2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson presented a more conventional design compared to its futuristic successor, appealing to those who preferred a traditional small crossover aesthetic. Its upright layout offered a commanding view of the road, while the interior boasted a modern and attractive dash design. The tech features were seamlessly integrated into the overall aesthetic, with every button and dial easily accessible. The Tucson was available in several trims, including SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a crossover SUV that offered a more traditional SUV look, with a light restyle for the model year that included new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The Traverse was available in several trims, with the RS trim featuring blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The interior of the Traverse RS was equipped with black leather upholstery and gloss black trim, though it had a mix of materials with some hard plastic surfaces. The design was simple and logical, with matte-finish black switchgear that reduced glare and made controls easy to use.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options: a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine available on higher trims, delivering 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and came with standard front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. The base engine was underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson had a comfortable and refined ride, with a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds with the 2.4-liter engine.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured 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 had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and the SUV delivered a firm yet compliant ride quality. The Traverse's fuel economy was rated at 20 mpg in combined driving, with our test vehicle achieving 20.9 mpg. On the highway, the Traverse excelled, though it had more road and wind noise than desired.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it provided adequate space for weekend trips. The Tucson's front seats offered solid headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seating for long trips. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The Tucson also featured numerous cubbies and compartments for storage.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, with its RS trim, offered seating for seven due to the inclusion of second-row captain's chairs. The Traverse provided generous legroom, headroom, and foot room for second-row passengers, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third-row seat was accessible via a wide pass-through and Smart Slide second-row seats. Cargo space behind the third-row seats measured 23 cubic feet, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet with all seats down. The Traverse also featured hidden storage compartments and ample storage solutions throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly, with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LS and LT Cloth models, with an 8-inch high-definition display on higher trims. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The Traverse also featured Teen Driver technology and an available Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, enhancing the overall infotainment experience. The Traverse's available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system improved visibility and maneuverability.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Higher trims offered additional features such as adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" from the IIHS.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured Chevy Safety Assist as standard, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features were available through optional packages and higher trims, including adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. 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.