2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness stood out with its elevated stance, offering 9.5 inches of ground clearance, which was 0.8 inches higher than other Outback models. This gave it a more rugged appearance, akin to a Jeep, with aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection trim, and improved approach and departure angles due to redesigned bumpers. Additional design features included a unique grille, black 17-inch wheels, blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents, and a matte black hood decal. The roof rack and rail system were new, supporting a 700-pound static load, and the exclusive Geyser Blue paint hue added to its distinctiveness.

Inside, the Outback Wilderness featured a dark gray and black cabin with StarTex water-repellant upholstery, heated seats, a black headliner, Gunmetal Gray interior trim, Anodized Copper stitching, brushed aluminum pedals, and all-weather floor mats. The rear seatbacks and cargo tray were waterproof, enhancing its practicality. These modifications injected personality into the Outback's styling, making it stand out from standard versions. The Outback Wilderness was priced at $36,995 plus a $1,125 destination charge, with our test car totaling $39,965.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse received a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, a fresh front bumper, modified grille designs, redesigned aluminum wheels, and updated color choices. The RS trim, which we tested, featured blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. Despite its minivan-like practicality, the Traverse's styling was appealing, with crisply tailored lines, swollen fenders, and tasteful details. Our silver RS test vehicle, equipped with AWD and a Dual SkyScape Sunroof, had an MSRP of $48,895, including the destination charge.

Inside, the Traverse RS had black leather upholstery with red and light gray contrast stitching, black carpets, a black headliner, 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 and easy-to-use stereo and climate controls. The Traverse's handling was predictable, and it felt more athletic than some rivals, though the RS trim's all-season tires and soft suspension limited its performance on undulating roads.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine, shared with the turbo Outback XT models, provided ample power for the 3,896-pound SUV, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. The EPA estimated fuel efficiency at 24 mpg in combined driving, though our test averaged 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route.

The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. While the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience during maximum acceleration, it was generally adequate for most driving situations. The Wilderness trim's standout features included 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles. The dual-function X-Mode traction system, hill descent control, and revised final-drive ratios enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-liter V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse had a tow rating of 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, with Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road driving modes. The V6 engine provided sufficient power for the Traverse's bulk, and our test vehicle returned 20.9 mpg in combined driving.

In town, the Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, though it required careful handling over speed humps and drainage dips to avoid scraping the front air dam. On the highway, the Traverse excelled, though road and wind noise were more pronounced than desired. In the mountains, the Traverse felt athletic, with responsive steering, effective brakes, and limited body roll. However, the RS trim's all-season tires and soft suspension limited its performance on undulating roads.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way for the front passenger. The rear seat offered generous space for two adults or three kids, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also had a robust roof rack with a 220-pound dynamic load and a 700-pound static load rating.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS had power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row captain's chairs reduced seating capacity to seven but provided a wide pass-through for easier third-row access. The Smart Slide function allowed the second-row seats to tilt and slide forward, even with a child safety seat installed. The third-row seat was suitable for adults if the second-row seats were adjusted forward. The Traverse offered 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 seats, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 98.2 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which dominated the center of the dashboard. While it had physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control, most functions required using the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, it featured PIN code entry technology, allowing the key fob to be left inside the vehicle during outdoor activities.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in LS and LT Cloth models, while other trims had 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. Higher trims had an 8-inch digital instrumentation panel and an optional navigation system. The RS trim came with a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The voice recognition system was effective, and the digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility and maneuverability.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Wilderness trim also had steering-responsive headlights, blind-spot warning, lane-change assistance, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for 2021.

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