Chevrolet Tahoe vs Cadillac XT5

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe offered a diverse range of trims, each with distinct styling elements that set them apart. The base LS and LT models featured different grille patterns, while the RST trim boasted a sporty blacked-out appearance with a slotted grille and 22-inch wheels. The Z71 trim was designed for off-roading, incorporating a rugged front end, red tow hooks, and all-terrain tires. The Premier trim added chrome accents and polished wheels, while the High Country trim exuded luxury with a chrome bar grille and bright-finished 22-inch wheels. The Tahoe's design was characterized by its dominant grille and expressive taillights, with a more subtle overall styling compared to its predecessor. The interior featured a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and electronic transmission controls, though the control layout was somewhat compromised. The Z71 trim we tested included numerous upgrades, resulting in a price of $80,293.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a blend of Cadillac's signature design cues with a compact footprint and tall profile. The Premium Luxury and Sport models had distinct styling elements, with the former featuring bright chrome and the latter darker trim and a mesh grille. The XT5's interior, especially with the optional Platinum Package, felt luxurious with semi-aniline leather upholstery and a microfibre sueded headliner. However, the interior design lacked a strong theme, and the seats, while comfortable, didn't quite meet luxury standards. The XT5 offered more front headroom than some German competitors but trailed in rear headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 850 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,784 litres with them folded.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe was equipped with three engine options. The standard 5.3-litre V8 engine, available in all trims except the High Country, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The High Country trim featured a 6.2-litre V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. A turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel engine was also available, offering 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, except for the Z71 trim. The Tahoe's 10-speed automatic transmission powered the rear wheels, with a four-wheel-drive system available on higher trims. The Z71 trim included off-road enhancements like a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control. The Tahoe's independent rear suspension improved ride quality, and the optional Magnetic Ride Control and Air Ride suspension further enhanced comfort. The Tahoe Z71 impressed with its smooth ride and capable performance, achieving a fuel efficiency of 14.3 L/100 km during testing.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options. The base 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the optional 3.6-litre V6 engine delivered 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6-equipped Premium Luxury test car felt reasonably quick, with smooth power delivery and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, providing a comfortable ride with excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, offering nimbleness without being overly sensitive. The XT5's cabin was notably quiet, enhancing the luxury experience.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe benefited from its new independent rear suspension, which improved passenger comfort and cargo space. The test vehicle featured heated power-adjustable front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The power sliding storage console was a standout feature, offering additional storage and convenience. The second row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter providing easy access to the third row. The third-row seat room was significantly improved, accommodating adults comfortably. The Tahoe offered 722 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 2,056 litres with the seat folded, and a maximum of 3,480 litres.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers. It provided more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC but less than the BMW X3. The XT5 excelled in legroom, though it trailed the Lincoln Corsair in front legroom. The seats were comfortable but could have used more cushioning. Cadillac quoted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,784 litres with them folded. The XT5 included a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen for additional storage, compensating for limited centre console space.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe featured a standard 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with enhanced computing power and over-the-air update capability. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a voice-recognition system, and Chevrolet Connected Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the main-menu shortcut icons were somewhat hard to use. The voice-recognition system was impressive, and Bluetooth pairing was fast. The test vehicle included a Rear Seat Media system, though it lacked the available 15-inch head-up display.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster display and a head-up display were available with the optional Technology Package. While usability was improved, the tech still lagged behind other luxury brands. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but the array of secondary controls was cumbersome. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe included standard safety features like Teen Driver, a rear-seat reminder system, forward collision alert with pedestrian detection, and low-speed automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Tahoe's safety features worked as expected during testing, though the audible pedestrian alert could be distracting. The Tahoe had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package included a rear pedestrian alert function and a surround-vision camera system. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, though it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.