2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended into the crowded compact crossover market. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The color options were limited, with most being shades of gray, black, or white, and the more vibrant colors were restricted to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and a mix of cloth or leather depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse presented a more appealing and distinctive look. It underwent a light restyle for the model year, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, in particular, stood out with blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The Traverse's design was praised for its crisply tailored lines and tasteful details, making it one of the most attractive vehicles in its segment. Inside, the RS trim featured black leather upholstery with red and light gray contrast stitching, creating a stylish and comfortable cabin. However, the use of hard plastic surfaces on the upper door panels was a downside.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not known for its thrilling performance but rather for its smooth and steady acceleration. All trims were equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which provided adequate acceleration, reaching 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) offered a predictable driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional automatic transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Its suspension setup provided decent handling and ride quality, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, featured a robust 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided ample power for the Traverse's size, and it had a tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Traverse offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road, to adapt to different conditions. The V6 engine's performance was well-matched to the vehicle's bulk, and it returned an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse's ride quality was generally pleasant, though it could feel disconnected from the road at higher speeds.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seats folded. The CR-V's cargo area could be accessed through a manual tailgate on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free power tailgate on the Touring trim. Roof rails were only standard on the top-tier Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was designed to comfortably fit five passengers and their gear, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, however, offered more interior space and versatility. It could seat up to seven passengers with captain's chairs in the second row, though it lacked the option for a second-row bench seat in higher trims. The Traverse RS featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row Smart Slide function and long rear doors made accessing the third row easier. The Traverse provided ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space measured 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 Honda CR-V offered a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity on the base LX trim, while higher trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB ports in the front and second rows, and the Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LS and LT Cloth models, while higher trims featured an 8-inch high-definition display. The Traverse's infotainment system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch system offered integrated navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and more in-vehicle apps, including Alexa Built-in. The RS trim and above featured a Bose premium sound system with seven speakers. The Traverse also offered a digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera for improved visibility.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award. However, it did not receive the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating due to lower scores in the headlight evaluation and updated side crash test. The CR-V's advanced safety features were packaged in the Honda Sensing system, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on the EX trim and above.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse also prioritized safety, with Chevy Safety Assist as standard equipment on all trims. This suite included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following-distance indicator. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, a higher-speed automatic emergency braking system, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse Premier and High Country trims included a vibrating Safety Alert Seat. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision-related tests, though it rated "Acceptable" in a new side-impact test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of writing.