2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was a compact crossover that captured the rugged spirit of its larger sibling, the Bronco, while offering a more urban-friendly design. It featured a modern retro aesthetic reminiscent of a Land Rover, with short front and rear overhangs designed for optimal off-road performance. The Bronco Sport's exterior was marked by bold "BRONCO" lettering on the grille and tailgate, with a modest Ford badge on the tailgate. Wheel options varied across trims, with sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches, and the interior boasted a rugged yet tasteful design with an 8-inch infotainment screen and a rotary gear selector.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a larger SUV that offered a more traditional family-friendly design. It underwent a light restyle for the model year, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The Traverse RS trim, which was tested, included blacked-out trim and 20-inch dark gray wheels. The interior was equipped with black leather upholstery and gloss black trim, though hard plastic surfaces were prevalent. The Traverse's design was simple and logical, with easy-to-use controls and a focus on practicality, making it a strong contender in the family SUV segment.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport offered two engine options. The Base, Big Bend, and Outer Banks trims were powered by a 1.5-litre EcoBoost turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. The Badlands model featured a more powerful 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine with 245 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a terrain management system offering up to seven G.O.A.T. modes. The Bronco Sport excelled off-road, thanks to its short wheelbase, independent suspension, and generous ground clearance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, was equipped 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. The Traverse had a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and the SUV delivered a firm yet comfortable ride. However, it was prone to road and wind noise on the highway, and its handling was predictable but somewhat disconnected from the road.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was designed with active buyers in mind, offering clever features like cargo space engineered to hold two 27.5-inch-wheel mountain bikes. It had a roof rated to hold up to 68 kilograms and could tow up to 997 kilograms with the 2.0-litre engine. The cargo area featured a flip-up rear glass and an optional cargo management package with a slide-out work table. The interior offered ample storage compartments, though taller drivers might have found visibility challenging due to the roof overhang and hood bulges.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse provided ample interior space, though the RS, Premier, and High Country trims were limited to seven-passenger seating due to captain's chairs in the second row. The Traverse RS 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. The Traverse offered generous cargo space, with a maximum volume of 2,781 litres, though the third-row seats required adjustment of the second-row seats to fold flat.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring SYNC 3, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and an available Bang & Olufsen sound system. The terrain management system included up to seven G.O.A.T. modes, and trail control technology was available for off-roading. Intelligent access with push-button start was standard on all trims except the Base model.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LS model, with an 8-inch display on higher trims. It offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Traverse RS trim included a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The voice recognition system was effective, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility and safety.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport came standard with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including pre-collision assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a reversing camera. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. The Bronco Sport received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse included Chevy Safety Assist as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS in most categories but had some areas for improvement.