Motor Trend - USA (2020-01)

SPECS 2019 Chevrolet Blazer RS AWD

Base Price/As Tested $44,695/$50,

Power (SAE net) 308 hp @ 6,700 rpm

Torque (SAE net) 270 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm

Accel, 0-60 mph 6.1 sec

Quarter Mile 14.6 sec @ 95.6 mph

Braking, 60-0 mph 117 ft

Lateral Acceleration 0.82 g (avg)

MT Figure Eight 27.3 sec @ 0.67 g (avg)

EPA City/Hwy/Comb 18/25/21 mpg

Cadillac XT

SUVOTY I Contender

Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV Engine/Transmission 3.6L DOHC 24-valve V-6/9-speed automatic Curb Weight (F/R Dist) 4,

lb (59/41%) Wheelbase 112.7 in Length x Width x Height 191.4 x 76.7 x 67.0 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy 187/135 kW-hr/100 miles CO2 Emissions,

Comb 0.94 lb/mile

PRO Attractive RS trim • Impressive packaging • The Camaro of SUVs

CON Expensive • Unimpressive base model • Poor AWD implementation

Chevrolet Blazer

Vehicle Layout Front-engine, AWD, 6-pass, 4-door SUV Engine/Transmission 3.6L DOHC 24-valve V-6/9-speed automatic Curb Weight (F/R Dist) 4,

lb (56/44%) Wheelbase 112.7 in Length x Width x Height 198.5 x 77.3 x 68.9 in Energy Consumption, City/Hwy 198/140 kW-hr/100 miles CO2 Emissions,

Comb 0.99 lb/mile

SPECS 2020 Cadillac XT6 Sport AWD 400

Base Price/As Tested $58,090/$73,

Power (SAE net) 310 hp @ 6,600 rpm

Torque (SAE net) 271 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm

Accel, 0-60 mph 6.8 sec

Quarter Mile 15.2 sec @ 93.1 mph

Braking, 60-0 mph 131 ft

Lateral Acceleration 0.82 g (avg)

MT Figure Eight 27.2 sec @ 0.67 g (avg)

EPA City/Hwy/Comb 17/24/20 mpg

RWD platform. But Cadillac

chose to fast-track the XT6, given

the popularity of three-row SUVs

and the hole in its lineup.

That led to the XT6 being

based on the two-row XT5,

saving development time and

cost, “but inevitably, it would

force compromises versus a

purpose-developed premium

crossover architecture,” de

Nysschen said.

The XT6 is still a comfortable

vehicle. Judges liked the way the

suspension is tuned in terms of

T

he 2020 Cadillac XT6 arrives

with elegant styling, a

comfortable ride, and a

spacious interior. But when being

compared to the new Lincoln

Aviator—its most direct compet-

itor—the Cadillac falls short on

many fronts.

We were fortunate to have de

Nysschen—who was president of

Cadillac when the XT6 was being

developed—as a guest judge. He

didn’t pull punches, saying the

three-row crossover should have

been based on GM’s Omega

body control, ride comfort, and

handling—”Sporty even on the

winding road,” Seabaugh said—

but noticed significant body roll

and tire noise.

The XT6 arrives with only one

engine, a 3.6-liter V-6 that sends

310 hp and 271 lb-ft to the front

or all four wheels via a nine-

speed automatic. But compare

its numbers with the rear-based

Aviator with 400 hp, and the XT

already falls short.

The interior styling also

disappointed judges. “The XT

delivers the most basic-looking

interior, not the standard of the

world,” Loh said. The rest of the

interior—except the revamped

infotainment system, which is

one of the best in the business—

seems old.

It’s clear the Cadillac XT

was a three-row SUV conceived

with limited resources. And

when you compare that against

other three-row luxury SUVs, the

Caddy falls short in almost every

category.

Miguel Cortina

Our tester’s $50,765 as-tested

price also gave us pause. Fit

and finish was OK, but the cheap

switchgear from GM’s junk

drawer—including the plastic

drive mode knob that literally

flexes when you twist it—detract

from an otherwise nice cabin.

Still, if you want to be the cool

parent, this might be the SUV for

you. Christian Seabaugh

T

he new Chevrolet Blazer

is among Chevy’s most

successful designs of late. It

seamlessly brings Camaro styling

cues into the crossover format,

providing a sporty-looking

alternative to the traditional

cookie-cutter crossover.

Although a design-driven

exercise, the Blazer doesn’t give

up much in utility. The cabin is

comfortable and flexible, and

rear passengers get a flat floor

and reclining seats. The seats

fold flat for more cargo space.

Chevy offers a front-drive-

only 193-hp I-4 and a 308-hp V-

that’s available with front- or

all-wheel drive. Chevy only sent

us a Blazer RS—complete with the

V-6 and a more advanced AWD

system. Of our staff, only Gale

had driven a lesser Blazer. He

wasn’t impressed: “The Blazer’s

magic doesn’t extend evenly

across the entire line.”

With sporty acceleration

and good ride and handling

manners, the RS model does at

least deliver on the performance

its sheetmetal promises. The

Blazer manages the difficult task

of balancing steering feel with

compliant, livable ride quality.

Elsewhere, we were disap-

pointed by GM’s insistence on

making AWD driver-selectable—a

quick way for customers to find

themselves stuck when the Blazer

doesn’t warn you to manually shift

into all-wheel drive soon enough.

PRO Elegant exterior • Intuitive infotainment • Comfortable ride

CON Falls short on value • Old interior design • Competition is better

SUVOTY I Contenders

18 MOTORTREND.COM JANUARY 2020