2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was a practical choice for those who needed the utility of a minivan but preferred the styling of an SUV. It offered a balance between affordability and functionality, with prices starting at $39,498 in Canada. The Traverse came standard with all-wheel drive, making it suitable for Canadian winters, although its ground clearance was modest. The 2022 model received a light restyle, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated colour choices. The RS trim, which we tested, included blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, the Traverse RS featured black leather upholstery with contrast stitching, but the use of hard plastics on upper door panels was a downside. The interior layout was simple and logical, with user-friendly controls for the stereo and climate systems.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically large size and distinctive styling. Its front end, reminiscent of a diesel locomotive, featured a tall hood and vertical running lights. The Escalade's design emphasized its bulk, with 22-inch wheels that appeared small against its vast sheet metal. The interior was luxurious, with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, although it lacked a cohesive design theme. The Escalade's cabin was spacious, offering the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs. However, the raised centre console provided limited storage space, and some materials felt less premium than expected. Despite these minor issues, the Escalade's interior was well-appointed, with dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by a single engine option, a 3.6-litre V6 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 when properly equipped, with driving modes for towing, snow, and off-road conditions. The V6 engine provided adequate power for the Traverse's size, and its fuel economy was rated at 11.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, absorbing smaller road imperfections well. However, it felt softer at higher speeds, making it prone to scraping the front air dam on larger road anomalies. On the highway, the Traverse was a capable cruiser, though road and wind noise were noticeable. In mountainous terrain, the Traverse's V6 engine, steering, and brakes performed admirably, but its all-season tires and soft suspension limited its handling prowess.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and an optional 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The diesel engine, which we tested, provided smooth power delivery and a low torque peak, making it well-suited for city driving. The Escalade's gasoline engine had a maximum towing capacity of 3,629 kilograms, slightly more than the diesel. However, the Escalade's ride was unsettled, with its body-on-frame construction and 22-inch wheels contributing to a less comfortable experience compared to unibody SUVs. The Escalade lacked off-road capability, making it less suitable for rugged adventures.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a spacious interior, although the RS, Premier, and High Country trims were limited to seven-passenger seating due to captain's chairs in the second row. 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 facilitated access to the third-row seat. While the second-row captain's chairs provided generous legroom, they lacked leg support and were too reclined for some adults. The third-row seat was adequate for adults if the second-row passengers cooperated by sliding forward. The Traverse boasted ample storage space, including a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo capacity was generous, with 651 litres behind the third row, 1,637 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,781 litres.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a cavernous cabin. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with second-row captain's chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat as standard. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third row folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and the front seats, while adjustable, felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs. Cadillac paid attention to important details, such as dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LS model, while other trims featured an 8-inch high-definition display. The system offered Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and access to connected services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Traverse's voice recognition system was responsive and accurate, reducing frustration when using infotainment features. Visibility was generally good, but the rear liftgate blocked the rearview mirror in its normal view. The available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system were valuable additions for parking and maneuvering.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured an impressive 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. The display was seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, with icons arranged to fit its shape. Cadillac retained physical toggles for climate control and other essential functions. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward to use while driving, and the rotary controller felt like an afterthought. The Escalade's OLED screens provided exceptional resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots. The Escalade also offered advanced tech features, including night vision, augmented-reality navigation, and a 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. An optional Safety Package added rear parking assist sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims featured adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS in most categories but was rated Acceptable in the new side impact test and Poor for its LED headlights and seatbelt reminders. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, with Super Cruise available as an option. Super Cruise provided hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera to ensure attention. While the system occasionally disengaged unexpectedly, it offered smooth and natural responses. The Escalade's safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available.