2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, despite its minivan roots, aimed to deliver an SUV experience without the hefty price tag of larger options. Starting at $33,700, the Traverse sported a fresh look for 2022 with new headlights, taillights, and updated bumper and grille designs, along with new color choices and redesigned aluminum wheels. For buyers seeking a little more flair, Chevrolet offered Redline, Midnight, and Sport Edition appearance packages featuring blacked-out trim. Our test vehicle, the RS trim, featured dark gray 20-inch wheels and black accents, making it visually appealing. Inside, the Traverse RS showcased black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching, ensuring it didn't feel overly gloomy, despite the liberal use of hard plastic surfaces.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Pilot embraced a complete redesign, presenting a more rugged and substantial appearance. Growing in dimensions by 3.4 inches in length, up to 1.5 inches in width, and 0.8 inches in height, the Pilot looked ready for adventure, particularly in its off-road-focused TrailSport model. This variant added a one-inch taller ride height, distinctive 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. Inside, the Pilot adopted a more conventional yet highly functional design, emphasizing practicality while maintaining an attractive aesthetic.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a single 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering a robust 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the Traverse to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Traverse offered driving modes for various conditions, including Tow/Haul, Snow, Normal, and Off-Road. Though the V6 whined a bit under acceleration, it provided ample power for most driving scenarios. The fuel economy for the AWD model was rated at 20 mpg combined, which matched our test results. The Traverse handled well on the highway, although it exhibited more road and wind noise than desired, and its steering and braking systems performed commendably in mountainous terrain. However, the vehicle's P255/55R20 all-season tires and soft suspension led to a disconnected feel on undulating roads.

The 2023 Honda Pilot introduced an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided quick acceleration and a pleasant engine note when pushed hard. The Pilot's brake pedal was soft but easy to modulate for smooth stops, suited to its family SUV purpose. Though not designed for sporty driving, the Pilot handled corners competently, with some body roll but no residual bouncing. The TrailSport model, with its increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, maintained on-road comfort while enhancing off-road capabilities. The Pilot was tuned for comfort over performance, with feather-light steering being an asset in tight spaces but feeling vague on highways.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a versatile but slightly limited seating arrangement, as RS, Premier, and High Country trims came only with captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The Traverse excelled in comfort with power-adjustable heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. Smart Slide second-row seats and long rear doors facilitated easy access to the third row. Though adults could fit in the third row with some adjustments, it wasn't as comfortable as the larger Chevy Tahoe. Cargo capacity behind the third row was generous at 23 cubic feet, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and maxing out at 98.2 cubic feet with all seats down. The Traverse also featured useful storage compartments, including a hidden one behind the infotainment screen.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's interior design focused on practicality, with entry-level trims featuring a seven-inch touchscreen and higher trims upgrading to a nine-inch display. The Pilot's second-row center seat was a standout feature, stowable under the cargo floor when not in use, providing a pass-through for third-row passengers. The second row offered ample space for adults, while the third row was less comfortable but adequate for short trips. The Pilot boasted 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 60.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat, and a maximum of 114.3 cubic feet, surpassing the Traverse and rival Kia Telluride by a significant margin.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse equipped its base models with a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims received an 8-inch high-definition display. The latter also included a new 8-inch digital instrumentation panel for Premier and High Country trims. Both infotainment systems supported Bluetooth connectivity for two devices simultaneously, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The voice recognition system was particularly effective, though the 8-inch touchscreen felt small by modern standards. Advanced trims featured a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert, while the RS trim came with a Bose premium sound system.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's EX-L trim level and above featured numerous tech upgrades, including a larger infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. The Elite trim added a head-up display and a fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system was user-friendly with quick responses, and the Touring and Elite trims included a navigation system, Bose premium audio, remote monitoring via a smartphone app, a WiFi hotspot, and a multi-view TrailWatch camera system for off-roading.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse made Chevy Safety Assist standard across all trims, offering features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and rear pedestrian alert. The Traverse performed well in collision tests by the IIHS, though it hadn't been fully assessed for 2022. NHTSA ratings were also pending.

The 2023 Honda Pilot came with standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims received additional features like low-speed automatic braking, front and rear parking sensors, and multi-view camera systems. The Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and was expected to receive top scores from NHTSA.