2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors were a standout, making it easy to load children into car seats even in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey offered a comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpool groups with ease. Its cargo space was impressive, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded down or removed. Despite its practicality, the Odyssey faced image challenges, as some consumers preferred the perceived style of SUVs. However, the Odyssey's design, with its kinked sliding doors and stylish Touring trim, added a touch of flair to the minivan segment.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse presented itself as a stylish and versatile SUV, appealing to those who preferred the SUV image over a minivan. The Traverse featured a restyled exterior with new headlights, taillights, and grille designs, along with various appearance packages for added customization. The RS trim, with its blacked-out trim and 20-inch wheels, was particularly attractive. Inside, the Traverse offered a spacious cabin with black leather upholstery and thoughtful design elements. While it lacked the sliding doors of a minivan, the Traverse's Smart Slide second-row seats and wide door openings made accessing the third row easier. Overall, the Traverse combined style and practicality, making it a compelling choice for families.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it lacked all-wheel drive or hybrid options, the Odyssey offered a fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 10.4 L/100 km. The Odyssey's driving experience was enjoyable, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes tended to heat up on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration and noise, especially when fully loaded.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. It offered a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms and various driving modes, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The Traverse's fuel economy was rated at 11.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a test result of 11.3 L/100 km. The Traverse provided a firm yet comfortable ride, absorbing road imperfections well. On highways, it excelled, though road and wind noise were noticeable. In mountainous areas, the Traverse demonstrated athleticism, with its V6 engine, steering, and brakes performing admirably. However, its all-season tires and softer suspension affected its handling on undulating roads.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, it featured quality leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. The Odyssey excelled in storage space, with numerous compartments and a handy onboard vacuum cleaner. Its Magic Slide second-row seats provided flexibility for child seat placement and access to the third row. The third-row seat was comfortable for adults, and the Odyssey boasted 929 litres of cargo space behind it. Folding the third row expanded cargo capacity to 2,452 litres, while removing the second-row seats created a massive 3,984 litres of space.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, in RS trim, offered a seven-passenger seating configuration 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 second-row seats and wide rear doors facilitated access to the third row. While the Traverse's third-row seat wasn't as comfortable as some competitors, it provided better accommodations than many rivals. Storage space was abundant, with hidden compartments and generous cargo capacity. Behind the third row, the Traverse offered 651 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,637 litres with the third row folded. The maximum cargo volume was 2,781 litres.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring trim was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. It featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology, allowing the driver to monitor and communicate with rear passengers. The rear entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display and wireless headphones. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system was considered outdated, lacking modern features and a larger screen. The navigation system required specific voice commands and was less intuitive than smartphone-based options.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, depending on the trim level. It supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Traverse's voice recognition system was praised for its accuracy and ease of use. The RS trim featured a Bose premium sound system, though it wasn't particularly impressive. The Traverse also offered a digital rearview mirror and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings or responding abruptly. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured Chevy Safety Assist as standard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse's safety systems were generally accurate and refined, with options to customize settings. The IIHS rated the Traverse as Good in most categories but noted areas for improvement in side impact tests and headlight performance. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of review.