2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Lexus GX

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 but didn't want to invest in a larger, more expensive, and less fuel-efficient vehicle. Starting at $33,700, the Traverse provided a range of trims, with the High Country model reaching $53,400. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup, though its 7.5-inch ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities to mild terrains.

For 2022, the Traverse received a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, and updated grille designs. Special appearance packages like the Redline Edition added blacked-out trim for a sportier look. The RS trim, which was tested, featured black leather upholstery with red and light gray stitching, and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The interior design was simple and logical, with matte-finish black switchgear and easy-to-use stereo controls. However, the use of hard plastic on upper door panels was a downside.

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, had a commanding presence. The Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability and exclusive paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's short wheelbase and minimal overhangs suggested it was built for off-road adventures. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and disappointment, with an abundance of plastic materials. The GX's low sales volume meant Lexus had to keep manufacturing costs low, resulting in a dated design.

Despite the plastic, the GX offered luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and a power-retracting steering wheel. The V8 engine provided a linear power delivery, making it feel powerful without much effort. However, its 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque were modest compared to newer engines. The GX's weight affected its handling, but its predictable roll and strong brakes made it manageable. The Torsen limited-slip differential and 4WD system enhanced its off-road capabilities.

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. It 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, while a bit whiny under acceleration, provided adequate power for the Traverse's size. The AWD model had an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg combined, and the test vehicle returned 20.9 mpg.

The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, absorbing smaller road imperfections well. However, it required careful speed management over larger bumps to avoid scraping the front air dam. On the highway, the Traverse excelled, though road and wind noise were noticeable. In mountainous terrain, the V6 engine, Active Return Assist steering, and Duralife brakes performed admirably, with the suspension limiting body roll. However, the RS trim's all-season tires and the vehicle's tendency to feel disconnected at higher speeds were drawbacks.

The 2023 Lexus GX's defining feature was its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While not impressive on paper, the V8's linear power delivery and satisfying sound made it appealing to some. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds but lagged behind other SUVs in fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The GX's weight affected its handling, causing it to roll through corners, but the roll was predictable and controllable. The steering was vague off-center, but road feel was communicative. The brakes were strong and reliable, though stopping from high speeds required significant effort. The Torsen limited-slip differential and 4WD system, along with features like downhill assist and hill-start assist, made the GX capable off-road. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) further enhanced its on- and off-road performance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS, Premier, or High Country trims, offered seating for seven with second-row 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 third-row access easier. The all-black cabin was comfortable, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support for adults.

The Traverse's third-row seat was spacious enough for adults if the second-row seats were adjusted forward. Storage space was abundant, with hidden compartments behind the infotainment screen and under the cargo floor. Cargo space measured 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet with both rows folded. These numbers were competitive within its segment.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep center console bin and a handy space for a phone. The cupholders were conveniently placed, but the door pockets were small. The GX retained physical controls, which were a blessing for those who preferred hard buttons over touchscreens. The center console lid had sliding mechanisms for adjustable armrests, and the second-row captain's chairs were comfortable with fold-out cupholders.

The third row, however, was too tight for regular use, even for children. The side-hinged trunk door required effort to open and offered only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Folding the third row down provided 46.7 cubic feet, and with both rows folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than a Toyota RAV4.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in LS and LT Cloth models, while higher trims had an 8-inch high-definition display. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. Teen Driver technology allowed parents to monitor their child's driving.

The 8-inch touchscreen system offered navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and Alexa Built-in. A Bose premium sound system was standard on RS trim and above. The voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, enhancing the user experience. The digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera were valuable features for improved visibility and maneuvering.

The 2023 Lexus GX's 10.3-inch touchscreen was a significant improvement over the previous system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo.

However, the GX's infotainment system lagged behind newer Lexus models, with slower response times and less crisp graphics. The GX's off-road capabilities were more impressive, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and Off-Road Package further enhanced its off-road performance.

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 added rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Higher trims like RS, Premier, and High Country included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and rear pedestrian alert. The Traverse's driving aids were generally accurate and user-friendly. The IIHS had not fully rated the 2022 Traverse, but it received top "Good" ratings in most collision tests. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings at the time of writing.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. Despite its older design, the GX included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While it lacked some top-end features, its safety technology was relatively up-to-date.