2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a practical choice for those who needed the utility of a minivan but preferred the aesthetics of an SUV. It offered a range of trims from the base LS to the luxurious High Country, with prices starting at $33,700. The Traverse featured a light restyle for 2022, with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with various appearance packages. The RS trim, in particular, stood out with its blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with contrast stitching, though the use of hard plastics was a downside. The interior layout was simple and logical, with user-friendly controls for the stereo and climate systems.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid presented a more refined and luxurious experience. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models were visually similar to their non-hybrid counterparts, with subtle differences like badge placement. The RX 500h stood out with its performance-oriented design, featuring a blacked-out grille and aggressive styling. Inside, the RX offered a minimalistic and contemporary design, with high-quality materials like Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim in the RX 350h Luxury. The RX 500h F Sport Performance featured a sportier interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. Lexus had not announced prices for the 2023 RX models, but estimates suggested the RX 350h Luxury would be just over $60,000, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance would approach $70,000.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a single engine option, a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It had a tow rating of 5,000 pounds and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and it achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, with good handling characteristics, though it could feel disconnected on undulating roads.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, and was expected to average 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, used a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but was expected to achieve only 27 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h offered a more engaging driving experience with its adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering, though its fuel economy fell short of expectations.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious interior with seating for up to seven passengers in RS, Premier, and High Country trims, due to the inclusion of second-row captain's chairs. The RS trim featured 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. The Traverse provided ample cargo space, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, the third-row seats required the second-row seats to be slid forward for folding.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, especially in the RX 350h Luxury trim, which featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance offered eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat resulted in excellent leg support but limited rear headroom. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some competitors.

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. The RS trim featured a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The Traverse's voice recognition system was effective, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring a subscription for full functionality. The system included a cloud-based navigation system, Intelligent Assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RX's infotainment system had some drawbacks, such as limited screen menu views and reflections on the display. The available head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel was a notable feature, though it had usability issues with polarized sunglasses.

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. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and rear pedestrian alert. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction for adaptive cruise control. The RX also offered Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained a safe following distance and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. The RX's safety features generally operated with refinement, though some aspects, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had room for improvement.