2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe surprised many with its value proposition. Despite its reasonable price range of $26,850 to $39,950, the Santa Fe offered a level of quality and refinement that seemed to exceed its cost. The redesigned front end, with new running lights and a reworked grille, gave it a distinctive look, while the interior upgrades, including a bridge-style center console and a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, elevated its appeal. The Calligraphy trim, in particular, stood out with its premium leather and panoramic sunroof, making it feel like a luxury vehicle at a bargain price. However, the exterior design was polarizing, with some finding the asymmetry of its body parts and greenhouse less appealing.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a practical choice for those needing a spacious family SUV. Starting at $33,700, it offered a more traditional SUV look with a light restyle that included new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, with its blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels, added a sporty touch. Inside, the Traverse provided a comfortable and functional space, though the use of hard plastics was a downside. The cabin layout was logical, with easy-to-use controls, and the second-row Smart Slide function made accessing the third row easier. Despite some road and wind noise, the Traverse was well-suited for family road trips, offering ample space and a pleasant ride.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe offered three new powertrains, catering to different driving preferences. The SE and SEL trims came with a 191-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid variant combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering a total of 226 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The Limited and Calligraphy trims featured a robust 281-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, providing 311 lb-ft of torque and paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Santa Fe's driving modes—Normal, Sport, and Smart—allowed for tailored driving experiences, with the turbocharged engine offering impressive performance and fuel efficiency, achieving 24 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided sufficient power for the Traverse's size, and the SUV offered a tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Traverse featured driving modes like Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road, enhancing its versatility. While the V6 engine was slightly noisy under acceleration, it delivered a balanced performance, achieving 20.9 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse's ride quality was generally pleasant, though it required careful handling over larger road imperfections to avoid scraping the front air dam.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in providing a comfortable and well-appointed interior. With dual-zone automatic climate control, stain-resistant fabric, and available leather upholstery, it catered to various preferences. The Calligraphy trim elevated the experience with premium Nappa leather and a suede-like headliner. The Santa Fe offered ample storage and a smart hands-free power liftgate, though its cargo space was slightly less than some competitors, with 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 72.1 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse prioritized space and practicality. While the RS, Premier, and High Country trims featured captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven, they offered a wide pass-through for easy third-row access. The Traverse's interior was spacious, with generous legroom and headroom, though some found the captain's chairs lacking in leg support. The Smart Slide second-row seats and large door openings facilitated entry and exit. The Traverse boasted abundant storage, including hidden compartments, and offered 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 98.2 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy was packed with advanced technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a surround-view camera system, and an 8.5-inch color head-up display. The infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the 8-inch screen, while the 10.25-inch screen provided upgraded voice recognition and Blue Link connected services. Blue Link offered a range of features, including remote engine start and climate control adjustments, though it lacked a WiFi hotspot. Hyundai's Digital Key and Remote Smart Parking Assist added convenience, allowing for keyless operation and remote parking.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, and a WiFi hotspot. The Traverse's infotainment system was user-friendly, with excellent voice recognition capabilities. The RS trim included a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The Traverse also offered a digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe impressed with its comprehensive safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, Safe Exit Assist, and a rear-occupant alert system. The Blind-Spot View Monitor and Highway Driving Assist added to its safety credentials. The Santa Fe earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with high marks for crashworthiness and front crash-prevention technology.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with Chevy Safety Assist, offering forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. While the Traverse's driving aids were generally effective, it lacked advanced systems like lane-centering assist. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision tests, though it rated "Acceptable" in a new side-impact test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of writing.