2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance style with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite efforts to enhance its rugged appearance with a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in five trims in Canada, with AWD as standard. The Black Edition, fully loaded with exclusive black leather upholstery and red accents, was priced at $58,806, including destination charges. While the interior boasted quality materials, the design felt reminiscent of a minivan, which, along with its exterior, did not appeal to everyone.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, though akin to a minivan, offered a stylish SUV alternative with a light restyle for the model year. It featured new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, with blacked-out trim options available. The RS trim, priced at $52,997, included black leather upholstery and a sunroof. The Traverse's design was praised for its crisp lines and tasteful details, making it one of the more appealing vehicles in its segment. However, the interior materials were a mix, with hard plastics in areas where comfort was desired.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a torque-vectoring AWD system, offering driving modes for various conditions. The Pilot's fuel economy was rated at 11.0 L/100 km, with a test average of 10.9 L/100 km. The suspension provided a comfortable ride and agile handling, though off-road capability was limited by its ground clearance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It offered a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms and driving modes for different terrains. The Traverse's fuel economy was rated at 11.8 L/100 km, with a test result of 11.3 L/100 km. It provided a firm yet compliant ride, though it was prone to scraping on larger road anomalies. On highways, it excelled, though road and wind noise were noticeable.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered seating for up to eight, with comfortable front seats and optional second-row captain’s chairs. The third-row comfort was average, but storage was abundant, with a power tailgate and generous cargo space. It provided 524 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 3,092 litres with seats folded.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS trim, seated seven with captain’s chairs. It featured power-adjustable front seats and a Smart Slide function for easy third-row access. The third-row comfort was better than many rivals, and storage was ample, with hidden compartments and 651 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,781 litres with seats folded.

The 2021 Honda Pilot included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims offered navigation, wireless charging, and a premium audio system. The Touring trim added a rear-seat entertainment system and Cabin Talk feature. The system was adequate but lacked some modern conveniences.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims included a digital instrumentation panel and a Bose sound system. The voice recognition system was praised for its accuracy, and a digital rearview mirror improved visibility.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. It received favourable crash-test ratings, with some areas for improvement in system refinement.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse included Chevy Safety Assist, with features like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert. It received Good ratings from the IIHS, with some areas needing improvement.