2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Land Rover Defender

The 2021 Land Rover Defender carried a rich legacy dating back to 1948, with its design inspired by the Willys Jeep. Over the years, the Defender evolved through various iterations, maintaining its distinctive look and character. The new Defender aimed to echo the vibe of its predecessors while incorporating modern elements. It featured half-round LED headlights, a structural-looking grille, and flat-topped fenders with a diamond-plate pattern. The interior emphasized exposed structure, with a dash held between horizontal beams and beefy controls, blending ruggedness with luxury.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, though often seen as a glorified minivan, offered a practical and stylish alternative for those needing an SUV without the bulk and expense of larger models. Starting at $33,700, the Traverse featured a light restyle for 2022, including new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, with its blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, presented an appealing look. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with contrast stitching, a black headliner, and gloss black trim, though hard plastic surfaces were prevalent.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender offered two powertrains in the U.S.: a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid setup with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD with low range and Terrain Response were standard. The Defender's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a 30.1-degree approach angle, 37.6-degree departure angle, and a maximum wading depth of 35.4 inches. On-road, the Defender was quick, with the 2.0-liter model reaching 0-60 mph in 7.7 seconds and the 3.0-liter in 5.8 seconds. It also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,200 pounds.

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 Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road driving modes available. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's bulk, and the SUV returned an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, though it could feel disconnected from the road at higher speeds. Its handling was predictable, making it easy to trust.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender rode on a unibody platform shared with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Discovery, using aluminum for weight reduction and strength. Its four-wheel independent multi-link air suspension enhanced both on-road and off-road performance. The Defender offered flexible seating options, including a jump seat between the front seats and a third-row seat in the long-wheelbase 110 model. Cargo space was generous, with 34-34.6 cubic feet behind the second row in the 110 and 15.6 cubic feet in the 90. The 110 model had a maximum cargo capacity of 78.8 cubic feet.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in RS, Premier, and High Country trims, featured captain’s chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to seven. The Traverse RS had 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 seat easier. Cargo space was ample, 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 Traverse also had hidden storage compartments behind the infotainment screen and under the cargo floor.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender used Land Rover's Electronic Vehicle Architecture 2.0, allowing for remote software updates. The Pivi Pro infotainment system featured a 10-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Multiple camera views, including a "transparent hood" view, were available. The audio system could be upgraded to a Meridian sound system with up to 14 speakers. A full-color head-up display and a ClearSight rear-view mirror were also available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in LS and LT Cloth models, while other trims had an 8-inch high-definition display. The system included Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel and an integrated navigation system. The RS trim came with a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The Traverse's voice recognition system was effective, and the digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera were useful features.

The 2021 Land Rover Defender had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS but came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including a perimeter alarm, front airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, roll stability control, emergency braking, blind spot assist, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree parking aid. The Defender underwent extensive durability testing, ensuring its robustness in various conditions.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which 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 adaptive cruise control, a higher-speed automatic emergency braking system, 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 had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Traverse at the time of writing.