2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with other models in the Nissan lineup, such as the Armada and Rogue. The front of the Kicks featured a bold, double V-motion design, complemented by thinner, longer headlights that extended down the face of the vehicle. The top-tier Kicks SR trim boasted LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights, enhancing its sporty appearance. At the rear, a new bumper and LED taillight combination gave the Kicks a proportional look reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. However, the trunk release area appeared somewhat like an afterthought. The Kicks offered a variety of new paint options, including Electric Blue Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat, and continued to provide a two-tone paint job option, enhancing its upmarket appeal.

Inside, the Kicks maintained its familiar styling but incorporated higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra. The interior featured new seat and door designs, with the mid-range Kicks SV and SR models offering a full center console armrest. The Kicks SR trim came with LED headlights, black heated outside mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, contributing to its sporty aesthetic. Buyers could further customize their Kicks with over 100 million color combinations using Nissan Kicks Color Studio accessories. The interior offered ample space, with best-in-class front seat legroom, though the hip room was somewhat limited for larger drivers. The Kicks provided practical storage solutions, including a tonneau cover for hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often compared to a minivan, offered a practical and stylish option for those seeking an SUV. The Traverse lineup started at $33,700 for the base LS model, with the High Country trim reaching $53,400. The 2022 model received a light restyle, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated color choices. The RS trim, which sat above the LS and LT models, showcased blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, adding to its appeal. The Traverse's design was characterized by crisply tailored lines and tasteful details, making it one of the more attractive vehicles in its segment.

Inside, the Traverse RS offered black leather upholstery with red and light gray contrast stitching, creating a sophisticated yet slightly cave-like atmosphere. The interior layout was simple and logical, with matte-finish black switchgear reducing glare. The Traverse's infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy-to-use stereo controls and cabin temperature adjustments. The vehicle's spacious interior accommodated passengers comfortably, with generous legroom and headroom in the second row. However, the third-row seating was less comfortable for adults, though it offered better accommodations than many rivals. The Traverse provided ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with a single powertrain option, a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with Nissan's Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, offered a nimble driving experience. The Kicks' electric power-assisted steering and independent strut stabilizer bar suspension contributed to its agile handling, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. While the Kicks was not known for its power, it provided a good power-to-weight ratio for its size. The vehicle's fuel efficiency was impressive, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 33 mpg combined, offering a range of 356 miles on a single tank of gas.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse's V6 engine provided ample power for its size, and the vehicle's tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Traverse offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road, to suit different conditions. The V6 engine's performance was well-matched to the Traverse's bulk, and the vehicle returned an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse's ride quality was pleasant, with a firm feel for the road, though it could feel disconnected on undulating pavement. The vehicle's handling was predictable, and its suspension limited body roll, providing a flat cornering attitude.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a compact and user-friendly interior, with easy-to-reach buttons and knobs throughout the cabin. The vehicle provided good small-item storage, easy-access USB ports, and multiple smartphone storage options. The climate controls were intuitive, and the seat warmers and heated steering wheel added comfort in colder climates. The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable front seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat as standard. The vehicle's front seat legroom was best-in-class, though the hip room was somewhat limited for larger drivers. The Kicks provided practical storage solutions, including a tonneau cover for hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious interior with seating for up to seven passengers in the RS, Premier, and High Country trims, which featured captain's chairs in the second row. The Traverse RS came with 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. The Traverse provided generous legroom and headroom for second-row passengers, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults but offered better accommodations than many rivals. The Traverse provided ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. The vehicle's cargo space was generous, with 23 cubic feet behind the third-row seats, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a range of modern technology features, including a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and multiple USB ports. The Kicks SV added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch driver information screen. The Kicks SR Premium Package included a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system, providing an immersive audio experience. The vehicle also offered a surround-view monitor and a WiFi hotspot with NissanConnect services.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LS and LT Cloth models, while other trims received an 8-inch high-definition display. The Traverse offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen system included an integrated navigation system, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Alexa Built-in. The Traverse RS came with a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The vehicle's voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a suite of driver-assistance features including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kicks was equipped with 10 airbags, and the SV and SR trims included a driver alertness monitor and rear door alert. The 2020 Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, and the 2021 model was expected to perform similarly.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured Chevy Safety Assist as standard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Traverse RS, Premier, and High Country trims offered adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in collision-related tests from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Traverse at the time of writing.