Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Cadillac XT6

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 presented itself with a polished exterior, featuring 20-inch alloy wheels and a sleek Stellar Black paint job. Inside, the Jet Black semi-aniline premium leather interior exuded a sense of luxury, reminiscent of a formal black-tie event. The XT6's design was conservative, with towering front running lights and taillights that mirrored GMC's style, giving it a tall and narrow appearance. Despite its understated elegance, the XT6's interior, though lined with rich materials, lacked the distinctiveness expected in a luxury SUV, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen that felt more at home in a less premium vehicle.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer offered a more dynamic and youthful design, resembling a smaller version of the Chevrolet Blazer. It balanced SUV toughness with upscale details like intricate lighting elements and dark chrome trim. The Activ and RS models added unique styling cues, with the Activ model featuring rugged elements like a faux skid plate and roof rails, while the RS model sported a more aggressive look with blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets. The Trailblazer's interior, though not overtly adventurous, included design touches that added personality, such as copper-toned trim and grab handles around the centre console.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 was equipped with a choice of engines, starting with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard in the Luxury trim, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive in Canada. The Premium Luxury and Sport trims featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. While the V6 provided sufficient power, it lacked the turbocharged punch found in some competitors. The XT6 offered a smooth ride with its adaptive-damping performance suspension and 20-inch wheels, but its driving dynamics leaned more towards comfort than excitement. Fuel economy for the V6 was rated at 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test vehicle achieving 12.0 L/100 km.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX, offering a standard 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. An optional 1.3-litre turbo-three increased output to 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. The Trailblazer's 1.3-litre engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission in AWD models, provided a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. The Activ model's dampers, tuned for gravel roads, offered a composed ride on pavement, though some bouncing was noted over road imperfections. The Trailblazer's selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike some competitors' automatic systems. Drive modes included Normal, Sport, and Snow, though the differences in Sport mode were subtle.

Inside the 2022 Cadillac XT6, the three-row SUV offered comfortable power-adjustable front seats with optional semi-aniline leather, but lacked the range of adjustments and massage functions found in some rivals. The second-row captain's chairs provided good legroom when slid back, but the third-row seat was cramped for adults. The XT6's cargo space measured 357 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,200 litres with the rear seats folded, and a maximum of 2,229 litres. Storage options were limited, with small cubbies and difficult-to-access trays.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, though compact, made efficient use of its space. It offered generous headroom in both rows, matching the Kia Seltos, and more rear legroom than the Buick Encore GX. The Trailblazer's cargo capacity was 716 litres with the second-row seats in place, expanding to 1,540 litres with the seats folded. While the cargo space was respectable, it fell short of the Kia Seltos. Up front, the Trailblazer featured a covered storage bin, a deep tray, and cupholders, though the small dashboard carve-out's purpose was unclear.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 featured advanced technologies like a digital rearview mirror, Night Vision, and Super Cruise hands-free driving assistance. However, it lacked digital gauges, offering analog ones instead. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while intuitive, was smaller than competitors' offerings. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and an available navigation system. Usability issues arose with touch-sensing buttons and counterintuitive indicator lights. The Bose Performance Series audio system delivered excellent sound, but the head-up display was less impressive.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. An optional 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a Bose audio system were available. While the Trailblazer's tech offerings were adequate, they might not satisfy tech-savvy buyers. The 8-inch touchscreen was well-sized for the dashboard, with easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information.

The 2022 Cadillac XT6 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The standout feature was the Super Cruise system, which allowed hands-free highway driving on approved roads. However, it had limitations, such as inconsistent lane-keeping and abrupt braking. The XT6 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also offered a robust set of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.