2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Kia Sportage

The 2022 Kia Sportage featured a design that was both striking and controversial. Its tiger-nose grille, while successful on other Kia models, seemed out of place on the Sportage, resembling a Halloween costume mustache. Despite this, the SUV boasted impressive design elements, such as the Porsche-like running lights and Volkswagen-inspired symmetry. The Sportage's 19-inch alloy wheels and planted stance added to its stylish appeal. Inside, the Sportage embraced a Germanic design with a black dashboard, polished metallic accents, and straightforward instrumentation. The use of buttons and knobs made the interior user-friendly, enhancing the upscale feel of the vehicle.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a more traditional SUV aesthetic, with a light restyle that included new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The Traverse RS trim featured blacked-out trim and dark grey 20-inch wheels, contributing to its appealing look. Inside, the Traverse RS was equipped with black leather upholstery, red and grey stitching, and gloss black trim. While the materials were a mix of hard plastics and metallic accents, the layout was logical and user-friendly. The Traverse's interior design focused on practicality, with easy-to-use controls and a comfortable cabin environment.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered two engine options. Most models came with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. The Sportage SX, however, featured a more powerful 237 hp engine with 260 lb-ft of torque, providing a lively driving experience. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and the Dynamax all-wheel-drive system was standard on most trims. The Sportage SX delivered quick acceleration, though the torque curve was narrow. The suspension provided a smooth ride, with a hint of body roll, and the SUV felt sporty in turns, though not as refined as some competitors.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with a single engine option: a 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The Traverse 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 during testing. The Traverse offered a firm yet compliant ride, with good highway performance, though road and wind noise were noticeable. The suspension limited body roll, but the tires could feel disconnected on uneven surfaces.

The 2022 Kia Sportage, though compact, provided a surprisingly roomy passenger compartment. The SX trim offered luxurious features like perforated leather seats with power adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom and amenities like air vents and USB ports. However, cargo space was limited, with a maximum of 1,703 litres when the rear seats were folded. The Sportage's smart liftgate technology added convenience, though it could be turned off if not needed.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, with its three-row seating, offered ample space for passengers and cargo. The RS trim featured power-adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The second-row captain’s chairs provided easy access to the third row, though they reduced seating capacity to seven. The Traverse offered generous cargo space, with 651 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,781 litres. The SUV included clever storage solutions, such as hidden compartments and Smart Slide second-row seats for easier access.

The 2022 Kia Sportage came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. The SX trim added UVO Intelligence services, satellite radio, wireless charging, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system. While the infotainment system was user-friendly, it lacked advanced features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless smartphone mirroring.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a digital instrumentation panel and a Bose sound system. The Traverse's infotainment system was praised for its voice recognition capabilities and included features like a Wi-Fi hotspot and Teen Driver technology. The available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility and safety.

The 2022 Kia Sportage offered a range of safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The SX trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received favourable crash-test ratings, with the SX earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and a rear pedestrian alert system. The Traverse received Good ratings from the IIHS, though it scored lower in some areas.