2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Volkswagen ID.4

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 featured a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated aluminum wheels and color choices. The RS trim, in particular, showcased blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, making it one of the more appealing vehicles in its segment. The interior of the Traverse RS was equipped with black leather upholstery, red and light gray contrast stitching, and gloss black trim, although the use of hard plastic on the upper door panels was a downside.

In contrast, the 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 had subtle styling changes, including gloss black trim on the front bumper and a more squared-off rear bumper design. The rear VW logo now lit up, adding a modern touch. The ID.4's interior carried over the minimalist design and quality feel from VW's gasoline models, with leatherette upholstery made partly from recycled fibers. The 2023 model also saw improvements in the center console design and the addition of three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine 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 Traverse's V6 engine provided adequate power, and it returned an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in combined driving. The ride quality was pleasant, though it could feel soft at higher speeds, and the handling was predictable but not particularly engaging.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 offered two battery pack options: a new 62-kWh pack for the base Standard and S models, and an 82-kWh pack for the Pro, Pro S, and Pro S Plus models. The single-motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD models delivered 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 240 pounds, improving acceleration and handling. The ID.4's regenerative braking system allowed for coasting in its default setting, with a more aggressive "B" setting available for increased energy recovery.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious interior, though the RS, Premier, and High Country trims only came with second-row captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The Smart Slide function and long rear doors made accessing the third-row seat easier. The Traverse provided generous legroom and headroom in the second row, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third-row seat was suitable for adults if the second-row passengers cooperated by sliding forward. Cargo space was ample, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom and headroom than other affordable EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. It provided 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The ID.4 also had a towing capacity of 2,200 pounds for RWD models and 2,700 pounds for AWD models. The 2023 model featured a redesigned center console with a conventional lid and a better spot for a phone, as well as three-zone climate control with rear-seat controls and heated outboard rear seats.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LS and LT Cloth models, while other trims received 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. The RS trim added a Bose premium sound system and a digital rearview mirror. The voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, making it easy to use the infotainment features.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 upgraded to a standard 12.0-inch touchscreen for all models, replacing the previous 10.0-inch screen on lower trims. The infotainment system received software updates for improved responsiveness and continued to offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The ID.4's user interface included haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel, which could be distracting, but the voice recognition system mitigated this issue. The ID.Light feature provided visual cues for navigation and drive modes, enhancing the driving experience.

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 added adaptive cruise control, a higher-speed automatic emergency braking system, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of writing.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. The 2022 model, similar to the 2023 version, earned the IIHS' highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating. The ID.4 came with standard driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear park distance control, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and VW's Travel Assist 2.0. The 2023 model added Park Assist Plus, an automated lane-change feature, and a 360-degree camera system.