2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive exterior styling, with a boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare tire, and flat hood that visually tied it to the original version and classic Series Land Rovers. Despite these retro callbacks, the design was thoroughly modern, featuring rounded corners for better aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that gave the Defender a unique personality. The modern Defender was also much larger than its predecessor, offering improved interior space and ergonomics.

Inside, the Defender balanced rugged character with modern comfort. The upright driving position of the original was replaced with a more comfortable setup that still allowed good outward visibility. The interior design included bare metal and exposed screws for a rugged look, complemented by metal trim on the steering wheel. Even the high-end Defender 90 V8 model featured a mix of leather and suede upholstery, making it more practical for off-road adventures without worrying about ruining the interior.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often seen as a glorified minivan, offered a practical and stylish alternative for those needing an SUV. Prices started at $33,700 for the base LS model with front-wheel drive, while the top-tier High Country trim cost $53,400. All-wheel drive was available across the lineup, though its 7.5-inch ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities to well-groomed trails and snowy conditions.

For 2022, the Traverse received a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, a refreshed front bumper, modified grille designs, redesigned aluminum wheels, and updated color choices. Our RS trim test vehicle featured blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, making it one of the most appealing vehicles in its segment. The Traverse's design showcased crisply tailored lines, swollen fenders, and tasteful details, demonstrating a level of styling restraint that was becoming rare in the SUV market.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered three powertrain options. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The new-for-2022 V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. All models used a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case.

The V8 model also included an electronic active rear differential, Dynamic drive mode, and unique transmission and suspension tuning for sportier handling. Despite its off-road focus, the Defender was impressively comfortable on pavement, with a suspension that absorbed bumps well and minimized noise from the 22-inch tires. The Defender's off-road capabilities were bolstered by a 4WD system with low range, good approach, departure, and breakover angles, and up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance with the optional air suspension. It also had an 8,201-pound maximum towing capacity.

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. The Traverse had a tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped and offered Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road driving modes. The V6 engine provided adequate power for everyday tasks, and the official EPA fuel economy rating for the AWD model was 20 mpg in combined driving.

In town, the Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, absorbing smaller road imperfections well. On the highway, it provided a comfortable ride, though road and wind noise were more noticeable. The Traverse's handling was predictable and trustworthy, with good performance from the V6 drivetrain, Active Return Assist steering, and extended-life Duralife brakes. However, the RS trim's all-season tires and the vehicle's tendency to feel disconnected from the road at higher speeds were drawbacks.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, which were surprisingly comfortable in the two-door Defender 90 model. However, accessing them was challenging, and cargo space was limited. The four-door Defender 110 model offered more versatility, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Three-row models had 11.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, 35.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 70.4 cubic feet with the second row folded. Two-row versions offered 18.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 51.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The Defender's interior design emphasized functionality, with the shifter and climate-control knobs placed on a shelf extending from the dashboard, leaving room for a large caged storage space below. The center-console storage bin was one of the largest outside a full-size pickup truck and could be equipped with refrigeration. Optional exterior storage solutions included a basket-style roof rack and cargo boxes that mounted to the side pillars.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS, Premier, or High Country trims, featured captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to seven. Our RS test vehicle had 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 all-black cabin was comfortable, with generous legroom, headroom, and foot room for second-row passengers, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support.

The Traverse's third-row seat was suitable for adults if the second-row passengers cooperated by sliding forward. Storage space was abundant, with a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space behind the third-row seats measured 23 cubic feet, expanding to 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 98.2 cubic feet with both rows folded. However, the second-row captain's chairs needed to be slid forward to fold the third-row seats, which could be inconvenient.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, and an 11.4-inch touchscreen was newly available for 2022. The graphics and menu layouts were user-friendly, though the screen required a firm touch to respond. Optional features included a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, head-up display, and a surround-view camera system, which was particularly useful for off-roading.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on LS and LT Cloth models, while other trims received an 8-inch high-definition display. Higher trims also featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. Both infotainment systems supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. Teen Driver technology was standard, allowing parents to monitor their child's driving habits.

The 8-inch touchscreen system could be upgraded with navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and additional in-vehicle apps, including Alexa Built-in. A Bose premium sound system with seven speakers was standard on RS trim and above. The voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, making it easy to use. The Traverse's available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system enhanced visibility and safety.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with standard driver-assist features, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adapter. Blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured standard Chevy Safety Assist on all trims, 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 LS trim added rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing, but it received top "Good" ratings in most collision-related tests.