2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Dodge Durango

The 2021 Dodge Durango maintained its muscular stance and athletic styling, reminiscent of its Charger and Challenger siblings. The exterior design, largely unchanged since 2011, was refreshed for the 2021 model year, particularly evident in the high-performance SRT Hellcat model. This version featured a cold-air scoop, twin-pipe exhaust, LED headlamps, and a rear spoiler, enhancing its aggressive look. The Durango offered a variety of wheel options and a choice of 11 exterior colours, allowing for personalization. Inside, the cabin was updated with a new instrument panel and a choice of touchscreen sizes, running the advanced Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The interior materials ranged from cloth to premium leather, with options for contrast stitching and unique seat belt colours, adding a touch of flair.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often compared to a minivan, presented a more traditional SUV appearance with a light restyle for the model year. It featured new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated wheel options and colour choices. The RS trim, which was tested, included blacked-out trim and dark grey 20-inch wheels, contributing to its appealing design. The Traverse's styling was noted for its restraint, with crisp lines and tasteful details. Inside, the RS trim offered black leather upholstery with contrast stitching and a range of practical features, such as a Dual SkyScape Sunroof and a comfortable seating arrangement. Despite some hard plastic surfaces, the interior layout was logical and user-friendly, with easy-to-use controls for the stereo and climate systems.

The 2021 Dodge Durango offered a range of engine options, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing up to 295 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7-litre HEMI V8, standard in the R/T trim, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392 model boasted a 392 HEMI V8 with 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. The pinnacle of performance was the supercharged 6.2-litre HEMI V8 in the SRT Hellcat, generating an impressive 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and AWD was standard in Canada. The Durango's handling was confident, though its chassis showed its age, particularly on rough roads. The SRT models included performance features like SRT Performance Pages and configurable drive modes, enhancing the driving experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a single engine choice: a 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse's towing capacity was 2,268 kilograms, and it featured various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for everyday tasks, and the Traverse's fuel economy was competitive, achieving 11.3 L/100 km in combined driving. The ride quality was generally comfortable, though the suspension could feel soft at higher speeds. On the highway, the Traverse excelled, though road and wind noise were noticeable. The SUV's handling was predictable, with limited body roll and a flat cornering attitude, making it suitable for family road trips.

The 2021 Dodge Durango excelled as a family hauler, offering seating for up to seven passengers across three rows. The front and second-row seats provided ample space for taller occupants, while the third row was more spacious than many competitors. The Durango's cargo space was average for its class, and its fit and finish had improved significantly over the years. The SUV's midsize packaging made it versatile and easy to drive, appealing to families seeking a balance between practicality and style.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in RS trim, offered seating for seven with second-row captain's chairs. The interior featured 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 facilitated access to the third row. While the third-row seating was not as comfortable as some rivals, it was adequate for adults. The Traverse provided generous cargo space, with 651 litres behind the third row and up to 2,781 litres with all seats folded. The SUV's storage solutions, including hidden compartments, were well-designed for family use.

The 2021 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims, while higher trims received a 10.1-inch screen with the Uconnect 5 system. This system was faster and more customizable than its predecessor, offering features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, TomTom navigation, and SiriusXM with 360L. The Durango also offered a rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray and DVD players. The instrument cluster and infotainment screen had unique designs for SRT models, though the analog speedometer was difficult to read.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch touchscreen on the LS model, while other trims received an 8-inch display. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two devices, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims offered an integrated navigation system and a Bose premium sound system. The Traverse's voice recognition system was effective, and the available digital rearview mirror improved rear visibility. The RS trim included a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2021 Dodge Durango's safety features were limited compared to rivals, with a standard back-up camera and federally mandated passive safety features. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS rated the Durango as Marginal for small overlap frontal impact, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star side crash-test rating and a four-star front crash and rollover rating.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, were standard on higher trims. The Traverse RS, Premier, and High Country trims offered adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The IIHS rated the Traverse as Good in most categories, though it received an Acceptable rating for the new side impact test and Poor for its LED headlights.