2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse outwardly embraced the aesthetic of a larger, more rugged crossover SUV rather than the conventional minivan it is often likened to. With prices starting at $33,700 for the base LS model and reaching up to $53,400 for the luxury High Country trim, it offered a diverse range of options. One particular strength for the Traverse was its light restyle for 2022, introducing new headlights and taillights, a refreshed front bumper, and a modified grille. The RS trim, tested here, came with appealing dark gray 20-inch wheels and extensive blacked-out trim details, making it stand out especially in silver.

The interior of the RS trim was a blend of black leather upholstery with red and light gray contrast stitching, adding a touch of refinement. However, there were some less appealing aspects such as the extensive use of hard plastic on the upper door panels. Despite this, the layout was praised for its logical arrangement with matte-finish switchgear and user-friendly controls for both the stereo and climate systems.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, being a more mature crossover SUV, continued to build on its reliable reputation. The RAV4's design melded modern crossover cues with distinct angular wheel arches, crisp body lines, and expressive lighting elements. Its fit and finish were characteristically top-notch, maintaining Toyota’s reputation for build quality.

Inside, the RAV4 featured a layered dashboard design with contrasting textures and colors. The center touchscreen was thoughtfully placed for minimum driver distraction. Details like the geometric circuit-board-inspired patterns added unique touches across the interior. Our Adventure-trim test vehicle, equipped with the 19-inch matte gray alloy wheels, further exemplified this thoughtful design approach.

The Chevrolet Traverse offered a straightforward choice with its sole 3.6-liter V6 engine providing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse was versatile, featuring a tow rating of 5,000 pounds and multiple driving modes including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6's power delivery, while sometimes whiny, was well-matched to the vehicle's size and weight, achieving a commendable 20.9 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse’s ride offered a firm yet compliant experience, though highway travel induced some road and wind noise. Its handling was notably predictable and offered a flat cornering attitude, despite feeling somewhat disconnected at higher speeds.

On the performance front, the RAV4 presented more variety with three powertrain options. Our Adventure AWD test model featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine outputting 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. This setup offered smooth power delivery with no turbo lag, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RAV4 also excelled in fuel efficiency, scoring an impressive 30 mpg in combined driving for FWD models, slightly lower for AWD variants. Additionally, the RAV4’s sporty handling benefited from dynamic torque vectoring and Multi-Terrain Select tuning, providing a more engaging driving experience than its SUV appearance might suggest.

Chevrolet’s Traverse was spacious but had limitations in seating configurations at higher trims. Our RS trim reduced capacity to seven passengers with its second-row captain’s chairs. The cabin was equipped with power-adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. Second-row passengers enjoyed generous legroom and a Smart Slide function eased access to the third-row seats. Behind the third row, the Traverse offered 23 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet with seats folded, which was impressive but still less than some competitors.

In contrast, the RAV4, while smaller, used its space efficiently. It provided 37.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the second row and could expand to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats down. Payload capacity ranged from 1,050 to 1,230 pounds based on configuration. While the RAV4’s third row could accommodate adults more comfortably than many in its class, its cargo space and payload were significant advantages, especially for a vehicle classified as a small SUV.

Chevrolet's Traverse featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen for base models, upgraded to an 8-inch high-definition display on higher trims. The system supported Bluetooth for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and included a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen systems also offered an integrated navigation system and more in-vehicle apps like Alexa Built-in. However, the sound quality of the Bose premium setup was underwhelming, and the rearview visibility depended heavily on the available digital mirror and camera systems.

Toyota's RAV4 presented robust tech features across all trims. The base model included a 7-inch touchscreen, which increased to a 9-inch on the XLE and above. Key tech features encompassed Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a range of connected services with extensive trial periods. Higher trims and the RAV4 Prime added significant upgrades like an 11-speaker JBL audio system, bird’s-eye view camera, and a 10-inch head-up display. The extensive availability of USB ports, auxiliary power outlets, and wireless charging, particularly on the RAV4 Prime, underscored its technological edge.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came fully equipped with Chevy Safety Assist, a comprehensive bundle including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control, rear pedestrian alert, and an upgraded Safety Alert Seat. While the Traverse performed well in most crash tests, it hadn’t been fully rated by IIHS and NHTSA at the time of the review.

Toyota's RAV4 shined with its standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite, offering pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic braking. The RAV4 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick and a five-star rating from NHTSA, reflecting its superior safety performance.