Compare the2023 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2023 Cadillac XT6

The Traverse has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The XT6 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Traverse and the XT6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Cadillac XT6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 5 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Cadillac dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Traverse’s reliability 12 points higher than the XT6.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 8th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 4 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The Traverse’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 75 more horsepower (310 vs. 235) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (266 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport 3.6 DOHC V6:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Traverse uses regular unleaded gasoline. The XT6 with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Traverse stops much shorter than the XT6:

For better traction, the Traverse has larger tires than the XT6 (255/65R18 vs. 235/55R20).

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the XT6 (120.9 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Traverse has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (7.5 vs. 6.65 inches), allowing the Traverse to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Traverse has standard seating for 8 passengers; the XT6 can only carry 7.

The Traverse has 3 inches more front headroom, 8 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room, 4.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1 inch more third row headroom, 4 inches more third row legroom, 9 inches more third row hip room and 4 inches more third row shoulder room than the XT6.

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the XT6.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Traverse easier. The Traverse’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.6 inches, while the XT6’s liftover is 33 inches.

The Traverse’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XT6’s (1500 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Cadillac XT6 is only 4000 pounds. The Traverse offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Traverse can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Traverse can be unhitched and driven around locally. The XT6 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Traverse’s available exterior PIN entry system. The XT6 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Consumer Reports rated the Traverse’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the XT6’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Traverse (except LS) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The XT6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Insurance will cost less for the Traverse owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Traverse will cost $2525 to $3825 less than the XT6 over a five-year period.

The Traverse will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Traverse will retain 44.52% to 50.11% of its original price after five years, while the XT6 only retains 44.29% to 44.34%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Traverse is less expensive to operate than the XT6 because it costs $46 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Traverse than the XT6, including $431 less for a muffler, $10 less for a starter, $15 less for front struts and $249 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Traverse will be $4120 to $18005 less than for the Cadillac XT6.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Traverse, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Cadillac XT6 isn't recommended.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Cadillac XT6 by over five to one during the 2021 model year.