Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 Cadillac XT6

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Traverse Z71’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The XT6 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Traverse and XT6 have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Traverse has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The XT6’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The Traverse’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The XT6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 23rd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Cadillac is ranked 12th.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 93 more horsepower (328 vs. 235) and 68 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 258) than the XT6’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 18 more horsepower (328 vs. 310) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 271) than the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse FWD gets better fuel mileage than the XT6 3.6 DOHC V6 FWD (20 city/27 hwy vs. 19 city/26 hwy).

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 on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the Traverse has larger standard tires than the XT6 (255/65R18 vs. 235/55R20). The Traverse’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XT6 (275/45R22 vs. 265/45R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Traverse offers optional 22-inch wheels. The XT6’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 8.3 inches longer than on the XT6 (121 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Traverse is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XT6.

For greater off-road capability the Traverse has a greater minimum ground clearance than the XT6 (6.8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Traverse to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Traverse Z71’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the XT6 (7.8 vs. 6.7 inches).

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the XT6 can only carry 7.

The Traverse has 7.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the XT6 (157 vs. 149.9).

The Traverse has 2.8 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom, 8.6 inches more front hip room, 4 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 2.4 inches more rear legroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room, 4.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.1 inches more third row headroom, 2.6 inches more third row legroom, 9.1 inches more third row hip room and 4.2 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 30.7 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’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The XT6 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Traverse has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Traverse has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport offers wireless charging.

The Traverse 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.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Cadillac XT6 by over six to one during 2023.