2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Ford Expedition

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a practical choice for those who needed an SUV but didn't want the bulk and expense of a larger vehicle. It offered a balance between utility and style, with a design that included new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The Traverse RS trim, in particular, featured blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, the Traverse RS was equipped with black leather upholstery and a range of features like a heated steering wheel and triple-zone climate control. However, the use of hard plastic on upper door panels was a downside, and the interior, while logically laid out, could feel a bit cave-like due to its dark color scheme.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Expedition underwent significant updates, including a fresh exterior design with a new grille, headlights, and taillights. The Expedition offered a range of trims, including the off-road-focused Timberline and the stylish Stealth Edition. Inside, the Expedition boasted a redesigned dashboard with the new Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, offering a large touchscreen display and advanced connectivity features. The Limited Stealth Edition test vehicle featured leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, along with a spacious interior that provided ample room for passengers and cargo. Despite some issues with the infotainment system, the Expedition's technology and comfort made it a strong contender in the full-size SUV segment.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by 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. This setup provided adequate power for everyday driving, and the Traverse's tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The SUV offered different driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road, to adapt to various conditions. The Traverse's fuel economy was rated at 20 mpg in combined driving, and it returned 20.9 mpg during testing. While the V6 engine could whine under acceleration, it was generally well-suited to the vehicle's size. The Traverse handled well on highways and in mountainous areas, though its ride could feel disconnected on undulating roads.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in the test vehicle. With a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Expedition offered a towing capacity between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds, depending on the configuration. The Expedition's fuel economy ranged from 17 to 19 mpg in combined driving, with the test vehicle achieving 16.2 mpg. The twin-turbo V6 provided impressive power and a pleasing exhaust note, though it consumed more fuel when driven aggressively. The Expedition's ride quality was affected by its sport-tuned suspension and large wheels, leading to some harshness on uneven surfaces. However, it excelled on highways, offering a comfortable and quiet ride for long trips.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious interior with seating for up to seven passengers in RS, Premier, and High Country trims, which featured captain's chairs in the second row. The Traverse RS came with power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The Smart Slide function in the second row made accessing the third row easier, and the Traverse provided generous legroom and headroom for passengers. Cargo space was ample, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Traverse also featured hidden storage compartments for added convenience.

The 2022 Ford Expedition excelled in interior space and comfort, with power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain's chairs offered plenty of legroom and comfort, while the third-row seat provided good leg support and a power recline function. Cargo space behind the third row measured 19.3 cubic feet, with a maximum of 104.6 cubic feet when both rear rows were folded. The Expedition Max variant offered even more cargo capacity. The Expedition's interior was well-designed, with thoughtful storage solutions and easy access to the third row.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim level. The system offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and access to connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, enhancing the overall user experience. The Traverse also offered a digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera for improved visibility.

The 2022 Ford Expedition featured Ford's next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with a 12-inch or 15.5-inch touchscreen display. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, and a connected navigation system. Higher trims offered additional features like SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. The Sync 4A system had some quirks, such as issues with Apple CarPlay and voice recognition, but it was generally sophisticated and user-friendly. The Expedition also offered advanced technology like Pro Trailer Backup Assist 2.0 and an upgraded rear-seat entertainment system.

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, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features, such as rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, were available on higher trims. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA crash-test ratings were not available at the time of writing.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered a comprehensive suite of safety features through the Ford Co-Pilot360 collections. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and a surround-view camera system. The Expedition also offered Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving technology on approved highways. While the adaptive cruise control performed well, the lane-centering assist had some issues, such as steering the vehicle too close to other cars and issuing unnecessary warnings.