2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, a product of the Swedish brand now owned by Geely Holding Group, showcased a refined and elegant design. Built on Volvo’s SPA platform, the XC60 shared its architecture with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. Its exterior featured a sophisticated two-box design with short overhangs, an upright grille adorned with Volvo’s iron mark logo, and distinctive Thor’s hammer-shaped LED headlights. The paint quality, chrome, and trim were meticulously executed, and the large alloy wheels added a fashionable touch. Inside, the XC60’s cabin exuded a serene, Scandinavian style with clean lines, authentic materials, and a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen. The attention to detail, such as the elegant HVAC vents, contributed to its near-luxury status.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, despite being a glorified minivan, offered a compelling SUV alternative with a starting price of $33,700. The Traverse received a light restyle for 2022, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, with its blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, added a touch of sportiness. The Traverse’s design was characterized by crisply tailored lines and tasteful details, making it one of the most appealing vehicles in its segment. Inside, the RS trim featured black leather upholstery with red and light gray contrast stitching, black carpets, and gloss black trim. While the materials were a mixed bag, the overall design was simple and logically laid out, with user-friendly switchgear and controls.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 models produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 models delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 models, being plug-in hybrids, combined a gasoline engine with an 87-hp electric motor, resulting in a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The top-of-the-line T8 Polestar Engineered variant pushed these figures to 415 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60’s AWD system and torque vectoring provided excellent handling, and the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. Fuel economy ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with the T8 achieving 57 MPGe in electric-only mode.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, mated to 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, and the SUV returned an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg combined. The Traverse’s ride quality was generally pleasant, though it could feel disconnected from the road at higher speeds. The suspension limited body roll, and the handling was predictable, making it easy to trust.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in providing comfort and functionality. The front seats were highly adjustable and heated, making them ideal for cold weather. The heating system, rear glass heater, and windshield defroster performed exceptionally well in sub-freezing temperatures. The cabin featured smart storage solutions, intuitive controls, and ample cargo space. The XC60 offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 63.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It also had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while lacking a second-row bench seat in higher trims, offered comfortable seating for seven with 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 accessing the third row easier. The Traverse provided generous legroom and headroom in the second row, though the captain’s chairs lacked leg support. The third-row seat was suitable for adults, though not as comfortable as in some competitors. The Traverse excelled in storage space, 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 the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which used a tablet-style touchpad interface. The system’s portrait orientation and familiar gestures made it intuitive for frequent iPad users, though it required a learning curve. The Sensus system offered Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system provided exceptional sound quality. Volvo’s On Call app added vehicle-specific functionality, including remote locking and starting.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim. The higher trims featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. The infotainment system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch system included navigation, SiriusXM 360L, and 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 performed well, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo’s commitment to safety. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA. The XC60 came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision avoidance, and various mitigation systems. Volvo’s semi-autonomous Pilot Assist system was available, integrating adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The XC60’s top speed was limited to 112 mph for safety reasons.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured Chevy Safety Assist as standard, including 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, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and rear pedestrian alert. The Traverse received top “Good” ratings in most IIHS collision tests, though it rated “Acceptable” in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Traverse at the time of writing.