2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport seated five, while the L trim offered a three-row, 7-passenger configuration. The 2022 model retained the modern and sporty design introduced in its 2020 facelift, featuring a revised grille and other exterior enhancements. Competing in the midsize luxury crossover segment, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling, characterized by sharp character lines and angular features, particularly in the front and rear. The F Sport trim, the most athletic in appearance, included 20-inch wheels, black-housing outside mirrors, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes.

Inside, the RX maintained a luxury appeal across all trims, with the F Sport adding a sporty touch. The cabin offered nearly a dozen color combinations, with the F Sport featuring model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. Non-F Sport models could be optioned with a mix of NuLuxe or semi-aniline leather seats and various metal and wood trims. Despite the high-quality materials, the center stack felt dated due to an abundance of buttons. Comfort was a mixed bag, with the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim lacking cushioning and lumbar support. The limited-edition Black Line trim added exclusive black-colored features and contrast gray stitching for a premium look.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, priced from $33,700 for the base LS with front-wheel drive, offered a range of trims up to the High Country at $53,400. All-wheel drive was optional across the lineup, though the 7.5-inch ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities. The 2022 model received a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, bumper, grille designs, and updated color choices. The RS trim, our 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 and tasteful details, maintaining a level of styling restraint.

Inside, the Traverse RS came with black leather upholstery, red and light gray contrast stitching, and gloss black trim. The materials were a mix of hard plastics and polished metallic accents. The interior layout was simple and logical, with matte-finish black switchgear reducing glare. The stereo controls and cabin temperature adjustments were user-friendly. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, absorbing smaller road imperfections while requiring caution over larger bumps. On the highway, it provided a pleasant ride despite some road and wind noise. The V6 engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivered 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, offering adequate power for its size.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two electric motors for a total of 308 horsepower. Both powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard on the RX 350 and all-wheel drive optional. The hybrid RX came exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked true sporty performance, with an engine note more akin to a turbocharged four-cylinder and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive variable suspension, sport steering, and a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, but the drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport+) offered minimal differences in driving dynamics.

The RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and providing a serene ride. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, with slight drops for all-wheel drive and three-row models. The RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined, with 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

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, though it could whine under acceleration. The Traverse AWD had an EPA rating of 20 mpg combined, with our test vehicle achieving 20.9 mpg.

The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, absorbing smaller road imperfections while requiring caution over larger bumps. On the highway, it provided a pleasant ride despite some road and wind noise. The V6 engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivered 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, offering adequate power for its size. The Traverse felt more athletic than some rivals, 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 standard two-row Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults, with a snug fit for five. Front headroom was 39.4 inches, rear headroom 39.1 inches, front legroom 44.1 inches, and rear legroom 38.0 inches. The three-row L models, on the same wheelbase, had limited space for anything but groceries. The RX 350L had a 2/3/2 seating configuration, with optional second-row captain's chairs. Cargo space in the two-row RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row models offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats upright, 23.03 cubic feet with the third row down, and 58.48 cubic feet with both rows folded. The rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the high load-in height was a drawback. However, the RX had thoughtful interior features like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, with RS, Premier, or High Country trims, offered seven-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs. Our Traverse RS 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 third-row access easier. The all-black cabin and lack of ventilated front seats were not issues in moderate temperatures. The eight-way power driver's seat was comfortable, and second-row passengers had generous legroom, headroom, and foot room, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support.

The second-row captain's chairs provided a wide pass-through for easier third-row access, and the Smart Slide seats tilted and slid forward even with a child safety seat installed. The third-row seat was adequate for adults if the second-row passengers cooperated, though not as comfortable as in a Chevy Tahoe or Volkswagen Atlas. The Traverse offered abundant storage, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space was 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet maximum. However, the second-row seats needed to be slid forward for the third-row seats to fold flat.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen display, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved 5.5 inches closer to the driver in the 2020 refresh, the screens were still ergonomically unfriendly. The cove design created a lip that partially blocked icons and forced awkward tapping. The touchscreen was responsive, but the alternatives—voice commands and a touchpad—were frustrating. The touchpad was hypersensitive and unintuitive, and the drive mode selector's placement next to it caused confusion. However, the RX offered quality tech features like six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, premium audio systems, navigation, and heated and ventilated seats. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse LS and LT Cloth models had a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while other trims had an 8-inch high-definition display. Premier and High Country trims featured an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel. Both systems offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. Teen Driver technology allowed parents to program a keyfob and receive a driving report card. The 8-inch system included navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and more in-vehicle apps, including Alexa Built-in. A Bose premium sound system was standard from RS trim, though it was unimpressive.

The Traverse's Chevrolet Infotainment System 3 technology was excellent, with responsive voice recognition. The digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera were useful, especially with the rear liftgate blocking visibility. The RS trim's rear cross-traffic alert system was also appreciated.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system with cyclist and pedestrian detection, and intelligent high beams. Additional standard features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The Lexus app offered Collision Assistance for documenting and filing accident reports. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the top-tier "plus" designation due to headlight ratings. The NHTSA gave the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

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 LS trim added rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert, standard on other trims. The RS, Premier, and High Country trims had adaptive cruise control, high-speed automatic emergency braking, and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Safety Alert Seat was exclusive to Premier and High Country trims. The Traverse's driving aids were accurate and refined, with the option to deactivate some features. The IIHS had not rated the Traverse's headlights or driving-assistance systems but gave it top "Good" ratings in collision tests, except for an "Acceptable" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not published 2022 Traverse crash-test ratings at the time of writing.