2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was introduced as a smaller sibling to the anticipated Bronco, capturing the rugged spirit of its predecessor while offering a more urban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs designed for trail driving. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. Wheel options varied across trims, from 17-inch Sparkle Silver wheels on the Base model to 18-inch Ebony Black-painted wheels on the Outer Banks. Inside, the Bronco Sport offered a rugged yet tasteful interior with a unique design for HVAC vents, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and a rotary gear selector. Interior trim options ranged from cloth to leather-trimmed, heated sport-contour bucket seats, with practical features like a rubberized cargo floor and second-row seat protector.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often compared to a minivan, offered a stylish alternative for those seeking an SUV. It featured a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with options for blacked-out trim through various appearance packages. The RS trim, in particular, showcased dark gray 20-inch wheels and blacked-out accents, making it one of the more appealing vehicles in its segment. The Traverse's interior was equipped with black leather upholstery, red and light gray contrast stitching, and gloss black trim. While hard plastic surfaces were prevalent, the design was simple and logical, with matte-finish black switchgear to reduce glare. The Traverse's infotainment system was praised for its ease of use, with intuitive stereo controls and temperature adjustment knobs.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine choices, both paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims featured a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands and First Edition models were equipped with a more powerful 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance. It also featured a terrain management system with up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. On-road, the Bronco Sport was a competent commuter, with the 2.0-liter engine providing a more refined driving experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse's tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, with driving modes for Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and the SUV returned a fuel economy of 20.9 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, absorbing smaller road imperfections while requiring caution over larger bumps. On the highway, it provided a comfortable ride, though road and wind noise were noticeable. In mountainous terrain, the Traverse demonstrated athleticism, with its V6 drivetrain, steering, and brakes performing well. However, the RS trim's tires and suspension tuning resulted in a disconnected feel on undulating roads.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport catered to active buyers with features like a cargo space designed to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. Ford offered over 100 accessories for transporting outdoor gear, and the roof could support up to 150 pounds. The Bronco Sport's cargo area included a flip-up rear glass, an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table, and a 400-watt inverter. The front cabin featured ample storage compartments, though visibility issues were noted for taller drivers and off-road enthusiasts.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS, Premier, or High Country trims, offered seating for seven with second-row captain's chairs. The RS trim included power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row featured a Smart Slide function for easier access to the third row. The Traverse's interior provided generous legroom and headroom, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third-row seat was accessible and offered better comfort than many rivals. The Traverse boasted abundant storage, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space was generous, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered Ford+Alexa, SiriusXM capability, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The Outer Banks and higher trims had an available Bang & Olufsen sound system and a 360-degree camera. The Bronco Sport's terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, with trail control technology for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on LS and LT Cloth models, while other trims had an 8-inch high-definition display. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Traverse offered Teen Driver technology, an integrated navigation system, SiriusXM 360L, and Alexa Built-in. A Bose premium sound system was standard on RS trim and above. The Traverse's voice recognition system was praised for its accuracy, and the available digital rearview mirror improved rear visibility.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including pre-collision assist, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, auto high-beam headlamps, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a voice-activated navigation system. All Bronco Sport models featured AWD and a terrain management system with traction control, anti-lock braking, and electronic stability control. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse included Chevy Safety Assist as standard, with features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. A Safety Package added rear parking assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time.