2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Subaru Ascent

When the 2021 Subaru Ascent was introduced, it filled a significant gap in Subaru's lineup, offering a three-row SUV that had been missing since the poorly received Tribeca. The Ascent's design was a scaled-up version of Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, making it instantly recognizable as part of the Subaru family. The interior followed suit, with a dashboard design that mirrored other Subaru models, likely to create a sense of familiarity for buyers. The Ascent came in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each adding more features and luxury as you moved up the line.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, was a practical choice for those needing a family SUV without the bulk and expense of a larger vehicle. Starting at $33,700, the Traverse offered a range of trims from the base LS to the luxurious High Country. For 2022, the Traverse received a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated color choices and special appearance packages. Our test vehicle, the RS trim, featured blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels, making it one of the more stylish options in its segment. Inside, the Traverse RS came with black leather upholstery and a host of comfort features, although some materials felt a bit cheap for the price point.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Ascent excelled in everyday driving scenarios, offering a comfortable ride and responsive handling. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, it was well-suited for snowy conditions and light off-roading. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and came with Trailer Stability Assist as standard.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivered 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided ample power, although it could be a bit noisy under acceleration. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, making it comfortable for long highway drives. However, it struggled with larger road imperfections, and the front air dam was prone to scraping on speed humps and dips.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. It came standard with a power liftgate but lacked a hands-free option. The Ascent could seat up to eight passengers in its base configuration, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent also featured an impressive 19 cupholders and numerous storage compartments.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse provided 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet. The Traverse RS came with power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row captain’s chairs made it easier to access the third row, which could accommodate adults if the second-row seats were slid forward. The Traverse also featured hidden storage compartments and a Smart Slide function for the second-row seats, enhancing its practicality.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured Subaru's StarLink infotainment system with logical menus and large icons. It came with either a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, both supported by hard buttons and dials. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, four USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth. Optional features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen on the LS and LT Cloth models, while higher trims received an 8-inch high-definition display. The system supported Bluetooth for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims also featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel, integrated navigation, SiriusXM 360L, and a Bose premium sound system. The Traverse’s voice recognition system was particularly impressive, making it easy to use the infotainment features.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ thanks to its crash test results and Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Ascent also offered optional features like reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

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 features like adaptive cruise control, a rear pedestrian alert system, and Chevy’s Safety Alert Seat. The Traverse had not yet been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing, but it received top ratings in most collision-related tests.