2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2023 Lexus RX

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 range of trims, starting from the base LS at $39,498 in Canada, with all-wheel drive as standard. The Traverse underwent a light restyle for 2022, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with updated colour choices. The RS trim, priced at $52,997, showcased blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels, making it one of the more appealing vehicles in its segment. Inside, the Traverse RS featured black leather upholstery with red and light gray stitching, though the use of hard plastic on upper door panels was a downside. The interior was logically laid out, with easy-to-use controls for the stereo and climate systems.

The 2023 Lexus RX, built in Canada, continued into its fifth generation with a design that was shorter in height but broader in width and longer in wheelbase. It maintained the same overall length as its predecessor but offered more cargo space. The RX's exterior styling was modern, with a spindle-style grille, upswept body sides, and a light-blade taillight design. Inside, the RX featured a modern interior with fewer buttons, digital instrumentation, and a choice of 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen displays. The quality of materials was high, with options for NuLuxe artificial leather or genuine leather. The RX 350 was available in various trims, with Canadian pricing starting at $58,650. The RX's interior was comfortable, though taller passengers might find headroom tight.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse was powered by 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 driving modes for different conditions. The V6 engine provided adequate power, though it could whine under acceleration. The Traverse's fuel economy was rated at 11.8 litres per 100 kilometres, with our test vehicle achieving 11.3 L/100 km. The ride quality was pleasant, though road and wind noise were noticeable on the highway. The Traverse handled well in the mountains, with a flat cornering attitude, but the RS trim's tires were not particularly engaging.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre inline four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo-four offered better torque and fuel economy than the previous V6, though it lacked refinement. The RX 350 Executive trim displayed occasional torque steer and excess body motion, while the F Sport 3 trim felt more secure with its adaptive suspension. The RX 350 AWD was estimated to average 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres, with our results slightly higher. The RX felt quicker than its 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time suggested, providing a satisfying driving experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS offered seating for seven with captain's chairs in the second row. It featured power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The Smart Slide function made accessing the third row easier, though the third-row seats were less comfortable than those in a Chevy Tahoe. The Traverse provided ample storage space, with a hidden compartment behind the infotainment screen and another under the cargo floor. Cargo space measured 651 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,781 litres with all seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 provided comfortable seating, with the F Sport 3 package offering sport seat bolsters for better support. The RX 350 Executive trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was roomy, though taller passengers might find headroom tight. The RX offered useful storage areas, with cargo space measuring 838 litres behind the second row and 1,308 litres with the rear seat folded. While improved, the cargo space was still not generous for the segment.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth connectivity, 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 digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera were appreciated features.

The 2023 Lexus RX introduced the new Lexus Interface multimedia system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and various connected services. The Intelligent Assistant responded quickly to voice commands, though it occasionally provided unrelated results. The RX offered a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, digital instrumentation, and digital key technology. A colour head-up display was available, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured Chevy Safety Assist as standard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features were available, such as blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS in most categories but was rated Poor for its LED headlights.

The 2023 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance systems like lane departure warning and automatic high beams. New features included motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. The RX also introduced semi-autonomous driving technologies like Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist. While impressive, the system had some flaws, such as unmarked adaptive cruise controls in models with a head-up display.