional rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, but it lacked agility on twistier roads. The AWD system, which required manual activation, could send torque to individual wheels but didn't significantly impact handling. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, average for the segment.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided immediate throttle response but could benefit from more low-end torque. The transmission was smooth when upshifting but clunkier when downshifting, 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. The base engine got 23 mpg combined with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD. The XT5 handled well on the road, offering a comfortable and confident driving experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS model, with ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate on the Premier and High Country models. However, interior storage options were limited.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 had room for four adults 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 were less comfortable on long trips due to a hard bottom cushion. Heated front seats were standard, with either heated or ventilated seats activating based on the climate. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors, but benefited from a deep rear cargo area. The cargo-management system allowed for dividing and securing items. A hands-free programmable height liftgate was available. Small-item storage was limited, with no good place for a smartphone and small map pockets.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen in the RS model was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio and climate. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. Each row had 2 USB ports, but wireless phone charging was only standard on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 featured a streamlined infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen housed in Piano Black plastic with haptic feedback. The tri-zone automatic climate control had a chrome toggle switch for front-seat temperature adjustments, while rear-seat occupants had their own controls. A heated steering wheel and heated outboard rear seats were available. The XT5 had a rotary controller for the infotainment system, which crowded the screen's aesthetics. Standard features included one-touch phone pairing, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, Bluetooth, wireless charging, and USB-A and USB-C ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series sound system available. A rear camera mirror and a head-up display were also available.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all crash tests from the IIHS, along with a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it received "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side-impact crash tests. Chevy offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist only available as options.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5's safety features included front automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert. Not all technologies were available in all trim levels. Standard features included a rear-seat reminder and a rearview camera. The available Night Vision technology enhanced nighttime drivability, allowing large wildlife and hazards to be seen at a distance. GM's Teen Driver software was also standard, allowing parents to limit certain vehicle features and view a report card of driving habits.