2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Acura RDX

The 2021 Acura RDX, particularly in the A-Spec trim, presented a sleek and sporty appearance without resorting to excessive blacked-out trim or aggressive performance cues. Its design changes were subtle yet effective, conveying a sense of sportiness without overpromising on performance. Acura avoided giving the RDX an off-road look, focusing instead on its role as a daily driver and road-tripper. The A-Spec trim sat in the middle of the RDX's trim hierarchy, with a starting price of $50,305, and offered a sporty interior with features like front sport seats, a sport steering wheel, and unique gauges. However, the red markings on the gauge cluster were difficult to read, except at night.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often compared to a minivan, offered a more traditional SUV look with a light restyle for the model year. It featured new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with various appearance packages like the Redline Edition. The RS trim, which was tested, included blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, giving it a stylish yet restrained appearance. The Traverse's interior was equipped with black leather upholstery and gloss black trim, though it had a mix of materials, including hard plastics. The design was simple and logical, with easy-to-use controls, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Acura RDX was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 272 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 280 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the torque-vectoring SH-AWD system, which could deliver up to 70% of engine output to the rear wheels. The RDX offered various driving modes, including Snow, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, enhancing its handling and driving experience. The A-Spec trim came with exclusive 20-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, contributing to its sporty feel. However, the lack of adaptive dampers and rev-matching in Sport modes were noted as areas for improvement.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option, a 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It had a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms and offered driving modes like Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The Traverse provided a firm yet compliant ride, with good handling characteristics, especially in mountainous areas. However, it had more road and wind noise on the highway, and its tires were not as performance-oriented. The Traverse's handling was predictable, making it easy to trust, but it felt disconnected from the road at higher speeds.

The 2021 Acura RDX, despite being classified as a compact SUV, offered impressive passenger and cargo space. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 12-way power adjustment and heating as standard. However, rear-seat comfort was compromised due to the need for a low and flat cargo floor. The RDX provided 835 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,668 litres with the seats folded, with additional storage compartments for organization. Acura quoted a maximum cargo volume of 2,260 litres, though this figure was based on an unconventional loading method.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS trim, featured captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to seven. It offered 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 easier. The Traverse provided generous legroom and headroom, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. It had ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space measured 651 litres behind the third row and 1,637 litres with the seats folded, with a maximum volume of 2,781 litres.

The 2021 Acura RDX featured the True Touchpad Interface infotainment system, which used a touch-sensing pad on the centre console instead of a touchscreen. While it improved upon similar systems from other brands, it still required a learning curve and could be distracting. The RDX included standard satellite radio, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi tethering, and an available navigation system. It also offered smartphone projection, voice recognition, and a premium audio system with 16 speakers in the A-Spec trim.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LS model, while other trims had an 8-inch high-definition display. It offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Traverse's voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, reducing confusion when using the infotainment system. It also featured a digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera, and rear cross-traffic alert system, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2021 Acura RDX was equipped with a suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The RDX earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received four-star ratings for frontal-impact and rollover resistance.

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, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS in most categories but was rated Acceptable in the new side impact test and Poor for its LED headlights and seatbelt reminders. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of review.