2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its predecessor's design, adopting a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package added roof rails and a shark fin antenna, enhancing its sporty appearance. The front featured an expanded tiger-nose grille and distinctive headlights, while a silver accent along the side added visual interest. Despite a large D-pillar that seemed to promise a blind spot, the Sorento's overall design was modern and stylish, with vertical taillights that aged gracefully. Inside, the Sorento offered high-value features like heated mirrors, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with varying seat adjustments across trims. The panoramic sunroof provided ample light, though it occasionally let in too much heat during a long road trip. The interior materials, especially in the SX Prestige, exceeded expectations with real perforated leather, though more thigh support was desired.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often compared to a minivan, offered a stylish and practical SUV alternative. It featured a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with optional appearance packages like the Redline Edition. The RS trim, with its blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, was particularly appealing. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with contrast stitching and a logical layout. However, hard plastic surfaces were prevalent, even on upper door panels. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with matte-finish black switchgear reducing glare. The Traverse's interior was spacious, with Smart Slide second-row seats and a wide pass-through for easy third-row access. Despite some shortcomings in material quality, the Traverse's design and functionality made it a strong contender in its segment.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. However, the test vehicle featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. This setup provided ample power for highway driving and merging. The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and electric motor. The AWD system with torque vectoring and a center-locking differential enhanced traction, while the X-Line package added ride height and 20-inch wheels. The suspension, with McPherson struts and a multi-link setup, ensured a smooth ride. Various drive modes, including Eco, Normal, and Sport, allowed for tailored driving experiences, though the vehicle's weight led to some body lean in corners.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse's tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, with Tow/Haul mode available for towing tasks. The V6 engine provided adequate power for family transport, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg combined for AWD models. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, though it required caution over speed humps and drainage dips. On the highway, it excelled, though road and wind noise were noticeable. In mountainous terrain, the Traverse felt athletic, with limited body roll and predictable handling. However, the RS trim's tires and the vehicle's tendency to feel disconnected at higher speeds were drawbacks.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, while a three-row SUV, was best suited as a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, with ample legroom in the front and rear. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, but folding the seats expanded it to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento offered practical storage solutions, including a phone spot, cupholders, and a center console bucket. However, its total cargo volume was more in line with compact crossovers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, with its RS, Premier, and High Country trims, featured captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The RS trim included power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The Smart Slide function and long rear doors facilitated third-row access. The Traverse's interior was spacious, with generous legroom and headroom, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third row accommodated adults if the second row was adjusted. Storage was abundant, with hidden compartments and ample cargo space. The Traverse offered 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet, making it one of the roomiest in its segment.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. The larger screen required a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and its layout limited usable space. The Sorento included numerous USB ports but lacked USB-C. The optional Bose stereo was underwhelming, and the navigation system needed improvement. Most drivers would likely rely on smartphone integration for navigation.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8-inch display on higher trims, with an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel on Premier and High Country trims. Both systems supported Bluetooth for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services. The 8-inch system included navigation, SiriusXM 360L, and Alexa Built-in. The Bose sound system was standard on RS trim but unimpressive. The Traverse's infotainment system was user-friendly, with excellent voice recognition. Visibility was generally good, with a digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhancing safety.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came with a robust suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and auto high beams. The test car also had a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, though lower trims had poorly rated headlights.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse included Chevy Safety Assist as standard, with features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse's driving aids were generally accurate and could be adjusted through the infotainment system. The IIHS had not fully rated the Traverse, but it received top ratings in most collision tests. The NHTSA had not published ratings at the time of writing.