2022 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 competitors like the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride. 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 approach, 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 2022 Cadillac XT5 had a design that fell between the angularity of the Lexus NX and the traditional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, including a bold grille and vertical taillights, but the compact footprint and tall profile made for an awkward mix. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had distinct exterior styling cues, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The interior felt luxurious, especially with the optional Platinum Package, which added semi-aniline leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped instrument panel. However, without this package, the XT5's interior might not meet luxury standards. The design lacked a strong theme, unlike competitors like the Volvo XC60 or Lincoln Corsair.

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 but occasionally had rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and a comfortable ride, though it lacked agility on twisty roads. The AWD system, which required manual activation, could send torque to individual wheels but didn’t noticeably improve handling. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, average for the segment.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, which excelled in providing a comfortable ride while maintaining excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, offering a quick ratio without being overly sensitive. The XT5's cabin was impressively quiet, enhancing the luxury 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 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 lower trims and standard on higher ones. However, interior storage options were limited, typical of midsize three-row crossovers.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 compared favorably to German luxury crossovers in interior space, offering more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, though less than the BMW X3. It had more legroom in both rows but less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. The XT5 offered 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63 cubic feet with them folded, beating the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available. The center console housed a rotary controller and shifter, but space was limited.

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, a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen 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. Two USB ports per row were standard, with wireless phone charging available on higher trims.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display were available with the Technology Package. While the touchscreen was easy to navigate, the secondary controls were less user-friendly. The rotary controller and capacitive touchpads were not ideally placed and lacked physical feedback. The standard audio system was an eight-speaker Bose setup, with an optional 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system providing excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention. However, it had “Acceptable” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests, and five stars in side-impact tests. Standard driver-assist features were limited, with many only available on higher trims.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear park assist, automatic high beams, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package included rear pedestrian alert, a surround-vision camera system, night vision, and automatic parking assist. The XT5 received top “Good” scores in IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention but had a “Marginal” headlight rating and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating, with five stars in frontal and side tests, and four stars in rollover tests.