2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, despite being a crossover SUV, was often seen as a glorified minivan due to its conventional rear doors instead of sliding ones. It offered a practical solution for those who needed an SUV without the higher costs and lower fuel efficiency of larger models. Starting at $33,700, the Traverse lineup extended to the High Country trim at $53,400, with AWD available across all trims. The 2022 model received a light restyle, including new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated color choices and appearance packages like the Redline Edition.

Our test vehicle, the RS trim, featured blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, making it one of the more appealing vehicles in its segment. The interior of the RS trim was equipped with black leather upholstery, red and light gray contrast stitching, and gloss black trim. However, the use of hard plastic on the upper door panels was a downside. The interior layout was simple and logical, with matte-finish black switchgear and easy-to-use stereo controls. The MSRP for our silver RS test vehicle, including AWD and a Dual SkyScape Sunroof, was $48,895.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, in contrast, had a more conservative exterior styling compared to some of Hyundai's recent designs. The five-passenger SUV continued with the same look and feel as the 2022 model, available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy. Our test vehicle, the top-of-the-line Calligraphy AWD trim, featured Stormy Sea paint and a black-on-black interior, with a base price of $42,600. Including AWD and other options, the total MSRP was $45,845.

The Santa Fe's exterior was distinguished by its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights. Inside, the Calligraphy trim's black interior with Nappa leather seats provided a high-quality look and feel, though it was somewhat dark and monotone. The cabin featured heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, and a range of comfort and convenience features. The extended panoramic sunroof and head-up display were notable highlights, though the wide center console slightly compromised driver leg and hip space.

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, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in combined driving. Our test vehicle returned 20.9 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride quality, absorbing smaller road imperfections well. However, it required careful handling over speed humps and drainage dips to avoid scraping the front air dam. On the highway, the Traverse excelled, though road and wind noise were more pronounced than preferred. The V6 drivetrain, Active Return Assist steering, and Duralife brakes performed well in mountainous terrain, providing a flat cornering attitude. However, the RS trim's all-season tires and the vehicle's tendency to feel disconnected from the road at higher speeds were drawbacks.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The naturally aspirated engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine came with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD available as an option on all trims.

The turbocharged Santa Fe provided a significant performance boost, with immediate acceleration and passing power, especially in Sport mode. The turbocharged engine delivered brisk acceleration without undue noise or harshness. Handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering. The Santa Fe's ride quality was commendable, and the dual-clutch transmission operated smoothly without low-speed clunkiness. The turbocharged Santa Fe had a tow rating of 3,500 pounds, while the non-turbo version could tow 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse's RS, Premier, and High Country trims featured captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to seven. 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 facilitated easier access to the third-row seat. The all-black cabin of the RS trim was comfortable, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support for adults.

The Traverse offered ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space behind the third-row seats measured 23 cubic feet, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded flat. The maximum cargo volume was 98.2 cubic feet, making the Traverse one of the roomiest SUVs in its segment.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, provided more rear-seat legroom and additional cargo space. The rear-seat legroom measured 41.7 inches, among the best in its class. Cargo space behind the second row was 36.4 cubic feet, expanding to 72.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The Santa Fe also featured an underfloor storage compartment in the cargo area.

The Santa Fe's SEL and higher trims included an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats. The Limited trim added ventilated front seats, a power driver seat cushion extension, and heated rear seats. The Calligraphy trim featured a head-up display, premium door and seat accent trim, a microfiber headliner, and ambient lighting. The extended panoramic sunroof and head-up display were standout features, though the wide center console slightly compromised driver leg and hip space.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse LS and LT Cloth models came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while other trims featured an 8-inch high-definition display. The Premier and High Country trims included an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. Both infotainment systems offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen system was available with integrated navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and expanded connected services.

The Traverse's voice recognition system performed well, accurately responding to commands. The digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera were valuable features, enhancing visibility and maneuverability. However, the 8-inch touchscreen felt small compared to modern standards.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, with a standard 4.2-inch color LCD multi-information display in SE, SEL, and XRT trims, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in Limited and Calligraphy trims. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch display audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while other trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, voice recognition, wireless device charging, and Bluelink connected services. The Limited and Calligraphy trims included a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

The Santa Fe's infotainment system was user-friendly, with clearly marked home screen icons and logical arrangement. The voice-recognition system performed well for navigation-related commands but struggled with music requests and climate control adjustments. The system's capability for customization was impressive for a mass-market brand.

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 Traverse LS added rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The RS, Premier, and High Country trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse Premier and High Country trims also featured Chevy's vibrating Safety Alert Seat.

The Traverse's driving aids operated with accuracy and refinement, though it lacked a more advanced driving system combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The IIHS had not assigned a final rating for the 2022 Traverse, but it received top "Good" ratings in most collision-related tests. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Traverse at the time of writing.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety-related ADAS, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, driver monitoring, a safe-exit system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Highway Driving Assist, standard on SEL and above, combined adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability.

The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and the highest rating of "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS for the 2022 calendar year. The Santa Fe earned "Good" ratings in all crashworthiness tests, with the Limited and Calligraphy trims' projector-type headlights receiving higher marks than the lower trims' reflector-type units.