Chevrolet Trax vs Cadillac XT6

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, based on the 2015 model, had received updates in 2017 that carried over into 2021. These updates included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In 2020, the infotainment system was upgraded, and by 2021, the Premier trim was dropped, leaving only the LS and LT trims. The LS trim featured 16-inch painted aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, dual front USB ports, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The LT trim added heated, power-adjustable side mirrors, rear window tint, roof rails, LED head- and taillights, remote start, cruise control, chrome belt-line moldings, and silver-painted skid plates. It also included upgraded cloth and leatherette seats, a cargo security cover, and a 120-volt AC power outlet.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 Premium Luxury test vehicle arrived with polished 20-inch alloy wheels, Stellar Black paint, and a Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior. The XT6 had a conservatively tailored image, with towering front running lights and simple vertical taillights. Cadillac offered the XT6 in Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport trims, with prices starting just under $50,000. Our test vehicle, loaded with options like Super Cruise and Night Vision technologies, had an MSRP of $73,565. Despite its rich materials, the XT6's interior didn't look special for its price, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen that ran the same software as other GM models.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a single engine option: a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled at highway speeds and was noisy. The Trax had a firm ride, harsh over potholes, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in tight spaces. Rivals like the Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30 offered more comfortable rides and were more fun to drive.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 employed the same engines as the GMC Acadia. The base model had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the Premium Luxury and Sport trims featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and AWD was available. Our test vehicle, with the V6 engine and AWD, offered Tour and Sport driving modes. The V6 was powerful, but the XT6 leaned towards serenity rather than excitement. The adaptive-damping performance suspension and 20-inch wheels provided a smooth ride, but the XT6 wasn't particularly enjoyable to drive. The EPA fuel economy rating for the XT6 V6 with AWD was 21 mpg in combined driving, but our test vehicle returned 19.5 mpg.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered respectable headroom and legroom in both rows. The front seats were supportive, but the rear seats lacked bolstering. The Trax had multiple storage trays in each door and low cupholder placement. It provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The front passenger seat folded flat for larger items. However, there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6's interior felt narrow, with power-adjustable seats that were comfortable but lacked massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs offered good legroom, but the third-row seat was cramped for adults. The XT6 had limited storage space, with a small cubby on the dashboard and a bin under the center armrest. It provided 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 43.1 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded, and a maximum volume of 78.7 cubic feet.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax featured a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, with easy-to-follow menus and vivid graphics. It came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an available WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 offered impressive features like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision system, and Super Cruise hands-free highway driving-assistance system. However, it lacked digital gauges and had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, and an available embedded navigation system. The intuitive natural voice recognition technology was a highlight, but there were usability issues with touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive indicator lights. The available Bose Performance Series premium audio system sounded great, but the head-up display was small.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA but did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. It came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection available in the LT Convenience Package. However, it lacked advanced safety features like forward-collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6, with the optional Platinum Package, had a comprehensive list of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The star feature was the Super Cruise system, which allowed hands-free driving on approved highways. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.