- Compare the specs of these three-row SUVs: Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride
- How much is the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse?
- How does the Traverse compare to other three-row SUVs?
- Final thoughts on the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse seems like a fairly typical three-row seven-seater (eight is an option on some trims). On paper, it checks a lot of boxes, especially for families, but unfortunately, that’s not enough to win over buyers in the three-row segment. I’m not surprised. There’s a lot of competition, including the top-selling three-row in Canada, the Toyota Highlander.
Personally, I liked the Traverse better than the Highlander, but for reasons that will likely be irrelevant in the coming years, especially as we shift to new technology and more touch screens.
Both SUVs are great options, but if you’ve read my Highlander review then you know that despite it being a top-seller, it just seemed to be missing something for me — a certain je ne sais quoi. On the other hand, the Traverse was actually missing quite a few things — like heated seats and heated steering wheel, due to chip shortages — and yet, I still gravitated towards this imperfectly simple vehicle.
Compare the specs of these three-row SUVs: Chevrolet Traverse vs Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot vs Kia Telluride
Truthfully, it was the climate control buttons that won me over. Usually, cars have one button that circles through modes of where you want the heat/air blasted at you. If you happen to click one too many times, then you’re circling back to get to the right combination of heated feet and face. It seems like such a #firstworldproblem and it totally is, because I never even knew I wanted something simpler until I got it in the Traverse. You want heat on your feet? Press that button. You want it off? Press a different button, whatever you want, you got it, simply.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
I’ve probably spent far too long talking about climate control buttons, but I’m not done. The worst thing about these controls is that I can only assume they won’t be around for too much longer. It’s so basic and car manufacturers love to change things that don’t need to be changed (think mode selectors and placement of the parking brake), and these buttons will probably be one of the next things to go. As long as the climate controls don’t move to a touch screen, I can probably live with the changes. Now I’m done.
And now that we’ve got that out the way…
How much is the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse?
The 2022 Chevrolet Traverse starts at $39,498, which is a bit lower in comparison to many of its competitors. That said, that’s the base model and bumping up two trims to the tested True North puts you back into a bracket of pricing that’s much more in line with three-row SUVs — however, you’re getting much less tech than what you would get in those similar-priced, almost $50k family haulers.
While I loved the simplicity and could easily see myself driving a Traverse daily, it doesn’t feel right to pay $55,413, which is what this tested vehicle costs with the included $1,900 destination charge. But why? Is it just the simple layout that’s throwing me off? When compared to other SUVs (compare the specs of a few popular three-row SUVs), it actually has many of the same safety features, if not more. It even includes similar creature comforts (see below for a couple missing components) like keyless start, remote engine starter, power adjustable front seats, and a 360 view camera, though memory seats are not included at this trim level.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
Technology-wise, it’s got a 10-speaker Bose sound system and wireless charging pad, but that 4.2-inch screen is really lacking in comparison to the bigger ones — which may sound confusing since I just praised the simplicity of the Traverse. If you’re looking for a cool party trick, there’s a button below the screen that can be pressed to automatically move the screen up revealing a secret storage space.
You really do get quite a bit for $55k, but if you’re still looking to penny pinch, don’t worry, Chevrolet has credited a whole $125 for the chip-shortage lack of a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and rear park assist, which leaves me wondering what all the other individual features are worth and how much I could save if they would let me delete a couple other unnecessary features.
How does the Traverse compare to other three-row SUVs?
I already compared it a bit to other vehicles, so let’s break it down a little further and talk about the pros and cons of the Chevrolet Traverse in comparison to its competitors, disregarding the missing components previously mentioned. Aside from its simple layout, the Traverse actually has a lot more in common with these high-tech competitors than you might think. In fact, it often wins in areas where it could possibly count the most.
Pros
- It’s got a competitive amount of cargo space, even with the third row up. Well, not exactly — I have yet to meet the three-row SUV that has adequate cargo space with the third row up, but the Traverse, with 651L, has a bit more than usual. When the third row is folded down, it opens up 1,637L of space, which is way more than I need for a Costco trip and stroller, combined. For comparison, the Highlander has 453L with the seats up, 1,371 with the third row folded.
- Most three-row SUVs — especially at this price point and trim level — including the Highlander, Pilot, and Telluride, are all-wheel-drive, and the Traverse is no different.
- All of the above named SUVs have a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.
- If you’re not a fan of bigger SUVs then this isn’t necessarily a pro, but if you’re a fan of more interior space you’ll be happy to know that the Traverse is one of the longer SUVs with an overall length of 5,230 mm. The Pilot is 4,991 mm long, but its height is just two millimetres shorter than the Traverse’s 1,796 mm.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
Cons
Three-row family haulers rarely do well when it comes to fuel economy, unless we include the Kia Sorento PHEV, which is in a class of its own. However, all the Toyota Siennas are hybrid and cut the fuel consumption by nearly half — but I know, minivans aren’t cool. Still, the Traverse’s combined average of 11.8 L/100 km is a bit higher than the others’ averages, like the Telluride’s 11.3 L/100 km, Pilot’s 11.0, or Highlander’s 10.3.
Final thoughts on the 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
The Traverse isn’t my first choice for a three-row SUV, but it’s far from last. It may not be as stylish as some of the newer vehicles, but that’s okay — it’s working with what it’s got and it’s got a lot to work with.
I truly enjoyed the week with it because it was an easy and smooth drive, the seats were comfortable, and most importantly, my kids had options to sit in various combinations throughout the second and third row. It’s spacious enough to walk through the centre of the second row to get to the back. You can also flip the front seat down and climb in, but the majority of the week saw two car seats strapped into the second row’s captain’s chairs, and therefore flipping was not an option.
2022 Chevrolet Traverse True North Photo by Renita Naraine
But by far, while it may not be the most important feature, those climate control buttons won me over.
Keyword: Millennial Mom's Review: 2022 Chevrolet Traverse