2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely due to its continuation of the previous generation's styling. The most notable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to adhere to the philosophy of not fixing what wasn't broken, maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim appeared plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the overall look was clean and unpretentious. The Sport models added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with a complementary paint color like Dark Blue Pearl. The Forester shared its Subaru Global Platform with other models, emphasizing its rugged SUV marketing, though it had always shared underpinnings with sedans and hatchbacks. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense interior featured durable materials, with the Sport trim adding orange accents. Cloth upholstery was standard on Base, Premium, and Sport models, while Limited and Touring trims offered leather. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats and other conveniences.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often compared to a minivan, offered a compelling option for those seeking an SUV without the bulk and expense of larger models. Starting at $33,700, the Traverse lineup extended to the High Country trim at $53,400. The 2022 model received a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated wheel options and color choices. The RS trim, positioned between the LS and LT models and the upscale Premier and High Country trims, featured blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The Traverse's styling was praised for its restraint, with crisp lines and tasteful details. The RS test vehicle, priced at $48,895, included AWD and a Dual SkyScape Sunroof. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with contrast stitching, black carpets, and gloss black trim. While hard plastic surfaces were prevalent, the design was logical, with matte-finish black switchgear reducing glare. The stereo controls and climate knobs were user-friendly, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, a hallmark of Subaru's design. The Forester's towing capacity was 1,500 pounds, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard. While adequate for most situations, the engine lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking. The suspension tuning prioritized comfort, resulting in a softly sprung ride with noticeable body roll in corners and bounce on uneven pavement. Subaru's AWD system was standard, featuring X-Mode for different surfaces, with Sport models offering Dual X-Mode. The Forester's 8.7 inches of ground clearance and hill-descent control on Premium and higher trims enhanced its off-road capabilities, though serious off-roaders might prefer alternatives like the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, mated to 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 ample power for the Traverse's size, though it was primarily tasked with family transport. The EPA rated the AWD Traverse at 20 mpg combined, with our test vehicle achieving 20.9 mpg. The Traverse's ride quality was firm yet compliant, absorbing smaller road imperfections. However, larger bumps required caution to avoid scraping the front air dam. On highways, the Traverse excelled, though road and wind noise were noticeable. In mountainous terrain, the Traverse demonstrated athleticism, with the V6 drivetrain, Active Return Assist steering, and Duralife brakes performing well. The suspension limited body roll, but the RS trim's all-season tires and softer feel at higher speeds detracted from the driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a spacious feel, though it allowed sunlight to raise cabin temperatures. Cargo space was ample, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded. While it surpassed some competitors in cargo capacity, it lacked a sliding second-row bench. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on Limited and Touring trims. The Forester's cupholders were well-sized, and the center console was reasonably spacious, though the phone-storage cubby was small, and wireless charging was unavailable. A power-adjustable driver's seat was not standard on the Base trim. The Forester's controls were user-friendly, though the steering wheel had numerous buttons.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS, Premier, or 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 facilitated third-row access. The all-black cabin was comfortable, with ample legroom and headroom, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third-row seat accommodated adults if the second-row passengers cooperated. Storage was abundant, with a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space measured 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with it folded, and 98.2 cubic feet maximum. While these figures fell short of the Tahoe, the Traverse remained one of the roomiest in its segment.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, front-row USB ports, and a CD player. Sport models upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio, while Limited and Touring trims added navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, though the screen was slow to boot. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, though the setup seemed overly complex.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen on LS and LT Cloth models, with an 8-inch high-definition display on higher trims. Premier and High Country trims included an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. Both systems supported Bluetooth for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services like a WiFi hotspot. Teen Driver technology was standard, providing a report card for young drivers. The 8-inch system offered navigation, SiriusXM 360L, and Alexa Built-in. A Bose premium sound system was standard on RS trim, though it lacked impact. The Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 technology was praised for its voice recognition capabilities. Visibility was generally good, with a digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhancing safety.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS, with top ratings in all crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. Subaru's EyeSight system, standard on the Forester, included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The DriverFocus system monitored driver distraction. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and more. A Safety Package added rear parking assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA ratings were pending.