2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the luxury SUV market, offered a fresh design perspective unburdened by a long legacy. This allowed Genesis to innovate and establish its signature look, drawing some design elements from its G80 sedan sibling. The GV80 featured a striking two-box design with a long hood, short front overhang, and a distinctive grille with a diamond mesh pattern. The SUV's exterior was further enhanced by its Quad Lamp LED headlight array and large aluminum-alloy wheels, ranging from 19 to 22 inches. The rear design mirrored the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 boasted a luxurious and technologically advanced cabin, with a sleek dashboard, a 14.5-inch high-definition display, and high-quality materials like real wood, metal, and leather.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse presented itself as a practical family SUV with a more traditional design. It underwent a light restyle for the model year, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The Traverse offered a range of appearance packages, such as the Redline, Midnight, and Sport Editions, which added blacked-out trim for a sportier look. The RS trim, in particular, showcased dark gray 20-inch wheels and black leather upholstery with contrast stitching. The interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring a logical layout and user-friendly controls. While the materials used were a mix of hard plastics and polished metallic accents, the Traverse provided ample space and comfort for passengers, making it a strong contender in the family SUV segment.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV80's suspension system included independent multi-link suspension and, in the 3.5T models, electronically controlled suspension with road preview. The 3.5T also featured an electronic limited-slip differential for enhanced off-road capability. Fuel consumption for the 2.5T was rated at 11.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway, while the 3.5T was rated at 12.9 L/100 km city and 10.4 highway.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, came with a single engine option: a 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse offered a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms and featured 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. Fuel economy was rated at 11.8 L/100 km combined, with the option to run in front-drive mode to save fuel. The Traverse excelled on highways and in mountainous terrain, offering a pleasant driving experience despite some road and wind noise.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The centre console housed a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capabilities. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The GV80 offered a comfortable second row with power-adjustable seats and a third row available on 3.5T models, increasing passenger capacity to seven. Luxury features included power rear-door closure, three-row climate control, and a standard sunroof.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse provided ample interior space and practicality, with seating for up to seven passengers in RS, Premier, and High Country trims. The Traverse featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row captain's chairs offered a wide pass-through for easy access to the third row, and the Smart Slide function allowed for convenient entry and exit. The Traverse boasted generous cargo space, with 651 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,781 litres with all seats folded. Additional storage compartments were cleverly integrated throughout the cabin, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a state-of-the-art infotainment system featuring a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen with user-configurable split-screen displays. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with over-the-air updates and cloud profiles for personalized settings. The GV80 also offered a digital key function for Android users, Genesis Connected Services, and a head-up display on higher trims. The audio system ranged from a standard nine-speaker setup to a premium Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround system with 21 speakers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LS model, while higher trims received an 8-inch display. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Traverse also featured Teen Driver technology and an available digital rearview mirror. The RS trim included a Bose premium sound system, although it was not particularly impressive. The voice recognition system was praised for its accuracy and ease of use, enhancing the overall infotainment experience.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 received top safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came with 10 airbags, including a front-centre airbag, and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and Highway Driving Assist for enhanced safety and convenience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse included Chevy Safety Assist as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. 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 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.