2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Toyota 4Runner

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner had not seen a redesign in 12 years, making it a vehicle that retained much of its original character. While updates were made over the years, a used 4Runner was nearly identical to a new one, minus some modern infotainment and safety technologies. Its design, though not conventionally attractive, aged well with its two-box body, flared fenders, and trapezoidal wheel arches, giving it a timeless and utilitarian look. The 4Runner was available in various trims, including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition, which was priced at $38,565 MSRP for the RWD model. The 4Runner's interior featured hard plastic materials, a traditional dashboard with large knobs and buttons, and a manual air conditioning system, all contributing to its rugged charm.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a more modern and stylish appearance. It received a light restyle for the model year, including new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The Traverse was available in various trims, with the RS trim featuring blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The interior of the Traverse RS was equipped with black leather upholstery, red and light gray contrast stitching, and gloss black trim. While hard plastic surfaces were present, the overall design was simple and logically laid out. The Traverse's infotainment system was user-friendly, and the vehicle offered a comfortable ride with good road feel, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. It featured a part-time 4WD drivetrain with A-Trac off-road traction control. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, tackling mud, hills, and ruts with ease. However, on pavement, it felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with a rough ride and heavy steering. The 4Runner's fuel economy was also a drawback, averaging 16.8 mpg during testing, with an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered a tow rating of 5,000 pounds and various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The Traverse provided a pleasant ride quality, with a firm feel for the road and good handling characteristics. It returned an average of 20.9 mpg during testing, making it more fuel-efficient than the 4Runner. The Traverse's suspension limited body roll, and its handling was predictable, making it a comfortable and reliable choice for family road trips.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's high ground clearance made it challenging for shorter individuals to climb aboard, but once inside, it offered comfortable seating with good support. The rear seats provided ample legroom, visibility, and air conditioning vents. The 4Runner's cargo space measured up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 89.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The Trail Special Edition featured a sliding cargo deck and a large roof rack, adding to its practicality.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS trim, featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row captain's chairs provided generous legroom and headroom, though they lacked leg support. The third-row seat was accessible via the Smart Slide function and wide pass-through. The Traverse offered 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. It also had hidden storage compartments, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. It also featured a premium audio upgrade with dynamic navigation and voice recognition. The system was user-friendly, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs for easy operation.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on lower trims, while higher trims received an 8-inch high-definition display. The system included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The Traverse's voice recognition system was effective, and the digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera added to its convenience.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Marginal" rating for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision from the IIHS.

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, rear pedestrian alert, and the Safety Alert Seat feature. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test.