2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its blunt and bulbous nose, which gave it an aggressive appearance. Over time, however, this design became more familiar and less striking. The SUV's styling included black windshield pillars that created a floating roof effect, and swollen haunches that attempted to balance the overall look. Despite the 20-inch alloy wheels, the exaggerated quarter panels seemed to overwhelm the design. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum trim offered a two-tone interior with soft leather, but the instrument-panel shroud felt cheap and hollow. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system was prone to reflections, and the mix of illumination colours in the gauges created a busy appearance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, was a crossover SUV that offered a more restrained and appealing design. It featured a light restyle with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with redesigned aluminum wheels. The RS trim, which we tested, included blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The Traverse's styling was characterized by crisply tailored lines and tasteful details, making it one of the more attractive vehicles in its segment. Inside, the Traverse RS had a black leather interior with red and light gray stitching, and the design was simple and logically laid out. The switchgear was decorated in matte-finish black, reducing glare and making it easy to use.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, resulting in improved fuel efficiency. It was rated at 6.7 L/100 km in combined driving, with a total output of 243 horsepower. While this was progress in terms of efficiency, the Highlander Hybrid's performance was lacklustre. The drivetrain sounded strained during acceleration, and the steering felt lifeless. The regenerative brakes were an improvement, but the SUV's handling was marred by unwanted body movement. On smooth roads, it demonstrated capable handling, but on uneven surfaces, it became a sloppy mess. The Highlander Hybrid excelled in electric motor torque and EV Mode, but overall, it was not enjoyable to drive.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was equipped with a 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. It had a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms and offered various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The Traverse's V6 engine provided adequate power, and its fuel economy was rated at 11.8 L/100 km in combined driving. The SUV offered a firm yet compliant ride, absorbing smaller road imperfections. On the highway, it excelled, though road and wind noise were noticeable. In mountainous terrain, the Traverse felt more athletic, with its V6 drivetrain, steering, and brakes performing well. However, the all-season tires and softer suspension limited its handling on undulating roads.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum provided comfortable accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with power-adjustable seats and a heated steering wheel. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight, but the Highlander felt narrow, and the third-row seat was uncomfortable with limited legroom and headroom. Storage was adequate but not as generous as the previous generation, and the cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,387 litres with all seats folded.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS featured captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to seven. It offered 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's third-row seat was more accommodating than many rivals, and storage space was abundant, with a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen. Cargo space measured 651 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,781 litres with all seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons. The JBL sound system, however, had mixed audio quality. Toyota's Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice to rear passengers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 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 responsive and accurate, and the digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera were valuable features for improved visibility.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. The system added intersection support and emergency steering assistance. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The RS trim added adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS in most categories but had Acceptable and Poor ratings for side impact and headlights, respectively.