2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and was offered in the U.S. as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Up front, it featured Hyundai's new vehicle face, with a parametric grille hiding LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The headlights and daytime running lights formed a unique shape resembling the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra's design, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. The rear showcased toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs in all but the base model, helping the Tucson stand out among compact SUVs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, with high-end trims featuring premium fascias, skid plates, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, despite being a glorified minivan, offered a stylish and practical alternative for those needing an SUV. Prices started at $33,700 for the base LS with front-wheel drive, while the High Country trim cost $53,400. All-wheel drive was optional, with a ground clearance of 7.5 inches. For 2022, the Traverse received a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, front bumper, grille designs, and updated color choices. The RS trim, which sat above the LS and LT models but below the Premier and High Country trims, featured blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The Traverse's design was praised for its crisply tailored lines, swollen fenders, and tasteful details, making it one of the most appealing vehicles in its segment.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came in two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain offered 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Tucson Hybrid was more powerful than the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Front-wheel drive Tucsons with the ICE engine had an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. The Tucson Hybrid models were more fuel-efficient, with 37 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. The forthcoming Tucson PHEV was expected to offer 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, with an estimated 25 miles of all-electric range.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured 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 driving modes for Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's bulk, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in combined driving for the AWD model. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride quality, with good handling and predictable behavior. However, the RS trim's all-season tires and the vehicle's tendency to feel disconnected from the road at higher speeds were noted drawbacks.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was a budget-friendly compact SUV with a well-appointed interior. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat as standard, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The Tucson offered ample passenger and cargo space, with more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. The rear seats provided two inches more legroom than the RAV4, and the 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area was comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V. The rear featured a 60-40 split-folding bench seat and a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models. A hands-free liftgate was available on mid-grade models and up.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS, Premier, or 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 made accessing the third-row seat easier. The Traverse offered generous legroom, headroom, and foot room for second-row passengers, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third-row seat was suitable for adults if the second-row seats were slid forward. The Traverse provided ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another 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 all seats folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports as standard. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The larger screen required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchpoints on the center console were flat and difficult to use while driving, making steering wheel controls and voice commands more essential.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse LS and LT Cloth models featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while higher trims had an 8-inch high-definition display. The Traverse offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. Higher trims included an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel, integrated navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a Bose premium sound system. The voice recognition system was praised for its accuracy and responsiveness. The Traverse also offered a digital rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, and a rear cross-traffic alert system.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, rear occupant alert, speed limit assist, and leading vehicle departure alert as standard. Optional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and remote parking assist. Hyundai backed the Tucson with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty, and a 7-year anti-perforation warranty.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, including 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. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control, a high-speed automatic emergency braking system, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received top "Good" ratings in most IIHS collision tests but was rated "Acceptable" in the new side-impact test. NHTSA had not published 2022 Traverse crash-test ratings at the time of writing.