2022 Jeep Wagoneer vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

Like a geological core sample, you can chart the evolution of the American family car by looking at the Chevrolet lineup. Go back a few decades and you have tail-finned and wood-paneled station wagons, then Lumina APV “Dustbuster” minivans. Today, you have the 2021 Chevrolet Traverse.

The Traverse is a three-row crossover of the type that has largely eliminated the minivan from showrooms. As the new default choice for larger families, the three-row crossover has spawned a competitive market segment, encompassing the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Palisade, Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Pathfinder, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Highlander, and Volkswagen Atlas. So buyers aren’t exactly lacking in choices here.

The current-generation Traverse dates back to the 2018 model year, so it’s not the newest vehicle in the segment, but still fairly fresh. Chevy had some updates planned for the 2021 model year—including minor styling changes and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity—but they’ve been pushed to 2022. However, these changes don’t appear significant enough to justify waiting around for the 2022 Traverse, which is scheduled to reach dealerships later this year.

For 2021, the Traverse is available in L, LS, LT Cloth, LT Leather, RS, Premier, and High Country trim levels, with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Our test car was an AWD Traverse RS model.

Jeep is digging deep into its back catalog for new models. The Stellantis brand (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) recently resurrected the Jeep Gladiator pickup truck, and now it’s bringing back another name from the past—the Wagoneer.

The Jeep Wagoneer was one of the original American SUVs and boasted a 28-year production run, spanning 1963 to 1991. It’s a tough act to follow, then, as demonstrated by Jeep’s last attempt at a full-size SUV, the ill-fated Commander.

The Wagoneer returns not just as a new SUV, but as a sub-brand that sits atop the rest of the Jeep lineup in size, price, and prestige. For the 2022 model year, Jeep is launching both the standard Wagoneer and a more luxurious Grand Wagoneer (covered in a separate review). As the lower-tier model, the standard Wagoneer targets full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and Toyota Sequoia.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer launches in Series II and Series III trim levels, with a base Wagoneer Series I model scheduled to join the lineup at a later date. Our test vehicle was a Wagoneer Series II, which is the de facto base model until the Series I arrives.