2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation, showcased a mature design that had remained largely unchanged since 2008. Its exterior maintained a classic appeal with a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, avoiding the oversized trends seen in other SUVs. The Sequoia's dimensions were substantial, standing at 77 inches tall, 79.9 inches wide, and 205.1 inches long, with a 122-inch wheelbase. Inside, the Sequoia's age was more apparent, with a dated dashboard and a 7-inch touchscreen that seemed out of place compared to modern SUVs. However, the interior was built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity, making it suitable for families.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a more contemporary design with a light restyle for the model year, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The Traverse RS trim, with its blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, presented a stylish and appealing look. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with contrast stitching and a logically laid-out interior. While hard plastic surfaces were present, the Traverse's design was practical, with easy-to-use controls and a focus on functionality. The Traverse's interior was spacious, with ample room for passengers and cargo, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots provided a payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. However, its weight of 5,730 to 6,000 pounds contributed to its low fuel economy ratings of 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for RWD models. Despite its heft, the Sequoia delivered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its robust construction and independent double-wishbone suspension.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine, generating 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse's tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, with various driving modes for different conditions. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and the SUV returned a fuel economy of 20 mpg in combined driving. The Traverse offered a firm yet comfortable ride, with good handling and predictable behavior on the road. However, its P255/55R20 all-season tires and softer suspension at higher speeds made it feel somewhat disconnected from the road.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and available heated and ventilated front seats. The Sequoia's cargo space was versatile, with 18.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 66.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 120.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. The interior provided ample storage options, including a large center console and door pockets.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in RS trim, offered seating for seven with captain's chairs in the second row. It included power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The Traverse's Smart Slide function and wide rear doors facilitated easy access to the third row. While the third-row seating was not as comfortable as some competitors, it was still better than many rivals. The Traverse excelled in storage space, with a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. It offered 23 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology was somewhat outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, WiFi connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Sequoia Limited added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium audio package. While the Sequoia lacked modern powertrain advancements, it featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety technologies like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a more advanced infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen on LS and LT Cloth models and an 8-inch high-definition display on higher trims. It included Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The Traverse's voice recognition system was highly effective, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility. The RS trim featured a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, which included pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. It also featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and the STAR safety system, which included stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. The Sequoia had a full complement of airbags and other safety features, but it lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse included Chevy Safety Assist as standard, offering forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control 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 had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 Traverse at the time of writing.