2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Nissan Murano

The 2021 Nissan Murano, once a pioneer in design, had settled into a more conventional aesthetic with its L-shaped LED headlights and contoured front end. Its interior maintained a conservative style, prioritizing comfort and ease of use over flashy innovations. This approach made it an ideal choice for those seeking a reliable and comfortable SUV for daily commutes and long road trips. The Murano's cabin layout was intuitive, with controls conveniently placed to minimize any learning curve for drivers.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse presented itself as a practical choice for those needing a spacious SUV without the bulk of a larger vehicle. It underwent a subtle restyle, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated color options. The Traverse RS trim, with its blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels, offered a stylish yet restrained appearance. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and a logical layout, though it was marred by the use of hard plastics in some areas. Despite this, the Traverse remained one of the more appealing vehicles in its segment, offering a balance of style and practicality.

The 2021 Nissan Murano was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided strong low-speed acceleration, making it well-suited for city driving. However, the CVT tended to dull the engine's power at higher speeds, which could be a drawback for those seeking quick highway overtakes. The Murano prioritized comfort, offering a smooth ride that absorbed road imperfections well, though its towing capacity was limited to 1,500 pounds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup allowed the Traverse to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, making it a more capable choice for those needing to haul trailers. The Traverse offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road, to adapt to different conditions. While the V6 engine could be a bit noisy under acceleration, it provided adequate power for the vehicle's size. The Traverse's ride quality was generally pleasant, though it required careful handling over larger road imperfections to avoid scraping the front air dam.

The 2021 Nissan Murano offered up to 67 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 32.1 cubic feet with them in use. While this was less than some competitors, the Murano excelled in passenger comfort, providing ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The focus on two-row seating allowed for a more spacious and comfortable experience for passengers, with the second-row seats offering partial reclining functionality.

In comparison, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse provided generous cargo space, with 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 98.2 cubic feet. The Traverse's interior was designed with family convenience in mind, featuring Smart Slide second-row seats for easy access to the third row. While the third-row seating was not as comfortable as some larger SUVs, it was adequate for adults when the second-row seats were adjusted. The Traverse also offered numerous storage solutions, including hidden compartments and door panel storage, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2021 Nissan Murano came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a user-friendly interface with hard buttons and dials for easy navigation. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with available upgrades such as an 11-speaker Bose premium stereo system and navigation.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on lower trims, with an 8-inch high-definition display on higher trims. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones simultaneously. The Traverse's infotainment system was praised for its excellent voice recognition capabilities, making it easy to use while driving. Additional features included a digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera, and rear cross-traffic alert, enhancing the vehicle's overall technology package.

The 2021 Nissan Murano was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included features like reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Additional safety features such as adaptive cruise control and a surround-view parking monitor were available as options.

For the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, Chevy Safety Assist was standard across all trims, offering forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. While the Traverse's safety systems were generally effective, it lacked more advanced driving aids like lane-centering assist. The Traverse received top ratings in most collision tests, though it was rated "Acceptable" in a new side-impact test.