2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed as an electric vehicle from the ground up, showcasing a distinctive look that set it apart from Volkswagen's gasoline models. It featured a streamlined profile with wheels pushed out to the corners, eschewing the straight lines and sharp angles of the Tiguan and Atlas crossovers. The ID.4's design was part of Volkswagen's EV-specific MEB platform, following the European-market ID.3 hatchback. Despite its SUV-like styling, the ID.4 didn't quite look like an SUV, similar to other EV crossovers like the Chevy Bolt EUV and Hyundai Kona Electric. Inside, the ID.4 blended Volkswagen's minimalism with a tech-focused aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic finishes. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while higher trims offered leatherette upholstery.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, was a practical choice for those needing a family SUV without the bulk and expense of larger models. Starting at $33,700, the Traverse offered a range of trims, with the High Country model costing $53,400. It featured a light restyle for 2022, including new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, which we tested, included blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The Traverse's design was praised for its restrained styling, with crisply tailored lines and tasteful details. Inside, the RS trim featured black leather upholstery with red and light gray contrast stitching, though hard plastic surfaces were prevalent. The interior layout was simple and logical, with easy-to-use controls and a comfortable ride quality.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This made it the first rear-wheel-drive Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. An all-wheel-drive version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4's RWD setup provided balanced handling, though it wasn't particularly sporty, with a focus on comfort over performance. The electric motor's instantaneous torque made city driving enjoyable, but the car exhibited significant body roll in corners. Volkswagen opted for a more traditional braking system, with limited regenerative braking, to provide a familiar experience for drivers transitioning from gasoline cars.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse had a tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, though it could whine under acceleration. The official EPA fuel economy rating for the AWD model was 20 mpg combined, and our test vehicle returned 20.9 mpg. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, with good handling on twisty roads and a comfortable highway experience. However, it exhibited more road and wind noise than ideal, and the RS trim's tires were not particularly impressive.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 offered more front and rear headroom than many competitor EVs, though legroom was average for the segment. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded, more than several EV rivals but less than gasoline models like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The ID.4 lacked a front trunk, but its interior felt spacious, with good forward visibility. However, rearward visibility was hindered by thick rear pillars and a small back window. The ID.4 featured a unique twist-grip gear selector and a narrow center console with limited storage space. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, providing efficient cabin heating in cold weather.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in RS, Premier, or High Country trims, offered seating for seven with second-row captain's chairs. 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 made third-row access easier. The Traverse's all-black cabin was comfortable, with generous legroom and headroom in the second row, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third-row seat was adequate for adults if the second-row seats were slid forward. The Traverse offered abundant storage, including 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 the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with an optional 12-inch screen) featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 5.3-inch display screen served as the instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replaced most physical controls. While the setup looked modern, it was difficult to use due to the lack of tactile feedback. The ID.4 also included a natural-language voice-control system and the ID.Light feature, a light strip at the base of the windshield that communicated information to the driver. Despite some gimmicky features, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on LS and LT Cloth models, while higher trims featured an 8-inch high-definition display. The Premier and High Country trims also included an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. Both systems supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services like a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch system could be upgraded with navigation, SiriusXM 360L, and more in-vehicle apps, including Alexa Built-in. The RS trim came with a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The Traverse's voice recognition system was quick and accurate, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility and maneuverability.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The ID.4 also introduced Travel Assist, which added automated lane centering to the adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to stop the car if the driver was incapacitated. Travel Assist performed well, smoothly following curves and responding to acceleration and deceleration.

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. The optional Safety Package for the LS trim added rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse Premier and High Country trims featured a vibrating Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2022 Traverse's headlight or driving-assistance systems, but it received top "Good" ratings in most collision tests. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 model at the time of writing.