2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Kia Telluride was available in four trim levels in Canada, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD): EX, SX, SX Limited, and SX Limited Nightsky Edition. The base pricing ranged from $46,195 to $55,695, excluding destination charges of $1,895. The Telluride EX was noted for its value, but many opted for the SX Limited trim, which offered luxury features like premium stitched Nappa leather and a head-up display. The SX Limited Nightsky Edition introduced a blacked-out aesthetic with gloss black 20-inch aluminum wheels and a unique grille insert. The Telluride's styling was widely praised, with its exterior and interior design receiving high marks for quality and contemporary execution. However, the interior was limited to black unless one chose the SX Limited trim for light grey leather.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while often compared to a minivan, offered a practical SUV option with a starting price of $39,498 in Canada, plus a $1,900 destination charge. AWD was standard, and the Traverse featured a light restyle for 2022, including new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, which was tested, featured blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The Traverse's design was noted for its crisp lines and tasteful details, making it one of the more appealing vehicles in its segment. Inside, the Traverse RS came with black leather upholstery and gloss black trim, though the use of hard plastic on upper door panels was a downside. The interior layout was simple and logical, with user-friendly controls for stereo and climate functions.

The 2021 Kia Telluride was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. It featured Kia’s Drive Mode Select with options like Snow, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart. The AWD system included a low-speed Lock function for maximum traction, complemented by 20.3 centimetres of ground clearance. The Telluride's suspension tuning minimized head-toss, providing a firm yet compliant ride. It averaged 11.5 L/100 km in combined driving, slightly above the official rating of 11.3 L/100 km.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft 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's V6 was well-suited to its size, and it returned 11.3 L/100 km on the test loop, better than the official rating of 11.8 L/100 km. The Traverse provided a firm yet compliant ride in town, though it felt softer at higher speeds, which could lead to scraping the front air dam on larger road anomalies. On highways, it was comfortable but had noticeable road and wind noise.

The 2021 Kia Telluride excelled in comfort and utility, with a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs offered heating and ventilation, and the third-row seat was accessible via a button that tilted and slid the second-row seat. The Telluride provided 601 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,455 litres with seats folded. A smart hands-free power liftgate added convenience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row captain’s chairs allowed for easy access to the third row, which could accommodate adults with some adjustments. The Traverse offered 651 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,781 litres with seats folded. It included a hidden storage compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor.

The 2021 Kia Telluride came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. It allowed pairing of two smartphones via Bluetooth and included wireless charging. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice-recognition system had room for improvement. A 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was standard on SX trim, and Limited grades added a head-up display.

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

The 2021 Kia Telluride included eight standard safety features, such as blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic emergency braking. SX trim added front parking sensors and a Blind-Spot View Monitor. It earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, despite a 4-star frontal-impact result.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with Chevy Safety Assist, including forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS in most categories but was rated Poor for its LED headlights and seatbelt reminders. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of review.