2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, which contributed to a sleeker appearance. The grille was more upright and flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier look compared to the previous model. While it maintained a car-based crossover design, it avoided the rugged styling of competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4. The Equinox's tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia made it less car-like than the Ford Escape, offering a balanced aesthetic for some buyers. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and the materials and fit and finish were decent for the price. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the interior was considered too subdued.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, while resembling a minivan, offered a practical SUV option for those seeking a balance between utility and cost. Starting at $39,498 in Canada, the Traverse came with standard all-wheel drive and a light restyle for the 2022 model year, including new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The RS trim, positioned above the LS, LT, and True North models, featured blacked-out trim and dark gray 20-inch wheels. The Traverse's styling was praised for its crisp lines and tasteful details, making it one of the more appealing vehicles in its segment. Inside, the Traverse RS boasted black leather upholstery with red and light gray stitching, though hard plastic surfaces were prevalent. The interior layout was simple and logical, with easy-to-use controls for stereo and climate functions.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. The Equinox had more torque than most rivals but less horsepower, which was noticeable at higher speeds where the engine felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were also a bit rough. Despite its RS trim, the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of competitors like the Honda CR-V.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 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 V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and the SUV returned a fuel economy of 11.3 L/100 km in combined driving. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, though it was prone to scraping the front air dam on larger road surface anomalies. On the highway, it provided a pleasant ride, though road and wind noise were noticeable. The Traverse's handling was predictable, with good performance from the V6 drivetrain, steering, and brakes.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was somewhat lacking, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and an unobstructed forward view, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres behind the rear seats and 1,809 litres with the seats folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, on the other hand, offered seating for seven with captain's chairs in the second row, though this reduced capacity compared to trims with a second-row bench seat. The Traverse RS featured 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 made accessing the third row easier. The Traverse provided generous legroom, headroom, and foot room for second-row passengers, though the captain's chairs lacked leg support. The third row was suitable for adults if the second-row seats were adjusted, and the Traverse offered ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen. Cargo space was generous, with 651 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,781 litres.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, and the Equinox offered multiple USB ports and power outlets.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LS model, with an 8-inch display on higher trims. It offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Traverse's infotainment system was praised for its voice recognition capabilities, and the RS trim included a Bose premium sound system. The Traverse also offered a digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded the Equinox a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with standard Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. A new Safety Package was optional for the Traverse LS, adding rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received "Good" ratings in most IIHS categories but "Acceptable" in the new side impact test and "Poor" for its LED headlights and seatbelt reminders.