2022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was a nod to the past, with Chevy using styling details to give each trim level its own identity. The exterior was a generic SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, which appealed to many buyers. However, it lacked the personality of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, and the streamlined appearance of the Mazda CX-9. The Traverse's restrained styling highlighted the cosmetic elements of different trims, such as blacked-out trim on the RS model and chrome on the High Country. The interior mirrored the exterior's simplicity, with the standout feature being an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof. Materials in the higher-level RS model were decent but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 received a complete makeover, featuring a new exterior design, interior, powertrains, and technologies. The exterior changes resulted in a dramatic and attractive crossover SUV with a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes. The long hood and steeply-raked windshield conveyed elegance, while blacked-out pillars created a floating roof effect. The rear elevation was tasteful, with "INFINITI" spelled out in chrome letters across the liftgate. Inside, the QX60 felt wide and open, with quilted leather upholstery on the Autograph trim level. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display was well-placed, and the TFT instrument panel delivered crisp graphics. The build quality was high, as expected from Infiniti vehicles.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite the impressive specs, the Traverse didn't feel as powerful as expected, though it provided sufficient power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic performed well overall but occasionally had rough shifts. The Traverse excelled in highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and comfortable ride. However, it lacked agility on twistier roads, partly due to its AWD system, which required manual activation. The Traverse had a 5,000-pound towing capacity, average for the segment.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The new transmission provided a superior driving experience compared to the previous CVT, with clean and crisp shifts. The QX60's suspension, with MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, delivered a smooth and serene ride. The electric power steering assist provided good feel, and the vehicle handled well, though it wasn't designed for aggressive cornering. The QX60 offered a comfortable ride for passengers in all rows and had a 3,500-pound towing capacity, expandable to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, with above-average headroom and legroom in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS model, with ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, offering 23.0 cubic feet with all seats in place, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims. However, interior storage options were limited, typical of midsize three-row crossovers.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 catered to passengers with ample storage, charging ports, and comfort. The front center console had a cubby for smartphones, cupholders, and covered storage. The second-row seats slid fore and aft to share space between rows, with a 60/40 split bench or captain's chairs available. The third row was accessible and comfortable for adults. The QX60 offered 14.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The QX60 had a 3,500-pound towing capacity, expandable to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio and climate. The Traverse also featured a rearview camera mirror and an optional HD surround-view camera system. USB ports were standard for all rows, but wireless phone charging was only standard on the Premier and High Country models.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. An AT&T WiFi hotspot was standard, with six USB charge points throughout the cabin. A wireless charging pad was standard on Sensory and Autograph models. The navigation system was standard on all but the base Pure trim. The QX60 also introduced a simplified version of Alexa for voice commands. Autograph models came with a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror. A nine-speaker audio system was standard on Pure and Luxe models, while a 17-speaker Bose system was available on Luxe and standard on Sensory and Autograph.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it received "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA gave the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests and five stars in side-impact crash tests. Chevy offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist available as optional extras.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the previous generation received high ratings. The QX60 came with standard safety features, including a comprehensive collection of airbags and advanced driver assistance systems like forward emergency braking, predictive forward-collision warning, and blind-spot warning. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trims except Pure, with additional features like blind-spot intervention and lane-departure prevention available as options.