2022 Chevrolet Traverse vs 2022 Land Rover Defender

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its iconic design, reminiscent of the original model with its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood. Despite its retro callbacks, the Defender boasted a modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that added a distinct personality. The interior was spacious, offering more headroom and legroom than its predecessor, and featured a rugged yet sophisticated design with a mix of leather and suede upholstery, exposed metal, and screws, emphasizing its off-road capability without compromising on luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse presented itself as a practical family SUV with a light restyle for the year, featuring new headlights, taillights, and grille designs. The Traverse RS trim, with its blacked-out trim and dark grey 20-inch wheels, was particularly appealing. Inside, the Traverse offered a comfortable and spacious cabin with black leather upholstery and red stitching, though it was criticized for its hard plastic surfaces. The interior layout was simple and logical, with easy-to-use controls and a focus on practicality, making it a suitable choice for families.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A mid-level 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain delivered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. The highlight was the new 518 hp V8 engine, which propelled the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Terrain Response 2 and All-Terrain Progress Control, and offered a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with 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. The Traverse had a tow rating of 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped and offered driving modes for different conditions, including Tow/Haul, Snow, and Off-Road. The V6 engine provided adequate power for everyday tasks, and the Traverse delivered a firm yet comfortable ride. However, it was noted for its road and wind noise on highways and a softer response to larger road anomalies, which could lead to scraping the front air dam.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatility with its seating configurations. The two-door Defender 90 had 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, though accessing them was challenging. The four-door Defender 110 provided more options, with two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations. Cargo space varied, with up to 1,875 litres available in two-row models. The interior emphasized functionality, with a large centre-console storage bin and optional roof racks and cargo boxes for additional storage.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in RS trim, featured captain’s chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to seven. The interior was equipped with power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and triple-zone climate control. The Smart Slide function and long rear doors facilitated access to the third row. Cargo space was generous, with 651 litres behind the third row and up to 2,781 litres with all seats folded. The Traverse also offered hidden storage compartments for added convenience.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came with a standard Pivi Pro infotainment system featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on most trims, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The system was praised for its graphics and menu layouts, though the touchscreen required a firm touch. A surround-view camera system was standard, with optional features like a 14-speaker Meridian audio system and head-up display.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the LS model, with an 8-inch high-definition display on higher trims. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity for two smartphones, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Traverse RS trim included a Bose premium sound system, though it was not particularly impressive. The voice recognition system was effective, and the available digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera enhanced visibility.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender included standard driver-assist features like lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. The Defender had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, which was common for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse came with Chevy Safety Assist as standard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and rear pedestrian alert. 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.