2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada, a close relative of the Nissan Patrol, received a significant facelift, aligning it with Nissan's new signature exterior design. The SUV retained its traditional beefy and athletic body styling while incorporating modern elements like a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED headlights and taillights. The Armada was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum grades, with the Midnight Edition Package exclusive to the SL trim. The highest Platinum trim featured body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield and front side windows. Depending on the trim, the Armada rode on 18-, 20-, or 22-inch aluminum alloy wheels, with upper trims offering a full-size spare tire. The new Nissan logo was prominently displayed on the grille, rear, steering wheel, and wheel caps.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often seen as a glorified minivan, offered a stylish and practical alternative for those needing an SUV without the bulk and expense of larger models. Prices started at $33,700 for the base LS with front-wheel drive, while the top-tier High Country cost $53,400. The Traverse received a light restyle for 2022, featuring new headlights, taillights, a fresh front bumper, modified grille designs, and redesigned aluminum wheels. The RS trim, which we tested, included 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 appealing vehicles in its segment.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a robust Endurance 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque when using premium fuel. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with automatic four-wheel drive available. Despite its hefty weight of over 6,000 pounds, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers, and up to 9.2 inches of ground clearance. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The Armada's towing capacity was a best-in-class 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

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 size, and the SUV achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, with good road feel and handling. However, it was noted that the SUV felt softer at higher speeds, and the RS trim's all-season tires were not particularly impressive.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality and functionality for families, with standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen was a standout feature, though its placement made some controls difficult to reach. The Armada's first- and second-row seats provided ample comfort, with power-adjustable options and available captain's chairs. However, the third-row seating was less comfortable for adults. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The high load floor made loading and unloading challenging, and small-item storage in the cabin was limited.

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 RS trim included 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 third-row access easier. The Traverse offered generous legroom and headroom in the second row, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. Cargo space was 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Traverse also featured hidden storage compartments and ample small-item storage.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with navigation, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available upgrades included a wireless charging pad, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, a rearview camera mirror, and a second-row entertainment system. The Armada Platinum trim came with all these features as standard. The analog tachometer and speedometer, along with a functional steering wheel, provided limited control over the driver information screen and infotainment system.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in LS and LT Cloth models, while other trims featured an 8-inch high-definition display. The Premier and High Country trims included an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. Both infotainment systems supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch system also offered navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and expanded in-vehicle apps, including Alexa Built-in. A Bose premium sound system was standard from the RS trim upwards. The Traverse's voice recognition system was praised for its accuracy and responsiveness, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, though it received a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA due to a 23.7-percent rollover risk. Standard safety features included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard features were adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear door alert. Optional features included a rear camera mirror and surround-view camera system. However, the Armada lacked advanced driving assist technologies like Nissan ProPilot Assist or Super Cruise.

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. The optional Safety Package for the LS trim added rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse Premier and High Country trims featured Chevy’s Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS had not fully rated the Traverse at the time of writing, but it received top "Good" ratings in most collision tests. The NHTSA had not published 2022 Traverse crash-test ratings.