2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a practical choice for those who needed an SUV but didn't want to splurge on a larger, more expensive vehicle. Starting at $33,700, it offered a range of trims up to the High Country at $53,400. The Traverse received a light restyle for 2022, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, which we tested, included blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, making it one of the more visually appealing options in its segment. Inside, the Traverse RS featured black leather upholstery with red and light gray stitching, though the use of hard plastic on upper door panels was a downside.

In contrast, the 2023 Volvo XC90 showcased a significant evolution in Volvo's design language. Gone were the days of boxy, utilitarian shapes; the XC90 presented a purposeful yet elegant exterior. The front end was solid but not overly aggressive, and the "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch. Our test vehicle, in Platinum Gray with 21-inch wheels, exuded a sense of understated luxury. Inside, the XC90 was a blend of high-quality materials, including Nappa leather and wood deco inlays. The minimalist design was both beautiful and functional, though it did come with some storage limitations.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by 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. This setup allowed the Traverse to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The V6 engine provided adequate power for everyday driving, though it could whine under acceleration. The Traverse's fuel economy was rated at 20 mpg combined, and our test vehicle achieved 20.9 mpg. The ride quality was generally pleasant, though the vehicle felt softer at higher speeds, making it easy to scrape the front air dam on larger road anomalies.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines, both featuring mild-hybrid technology. The B5 engine produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the B6 engine, which we tested, offered 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency slightly and made the auto stop-start technology almost imperceptible. The XC90's eight-speed automatic transmission was smooth, and the vehicle handled well despite its size. Road and wind noise were minimal, and the brakes provided a solid, confident feel. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, though it lacked some of the customizable driving dynamics found in other SUVs.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious interior, though opting for higher trims like the RS, Premier, or High Country meant losing the second-row bench seat, reducing capacity to seven passengers. The RS trim featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row Smart Slide function made accessing the third row easier. Cargo space was generous, 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. However, the third-row seats were not as comfortable as those in some competitors.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was elegant but had some storage limitations. The front seats were comfortable, but there was no dedicated space for a cell phone, and the center console bin was small. The second row was reasonably spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 came standard with a second-row bench seat, but opting for captain’s chairs required an upgrade to the B6 engine and an additional $500. Cargo space was limited compared to competitors, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 65.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LS and LT Cloth models, while higher trims received an 8-inch display. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch system also offered navigation, SiriusXM 360L, and Alexa Built-in. A Bose premium sound system was standard on the RS trim. The voice recognition system was excellent, and the digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera were useful features.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system ran on Google OS, integrating Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant. The 12.3-inch driver information display also featured Google Maps. While the natural-language recognition was impressive, many functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, which could be frustrating. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, making some adjustments more cumbersome. However, the ability to issue commands via Google Home devices was a neat feature.

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 had not yet been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist, which helped maintain distance and lane position. These technologies worked well even in challenging conditions, such as Boston traffic.