2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander didn’t shy away from making an impression. Few would have accused it of blending into the vast array of midsize SUVs. Its wide headlights, long hood, and an assertive trapezoidal grille contributed to its distinctive look. The character line along its side echoed the sporty profile of the Supra, while its taillights carried hints of Lexus styling, albeit without the vertical elements. Despite maintaining its size, the Highlander appeared longer and lower than its predecessor, a design choice that added to its eye-catching presence.

Toyota introduced the XSE trim level in 2021, aimed at giving the Highlander a sportier facade. The aggressive front end, 20-inch wheels with black accents, unique front fascia, and lower spoiler were part of this trim. However, its sportiness was more cosmetic than functional, not competing with performance-focused models like the Ford Explorer ST.

The Limited trim level, which we tested, was elegant with chrome roof rails and accents. Inside, it shone with impressive fit and finish. The tan leather seats with dark brown accents and wood details (though not real) added a luxurious touch. The Highlander exuded a luxurious feel, especially in the Limited trim, with near-perfect panel fit and a silent cabin free from squeaks or rattles, making it a delight for comfort-focused consumers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, wasn’t trying to hide its minivan roots but wrapped them up in a more SUV-like appearance. Starting at $33,700, its price surged to $53,400 for the top-tier High Country trim. Its AWD system, though not built for rugged terrain, helped it tackle snow and mud with a ground clearance of 7.5 inches.

The 2022 model saw a subtle refresh with new headlights and taillights, an updated front bumper, grille designs, redesigned wheels, and fresh color options. Our RS-trim test vehicle boasted blacked-out trim, dark gray 20-inch wheels, and a stylish yet restrained design that made it appealing in its segment. The styling demonstrated a level of sophistication that was becoming less common in the SUV market.

Inside, the RS trim featured black leather upholstery with red and light gray stitching and gloss black trim, giving it a sleek, modern look. However, the ample use of hard plastics was a letdown, especially on areas like the upper door panels, where comfort would have been appreciated. Chevy’s simple, logically laid-out interior design made it user-friendly, with easy-to-use controls for the stereo and climate system. Despite being practical, the Traverse's interior lacked some of the Highlander's upscale flair.

Under the hood, the 2021 Toyota Highlander housed a reliable 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Available in both FWD and AWD, the Highlander’s powertrain offered a balance of performance and efficiency. While it wasn't designed for speed, it provided sufficient power for confident highway merging. Among its peers, the Highlander’s horsepower and torque were competitive, though it fell short of high-performance models like the Ford Explorer ST.

The Highlander's ride was characterized by a soft, comfortable suspension that prioritized passenger comfort over sporty handling. The XSE trim offered a slightly sportier ride with retuned springs, shock absorbers, and steering, adding a rear stabilizer bar. These tweaks improved handling marginally but didn’t transform it into a performance vehicle.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a robust 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Its towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, with specific driving modes like Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road for various terrains.

The V6 offered smooth power delivery, though it produced a noticeable whine under acceleration. In everyday driving, the Traverse provided a firm yet comfortable ride, absorbing small road imperfections well. Its fuel economy was respectable, with an AWD model achieving 20 mpg combined. On highways, the Traverse excelled with a pleasant ride quality, even though road and wind noise were more noticeable than preferred. It handled mountain roads with surprising agility, thanks to its V6 engine, responsive steering, and effective brakes, although the tires and lack of road connection at higher speeds were minor issues.

The interior functionality of the 2021 Toyota Highlander was defined by its ability to keep passengers comfortable and manage cargo effectively. The front featured practical shelves for large cell phones, with a small pass-through for charging cords leading to USB ports. Wireless charging was standard on higher trims, located within the center console.

Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with the second-row seats sliding forward and backward to adjust space. However, the third row was only suitable for adults if second-row passengers compromised on comfort. An odd feature was the rear-seat air vents positioned on the ceiling, directing air down on the passengers' heads.

Cargo space was a highlight and drawback for the Highlander. With all seats in place, it offered 16 cubic feet behind the third row, enough for small trips. Folding the third row expanded this to 48.4 cubic feet, while folding both the second and third rows provided a substantial 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space, making it practical for various hauling needs.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in contrast, had variations in seating depending on the trim. Higher trims (RS, Premier, and High Country) replaced the second-row bench with captain’s chairs, reducing maximum capacity from eight to seven.

Our RS test model included power-adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second row featured Smart Slide seats, which, combined with large rear doors, made accessing the third row easier. The black interior, although susceptible to heat without ventilated seats, offered comfortable space, though some passengers found the captain’s chairs lacking in leg support.

Adults could fit in the third row if second-row passengers adjusted their positions. Despite lacking the comfort of larger vehicles, the Traverse provided better third-row seating than many competitors, enhancing peace of mind regarding safety.

Storage areas were plentiful, with a notable hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and additional space under the cargo floor. Cargo capacity in the Traverse was generous, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet. Though it didn’t match the roominess of the Highlander, it was among the largest in its segment.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander’s technology varied by trim. Lower trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the Limited and Platinum trims offered an optional or standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, respectively. Both systems were user-friendly, though navigation performance varied, excelling with specific addresses but struggling with points of interest. Standard across all trims were Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ensuring connectivity.

The larger touchscreen in our test vehicle was bright and responsive, although its limited use of the full screen for certain functions called into question its value. The JBL audio system provided good sound quality but wasn’t exceptional, maintaining a balance between functionality and user-friendliness.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse equipped its base models with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims came with an 8-inch high-definition display. The Premier and High Country trims featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. Both infotainment systems supported Bluetooth connectivity for two devices simultaneously, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a suite of connected services, including a WiFi hotspot.

Additional features in higher trims included integrated navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, Alexa Built-in, and a Bose premium sound system. Despite its smaller screen size, the infotainment system’s underlying technology was robust, with voice recognition performing reliably. The visibility from the driver’s seat was generally good, enhanced by a digital rearview mirror and surround-view cameras in higher trims, addressing any sightline issues.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander came equipped with an upgraded suite of safety features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. This included advanced technologies like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, which could engage emergency braking when necessary. Other features included road-sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams.

Safety ratings were impressive, with the NHTSA awarding it five out of five stars and the IIHS naming it a Top Safety Pick+, reinforcing its reputation as a safe family vehicle.

Additional safety options for the LS trim included rear parking assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Premier and High Country trims included Chevy’s Safety Alert Seat.

While the Traverse's advanced driving aids operated with commendable precision, they lacked the more sophisticated lane-centering systems. The IIHS had not fully rated the Traverse at the time of writing, but it received top marks in collision-related tests, except for an “Acceptable” rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had yet to publish crash-test ratings for the 2022 Traverse.